Elegant and Athletic: Chrysler 300C SRT8
By Greg Rubenstein
Until a couple of years ago, it had been easy to dismiss American-made sedans that combined luxury and performance. If you were in the market for a Mercedes-Benz, BMW, or Lexus, you likely never gave much thought to a Lincoln, Chrysler, Buick, or even Cadillac—and for good reason, since choices from the domestic manufacturers were largely underperforming front-wheel-drivers with interior quality a distinct notch down from the imports. Then in 2004, Cadillac made a blip on the radar with its hot rod CTS-V. A year later, Chrysler gave buyers seeking speed and comfort an even better reason to visit an American dealer: the knockout 300 sedan.
Though technically not made in the United States (it’s produced in Canada), the 300 is both roomy and stylish. In SRT-8 trim, its luxury is nearly elevated to par with imports costing twice as much, while offering blazing rear-wheel-drive performance that only the most expensive Mercedes-Benz AMG or BMW M models equal.
Since its introduction in 2005, we’ve tested a handful of 300s and enjoyed every one of them, though for different reasons. The V6-equipped base model offers plenty of style, decent performance, and good fuel economy, starting under $25,000. A big step up is the 300C, priced at $36,000. This model gets a 340-hp 5.7-liter Hemi with five-speed auto, 18-inch wheels, leather seats, and dual-zone climate control.
Then there’s our favorite 300C SRT8. With a base price of just over $40,000, Chrysler is stacking up this muscular, well-appointed, and agile sedan against some serious competition. After riding this Hemi from Scottsdale to Las Vegas and back, it’s obvious that this is a serious player in both performance and luxury.
If you’re scoffing at the idea of comparing a Chrysler against a Japanese or European luxury performance sedan, one look at the specs should be enough to at least get your attention. How about this: a 6.1-liter V8 cranking out 425-hp and 420 pound-feet of torque. Mated to a five-speed automatic and turning jumbo 20-inch forged aluminum-alloy wheels shod with superwide Goodyear tires, there is enough power to reach 60 mph in less than five seconds and turn the quarter-mile in a bit over 13 seconds.
For stopping, there are massive slotted brake rotors with snazzy gray-painted four-piston Brembo calipers. This 300 offers up an SRT-tuned suspension that does a great job at delivering a smooth ride while still offering plenty of control.
The 300C SRT8 rides a half-inch lower than the standard 300C. Whether carving up the freeway or zipping about town, this 4,160-pound sedan carries its weight well. It’s not exactly sprightly, and road feel through the power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering isn’t clairvoyantly informative, but both dynamic handling and responsiveness are appropriate for a big sedan with sporting aspirations. It all just works together nicely and feels good, without any untoward drama.
The 300C SRT8 starts out at $40,420. On our test model, Inferno Red Crystal Pearl Coat paint added $255, a power sunroof tacked on an extra $950, and a navigation system with 6-CD/MP3 stereo and hands-free communication bumped it up another $1,770. Uncle Sam sticks this Hemi with a $2,100 gas-guzzler tax, bringing the total to $46,140, including $675 for delivery—all told, a hearty fare, but not out of line for the goods delivered.
Guzzler tax aside, we obtained a respectable 18.5 mpg in heavy-footed mixed-use driving. Virtually every SUV we’ve tested returned worse overall fuel mileage, but trucks are exempt from the tariff. Go figure.
In a crowded field of sedans offering luxury and performance that cost upward of $40,000, the 300C SRT8 stands out for its bold styling, and its performance is a real hoot. This is a sweet feel of a deal.