Chrysler 300C saloon

Drive

In the UK just one engine is available, but fortunately it's a talented all-rounder. The 3.0-litre V6 diesel comes with either 187bhp or 236bhp, but both are punchy and smooth, and make the 300C an excellent cruiser. The flagship version has an impressive 149mph top speed, and gets from 0-62mph in 7.8 seconds, good figures for a car this large. The steering is well weighted, if a little numb, and it handles well considering its above average weight. The only dynamic issue is the five-speed automatic gearbox, as its slow responses quickly become frustrating on more demanding roads.

Comfort

For this new model, Chrysler introduced plenty of extra insulation, so the refreshed 300C is more hushed than ever. Even at high speed on the motorway, very little wind or road noise intrude the cabin, which makes it a very relaxing car to drive over long distances. Ride comfort is good too, although the optional 20-inch alloy wheels can make it feel jittery over more uneven road surfaces, and the standard 18-inch rims are a better option for UK drivers. The electrically adjustable drivers seat makes finding a good driving position simple, and all-round visibility is excellent.

Reliability

The new model shares most of its mechanicals with the previous version, which was built in Austria, and suffered few reported problems, so this new incarnation should continue that trend, although the new ZF eight-speed automatic is new, it has already appeared in cars like the Land Rover Discovery and Jaguar XJ. The only issue is that parts will be expensive to replace if things do go wrong. The new 300C does get innovative safety kit, with over 70 active and passive systems, include a feature that removes water from the brakes in wet weather for better stopping performance, and blind-spot indicators for the first time. The new 300C scored a full five-stars when tested by independent body Euro NCAP.

Practicality

The 300C is still a seriously big car - in the same league as the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes S-Class - but it's not as practical as you might think. There's a huge amount of space inside for passengers with lots of legroom, but headroom will be a little tight for anyone over six feet tall. There are lots of storage cubbies, and the cupholders in the centre console can be heated or chilled depending on whether you’re drinking a hot or cold beverage. Despite clever touches like this, the boot is disappointingly small. At just 462 litres, it's smaller than both the BMW 5 Series and Audi A6, and the odd shape of the loading bay and lack of a flat floor make fitting bigger items difficult. Also unlike the outgoing model there are no plans for an estate model in the future.

Value for money

The new car marks a big improvement in terms of interior quality, with many more soft touch plastics and better quality materials than before. The standard equipment list is impressive too, with several items that would be optional on rivals fitted as standard. However the 300C is now also likely to cost significantly more than the previous version, with high-end models likely to be close to £40,000, which is a lot for a car that lacks the badge appeal of other brands. Similarly, there are areas of the cabin further away from the driver that still feel cheap - disappointing in a car that's now positioned as a premium product.

Running costs

The 300C's big diesel engine doesn't come equipped with any modern fuel saving technology like start/stop or energy recuperating brakes, and while both the lower and higher powered versions share the same efficiency statistics - 39.8mpg and 185g/km - that puts it several tax brackets above its rivals from Audi and BMW. Opting for the bigger 20-inch wheels pushes the carbon output even higher, to 191g/km. Other costs should be manageable though, and servicing should undercut German opposition.