2011 Chrysler 300: A Popular Sedan Gets A Little Better

When the Chrysler 300 sedan was redesigned a few years ago to look more like a luxury car, it received much acclaim and was a hit with buyers.

Fast forward to the 2011 model year, and Chrysler has made a few changes to the design, but essentially, the 300 remains a great-looking, smooth-riding model with improved interior quality.

Chrysler has made a few changes to the exterior, such as shaping the 300 with more rounded features and enlarging the fenders. The front end is more sloping, which Chrysler says improves  aerodynamics, producing better fuel efficiency. Visibility is better because of the more inclined windshield, larger side windows and smaller pillars.

But the car retains the overall design style that first caught everyone’s eye a few years back.

The current model boasts a modern, elegant-looking body style.

Chrysler also has upgraded its interior quality, which was an area of weakness for a number of its models. The 300 now has brushed metal segments on the dash and a better grade of materials. Even the lining material on the ceiling and door seems to have been upgraded.

The instrument panel has a pleasant blue hue, and the trim along the doors and dash are attractive. Options available include panoramic  moon roof, wood trim and heated front and rear seats. For convenience, you can make use of the dual-zone climate control, USB/iPod connection and 8.4-inch mounted LCD display to control music and climate.

Seating is quite comfortable, with abundant head and leg room.

Once you get behind the wheel, you’ll notice that the new Pentastar V-6 3.6-liter engine is more than adequately powered, at 292 horsepower. It's mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. And fuel economy is respectable, as the 300 rates at 18 mpg city, 27 highway.

If you find yourself to be really power-hungry, the 300C model comes with a HEMI V-8 engine, which will move you off the starting line quite quickly, but of course fuel economy suffers.

Pricing is reasonable on this premium model, starting at around $28,000 and ranging to around $32,000.

A terrific full-size sedan, the 2011 Chrysler 300 is pleasant to drive and easy on the eyes.