2015 Chrysler Model 300 V-6 AWD, big price tag but the car shows presence

The latest Model Chrysler 300 Limited, as base cars go, does not let you feel that you have agreed on cheap seats, as the inexpensive 300 spreads its charm on the curb.  If you are out enjoying in town, the chances are that the 300 will get parked in the front, as the flagship sedan of Chrysler radiates Bentley-like bad-boy look, which it came with in the beginning.

The 2015 model continues the retro charm on the side too. The large infotainment system’s 8.4-inch Uconnect touch-screen is user friendly, and the eight-speed auto transmission’s twist knob shifter is modern and standard, but the vintage mood is set by elegant analog clock, leather encased seats, basic HVAC and radio knobs for volume. The front seats go all the way to lie flat on the floor, and the center display is flanked by the digital speedometer and cool-looking blue-lit analog tacho with displays of current temperature, coolant temperature, a compass, fuel level and the current gear in the center.

Hard and uneven pavements are handled with easy by the 300, and the touring suspension is standard with the 300 Limited with all-wheel-drive that we drove that made the undernourished byways and highways a smooth ride. The rear-drive Limited models are surrounded with 215/65-17 tires, but the all-wheel-drive models get upgraded 235/55-19s.  The power assisted steering self-centers organically and added effort seamlessly. The 0.80g skidpad figure is akin to similar full-size sedans that we have driven in recent times that include Cadillac XTS AWD and Chevrolet Impala V-6. The huge Chrysler body construction appears and feels solid, and the cabin aided by the lamination for the front side glass, and the windshield is quite calmly.

Brakes were solid and offered the top response when summoned driving around the town and experienced no fade in hard braking. But the stopping distance at 187 feet is disappointing. Corresponding figures show 9 feet longer to the Impala and 14 foot longer to XTS. This is especially when the AWD models come fitted with larger rotors and at the front and vented ones at the rear that comes optional with sports brakes. This is regular with the Hemi V-8 models. Though we like the Hemi V-8 in the Chrysler with rear-wheel-drive, the V-6 given here does the job commendably. It took 6.3 seconds to run the 0-60 mph distance and outguns the Cadillac XTS AWD with 7.2 seconds. The Pentastar V-6 can be little jumpy while throttling, but the torque level is satisfactory across the rev range. One takes the time to get used to the knob shifter, but it is more organic than some of the other competitions’. 

The 300 Limited in Granite Crystal Metallic, which we drove, looked sharper with its linen and black-clad cabin. There are optional packages available to the Limited, and they include $1695 Driver Convenience package which offers remote start, LED fog lights, backup camera and HomeLink garage door opener, the $995 Uconnect upgrade, offering navigation, HD radio, SisriusXM Traffic and SiriusXM Travel Link.  The options bring the price to the level of $37,880, which is palatable. With such price, they car may look a stretch but one cannot deny that it has the presence.