Chrysler 300C Touring V8 2006 Review

The Chrysler 300C Touring continues Chrysler's Australia's roll-out of '300C' variants, which now include 'base' petrol V6, V8 and diesel sedans, high-performance SRT-8 sedan and forthcoming SRT-8 Touring (due in November).

Like its equally striking retro-inspired stablemates, the Touring (or station wagon) version garners attention like few other new cars on the road. And deservedly so: with its sloping rear 'chopped' roofline, bold frontal grille and big wheelarches housing 18-inch polished alloy wheels, it looks unlike most traditional Aussie wagons.

Expect constant attention from the 300C's growing legion of fans if you fork up the $56,990-plus for this hot rod-inspired family car. One fellow motorist at the lights even offered to provide us with a new set of 'show' wheels for our 'ride', as if the car needed even more attention-grabbing appeal!

Fitted with the 5.7-litre V8, the Touring version offers a similar driving experience to the sedan. This is a good thing mostly, with strong acceleration from idle, an efficient five-speed auto box, powerful brakes and suspension settings sufficiently sporty to keep in check the wagon's additional bulk through corners.

Like the sedan it's well-equipped, with sunroof, tinted glass, premium paint and roof racks the only options.

Our test vehicle averaged 14.7lt/100km over 770kms of mostly highway work.

But where it differs markedly from the sedan is in rearward visibility, where the thick B and C-pillars and narrow, darkly tinted rear window slits made the view behind one of the poorest of any wagon we've driven. In fact, on more than one occasion we found changing lanes a decidedly hazardous affair, especially in peak hour traffic. As for reverse parking, let's just say the rear parking sensors came in handy.

Rear seat room is similar to the sedan, with good head and legroom on comfy leather seats.

But most wagons are judged by their cargo carrying capacity, and it's here that the Touring was also disappointing. While the rear space is reasonable -- Chrysler quotes 545 litres capacity, 41 litres more than the sedan -- the bulging rear wheel arches protrude into the load space, reducing overall effective width markedly. And whereas the 300C sedan's cavernous boot had previously swallowed the weekend golf equipment comfortably, the wagon struggled to fit it all in without some awkward stacking.

On the plus side the rear seats fold flat, increasing capacity to 1602 litres. There's also a wide opening rear gate, plus additional storage space under the flat floor. Other features include a cargo cover, storage bins, cargo tie-down hoops and a 12-volt power outlet.

On looks alone, the Touring is a winner, different from almost anything on the road and guaranteed to appeal to those looking for a comfortable family wagon with a big dose of individuality.

However, before buying one we recommend taking it for an extended test drive including a visit to a busy carpark and a stop-off to load it up with goods and people. Otherwise you might end up with the best looking wagon in the street, but a vehicle that might not be worth the extra $3000 over the sedan…