2008 Chrysler 300: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

The 2008 Chrysler 300 gets slightly freshened exterior and interior styling. This large car shares its basic design with Dodge's Charger sedan and Magnum wagon. Available trim levels include LX, Touring, Limited, 300C, and 300C SRT8. All are available with rear-wheel drive. Touring, Limited, and 300C are available with all-wheel drive. LX versions have a 178-hp 2.7-liter V6 engine. Touring and Limited use a 250-hp 3.5-liter V6. The 300C and SRT8 use 5.7- and 6.1-liter versions of Chrysler's "Hemi" V8, with 340 hp and 425 hp, respectively. Exclusive to the 5.7 V8 is Chrysler's Multi-Displacement System cylinder deactivation. The 300 LX and rear-drive Touring and Limited have a 4-speed automatic transmission. All others use a 5-speed automatic. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, and front side airbags. All 2008 300 models get a revised dashboard and front-end appearance. Optional on the 300C is Chrysler's MyGIG Multimedia system, which includes a 20-gigabyte hard drive for storing pictures or digital music files. Available on the Touring and 300C is the Walter P. Chrysler Executive Series package that increases the vehicle's overall length by 6 inches.

COMPETITION

Consumer Guide Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. Large Cars comprise the biggest passenger sedans and wagons. Large inside and out, they offer lots of metal for the money and are dominated by domestic brands.

Our Best Buys include Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Dodge Magnum, and Toyota Avalon. Our Recommended picks are the Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable.

New for 2008 is the Pontiac G8.

The Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable replace the Ford Five Hundred and Mercury Montego, and both models have more power and have been restyled for 2008.