2014 Chrysler 300

With four non-SRT and two high-performance SRT trims in the lineup, the Chrysler 300 is available in a total of six different trim levels to choose from. They are 300, 300S, 300C, 300C John Varvatos Luxury Edition, SRT8 Core, and the top-of-the-line SRT8. The 2014 model year does not offer any major improvements other than some minor adjustments in the trim level lineup with reshuffled features lists. The engine choices remain the same between the non-SRT and SRT trims. However, here we will only be looking at the non-SRT trims of the sedan.

Some of the features in the higher trim levels are also available for the lower trim levels, be it as a standalone option or included in the few available packages for the car. Some of the highlight standalone options include a Panoramic sunroof and a 19-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.

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If you want something sporty, then the 300S is definitely the one to go for. Moreover, it also comes with a ton of features as standard without costing a fortune at under $35,000. Thus, it is the most value for money option that you can go for that strikes a good balance between cost and features.

Depending on the trim level, the 2014 Chrysler 300 comes with three engine choices. All the non-SRT trims get powered by the standard 3.6L V6 engine under the hood producing a maximum of 292 HP and 260 lb-ft of torque. Along with a sport-tuned exhaust system, the same engine in the 300S trim gets minor tweaks, bumping the power output to 300 HP and 264 lb-ft of torque. The V6 engine is paired to an 8-speed automatic gearbox, and a rear-wheel drivetrain is standard across the trim levels, with all-wheel being available as an option.

Then there is an optional 5.7L V8 available for all the non-SRT and SRT trims except for the base 300 trim. This engine is good for 363 HP and 394 lb-ft of torque. It is paired with a 5-speed automatic gearbox and standard rear-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive being an option. Speaking of SRT trims, the two SRT trims of the Chrysler 300 are powered by a 6.4L naturally aspirated V8 that produces a maximum of 470 HP and 470 lb-ft of torque. We have covered the SRT trims for you in a separate review. 

With a zero to 60 mph time of 6.3 seconds and 14.8 seconds to complete the quarter-mile, the Chrysler 300 is one of the quicker cars in the segment. However, it is not as quick as the Hyundai Genesis that takes 5.7 seconds from zero to 60 mph and a quarter-mile time of 14.0 seconds. The 153 mph top speed of the Chrysler 300 also makes it one of the fastest in its segment as well.

The 3.6L naturally aspirated V6 engine has an EPA estimated mileage of 19, 31, and 23 MPG respectively in city, highway, and combined for the rear-wheel-drive variant. The all-wheel-drive variant provides a slightly lower 18, 27, and 21 MPG in the same order. These are pretty impressive fuel economy figures for a car of its size and weight, especially the mileage figures of the RWD variants. The sedan comes with a fuel tank capacity of 19.1 gallons, resulting in an overall range of 439 miles.

That being said, you won’t be as impressed if you opt for the optional 5.7L V8. With rear-wheel drive, this engine delivers 15, 25, and 18 MPG in the city, highway, and combined, respectively, with the highway mileage dropping to 23 MPG if you opt for the all-wheel-drive drivetrain. The standard fuel economy figures from the standard V6 engine and rear-wheel drive make the Chrysler 300 one of the best in its segment in terms of fuel economy but by a very small margin.

While Chrysler employed extensive use of soft-touch materials for the car’s interior along with some rich finishes, the interior of the Chrysler 300 does not feel as plush as some of its competitors. With the underwhelming build quality, it does not feel as upscale as some of its rivals. While the space on the inside is ample, the poor quality of materials is used to let the overall experience down. 

The base trim starts with leather upholstery, which carries on to the upper trim levels as well. The 300C John Varvatos Luxury Edition enhances the experience with upgraded leather upholstery with extended leather trim and hand-sanded wood inserts. The top-of-the-line trims provide leather/faux-suede upholstery for its sport seats as well. Overall visibility is also great thanks to the large window frames. The Chrysler 300 can seat five passengers and has a good amount of head, shoulder, and legroom. It has a total cargo capacity of 16.3 cubic feet, which is pretty respectable for its segment. 

While the interior dimensions of the Chrysler 300 and most of its competitors are more or less in a similar ballpark, the Chrysler arguably has one of the better rear-seat headroom and legroom in the competition. But at 44.3-inch, the Hyundai Genesis does take the crown in terms of front-seat legroom. With 20.1 cubic feet of cargo space, Ford Taurus is the most practical option. Major interior features include:

• Power adjustable front seats with power-adjustable lumbar support
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Driver seat memory functions
• Heated rear seat
• Heated steering wheel
• Leather upholstery
• Power rear sunshade

How intuitive is the 2014 Chrysler 300’s infotainment unit?

The 2014 Chrysler 300 features the award-winning Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4” touchscreen display in the center console, which includes features like voice commands, easy-to-use Garmin navigation, 3D map and route guidance graphics, and real-time SiriusXM Traffic depending on the trim level. The 300S upgrades the music system to a more premium 10-speaker sound system from Beats by Dr. Dre. Opting for the 300C trims equips the infotainment system with an In-built navigation system and 6-speaker audio system from Alpine. The base trim starts with features like:

• CD player
• Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity
• Satellite radio
• 6-speaker sound system with AUX and USB connectivity
• 19-speaker Harman Kardon sound system (Optional) 

The Chrysler 300 screams “luxury” from every angle. It has a very unique silhouette, and the overall design looks very much what an executive sedan should look like. Its boxy design might not appeal to everyone, but it does have a very strong road presence. On top of that, some of the trims have their own unique design elements to distinguish among themselves. While the 300S has unique black-out styling elements, the 300C has additional chrome exterior accents. Also, the 300C John Varvatos Luxury Edition comes with a "platinum chrome" exterior trim, while the SRT8 has got black exterior accents.

In terms of exterior dimensions, the Chrysler 300 and its competitors are more or less in a similar ballpark. That being said, Chrysler has a significantly longer wheelbase than most of its competitors. However, while most sedans follow the old-school design philosophy, it is the Hyundai Genesis that looks most modern. When comparing the curb weight, Chrysler is the heaviest, followed by Hyundai Genesis. Few major exterior features include:

• Heated mirrors
• Driver side auto-dimming mirror
• Adaptive and auto-leveling bi-xenon headlamps for the SRT8 trim
• Panoramic sunroof (optional)

The private safety testing agency Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has given the 300 the highest score of Good in all its crash tests, which shows its structural strength. Apart from the structural rigidity, standard safety tech for the 2014 Chrysler 300 includes front side airbags, side curtain airbags, a driver knee airbag, active front head restraints, anti lock brakes, traction control, and stability control. Few salient safety features include:

• Blind-spot warning system
• Rear cross-traffic warning system
• Forward collision warning system
• Anti Lock brakes
• Traction and stability control

For someone wanting an American full-size luxury sedan, the 2014 Chrysler 300 might be a pretty good choice. It has a solid road presence and comes with a long list of standard tech features, creature comforts, and driving aids that make it a compelling choice in its segment. The downside is its subpar build quality and the fact that the interior does not feel as upscale as some of its competitors. Other than that, the car’s fuel economy quotient is not very satisfactory as well. However, the 2014 Chrysler 300 still comes out to be a decent option and can be considered while buying a sedan in the segment.