Chrysler 300C V6 2006 Review

7-day Test

A word of warning right up front: Drive this car and you will get noticed! CarPoint's week with the 300C drew more stares and pointed fingers than just about any car we can remember.

There is a lot to like about this car. And the uncompromising looks are just the start. Sitting on 18-inch polished alloy wheels, the high-waisted sides and imposing grille shout to be noticed amongst the bland crowd -- and it works really well.

We liked the HEMI V8 300C which is the volume seller in Australia but with fuel prices on everyone's lips it was time to hop in the V6 and try it on for size.

There is a weight saving of 100kg over the Hemi (still 1710kg) but despite 183kW and 340Nm of torque, the 3.5-litre V6 isn't as spritely as the V8. It provides enough power for most situations but is no road burner. Chrysler quotes 9.2secs to 100km/h – nearly 3.0secs adrift of its big V8 brother -- and a top speed of 219km/h.

The V6 is smooth but lacks torque down low and take-up is a little sluggish. That said, once the needle hits 4000rpm things go ballistic. A rorty exhaust note blares out and the power comes on song.

The 300C ( V8 or V6) is available only as an auto. It's a five-speeder with AutoStick -- Chrysler-speak for manual override. It's a good one too. Perhaps because of fuel consciousness it is a little reluctant to kick down sometimes but other than that it can be very smooth if driven in the appropriate manner.

This is the best interior effort from Chrysler that we can recall. Most of the trim and switchgear has a solid quality feel and it is very well equipped with electronic goodies including tyre pressure monitor, memory seats, rain-sensing wipers, park assist and front and side airbags. The steering wheel controls for audio and centre command control were very helpful -- and safety conscious -- too. The standard tortoise shell-like highlights on the steering wheel and gear knob was a little twee for us though.

The driving position can only be described as imposing. Sitting up high in those comfy leather seats and looking over that long, long bonnet one could be forgiven for haughty thoughts. The short side windows and thick A-Pillars though mean vision is far from ideal but hey, that's fashion for you.

Rear passenger accommodation is good but stops short of limousine comfort – the lowish roof and big boot steal valuable leg room. The rear seats have a 60/40 split which, coupled with the cavernous boot means luggage capacity is enormous.

Handling is quite good for a car of this size. Suspension is biased towards comfort but unlike a lot of other Yankee cars it isn't flabby. Best to park it in the garage though when it comes time to compete in club motorkhanas – it's at home on highways or coasting around town not through the twisty bits.

But back to the hot topic – petrol prices. Unfortunately the V6 300C's fuel consumption is still not great. We averaged a little over 13lt/100km on mainly highway driving but in town traffic it crept up to an average of over 17 which was rather alarming. Best to adopt the softly, softly approach to the accelerator pedal -- good fuel economy is possible -- but that hardly fits the image. Does it?

Going the V6 route over the Hemi will save you money at the bowser and $6000 from the get go. Fuel misers might like to wait for the diesel (and its 510Nm of torque) in the meantime, the V6 300C should be given some consideration if you want to stand out from the crowd and high performance isn't at the top of your shopping list.