2023 Chrysler 300 Performance

For the carry-over models, you get a choice of two powerful engines, starting with the 3.6-liter V6 engine that is standard on the first three trims. It can be paired with either rear- or all-wheel drive. With this engine and a rear-wheel drivetrain, the 300 can get from 0 to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds, according to independent tests. That's not blisteringly quick but should be fast enough for most. To unlock even more performance, the 5.7-liter V8 engine is the one to go for as it delivers a strong 363 horsepower and 394 lb-ft of torque. Standard on the Chrysler 300S V8, this engine can power the 300 from 0 to 60 mph in under six seconds, according to Chrysler, although independent testing has shown that this version of the 300 can reach 60 mph in around 5.3 seconds. That's not the quickest option, though. The new 300C gets an even more insane 6.4-liter V8 that pumps out 485 hp and launches the hefty sedan to 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds. It also unlocked a top speed of 160 mph. Despite all this power on tap, the towing capacity of the Chrysler 300 never exceeds 1,000 lbs.

Large-capacity engines sans turbocharging are a sign of the 300's age, but these powerplants deliver their power cleanly. The base 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine produces 292 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, but these figures rise to 300 hp/264 lb-ft for the S V6. This engine can be paired with either RWD or AWD, though the S V6 is limited to AWD only. The S V8 gets the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with a stout 363 hp and 394 lb-ft, but its the new 6.4-liter V8 for the 300C that will entice long-time Chrysler fans. It thrums with a potent 485 hp and 475 lb-ft. Something all three engines have in common, though, is their eight-speed ZF automatic transmission.

The Hemi's lazy nature is reflected in its maximum engine speed of just 5,800 rpm, but in our experience, it moves the big sedan along at an effortlessly rapid pace and emits a pleasing rumble when pushed. Passing slower traffic and merging on the highway is no chore for the big V8, and it's this engine that best suits the 300 as it quickly gets the sedan up to the top legal speed and then some. The V6 isn't bad, but it needs to work harder at higher speeds. Around town, it delivers more than enough power. The transmission is a quick and unfussed unit, only pausing for a bit longer than ideal when stepping heavily on the gas. Both S-badged derivatives come with paddle shifters for drivers who prefer to take more control over proceedings.

All these big engines will ensure fairly regular visits to the pumps. Equipped with the V6 and RWD, the Chrysler 300 returns EPA-rated mileage figures of 19/30/23 mpg across the city/highway/combined cycles. Those numbers drop to 18/27/21 mpg when AWD is added, but the heaviest model on gas is the V8. It will only manage 16/25/19 mpg. Meanwhile, the 300C has not been given an official EPA rating, and Chrysler doesn't seem inclined to share its fuel economy figures with us. Every model shares the same tank with a fuel capacity of 18.5 gallons, so the 300's range in a mix of city/highway driving will vary between 351 and 425 miles. By comparison, the most efficient non-hybrid Toyota Avalon can manage up to 22/32/26 mpg.