When the all new Chrysler 300 goes on sale in the first part of 2011, the 292 horsepower 3.6-liter Pentastar equipped model will sticker for $27,995 including destination. For just a little more, though, you can get the Limited. This adds leather trimmed seats, heated in front, Uconnect, rear camera, Alpine stereo and 18-inch wheels and stickers for $31,995. There's a Luxury group, too ( Burl trim, 180-amp alternator, auto dimming mirrors, 12 way front seats with lumbar, Nappa leather, power tilt/telescope wheel) for $35,245
Moving up the line, the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 -- 363 horsepower -- equipped 300c is available in two trims: 2011 300c ($38,995) and 2011 300c AWD ($41,145).
And then there's the optional SafetyTec Group which can be found on Limited and 300c vehicles. It includes adaptive HID headlights, forward collision warning with adaptive cruise, blind spot monitoring, rear-cross path detection, front and rear parking assist, LED-illuminated rear fog lamps, and rain sensing wipers. This option adds $2,795 to the base price.
alman08 says:
09:43 AM, 01/ 6/11
With much improved styling inside and out and unless poor reliability continues on with these new Chryslers cars, I don't see how they won't succeed in taking market shares from Ford (mainly the Taurus and Explorer).
It's just too bad that they didn't have the 300 available at the Autoshow so I could spend a lot of time comparing it to the SHO.
greenpony says:
10:11 AM, 01/ 6/11
With the V6 model pumping out almost 300 hp, it's hard to justify the 10k price premium for the V8.
alman08 says:
10:20 AM, 01/ 6/11
maybe the 300C includes everything in the lux group for the v6 model? then it's only about $3-4k diff... and I'm saying maybe, because I am only guessing.
1487 says:
10:29 AM, 01/ 6/11
I see this taking share from lots of cars- Lacrosse, Maxima, TL, Taurus, etc. It looks very good and is well equipped.
firstwagon says:
10:53 AM, 01/ 6/11
I wish they would go back to the good old days where you could just order the top engine in any version of the car.
For years it was a big plus of buying a American car, you didn't have to take an over priced premium trim just to get the better motor like you did in so many Japanese and European brands.
albook says:
11:19 AM, 01/ 6/11
Love it, but that does seem a bit much....it better compare well with the Genesis in terms of interior and driving quality (the 300 looks much better though).
1487 says:
12:07 PM, 01/ 6/11
The interior looks better than Genesis, more modern. Genesis interior seemed 5 years old when the car was new.
lostboyz says:
12:13 PM, 01/ 6/11
@firstwagon, then go buy the charger. Premium brands have always been this way, american or otherwise.
firstwagon says:
12:31 PM, 01/ 6/11
lostboyz
Not sure I would call Chrysler a premium brand but that's another debate.
The Charger is no different, you need to get the RT to get the Hemi and it's $11K more then the base model.
You certainly could get the top engine in the base model in the past for American models, even on the premium brands.
1487 says:
12:37 PM, 01/ 6/11
V8s are going to be increasingly rare as gas goes towards $4 a gallon and Chrysler probably knows that. By far most people will chose the V6. Chrysler is obviously following the same pricing model as the Japanese and Europeans- seems to work for them.
coolinken says:
12:56 PM, 01/ 6/11
I like this car, and the Charger (except for the weird instrument dash on the Charger with the blank expanse), but you have to spend north of $45k for this car fully optioned? I don't get it. With the way the economy and gas prices are going ($4 this year, $5 certainly by 2013), and with the numbers that this car needs to sell to be viable, how is this pricing model sustainable?
Oh well, looks like I'll be hanging onto my 9yr old suv and my 8yr old car a little longer.
Sweet ride though.
lostboyz says:
01:44 PM, 01/ 6/11
"The Charger is no different, you need to get the RT to get the Hemi "
thats like saying you need to get a mustang GT to get the v8
"you have to spend north of $45k for this car fully optioned? I don't get it."
don't get it fully optioned then? It starts at $28k, charger at $25k which is quite affordable for a ~300hp rwd full sized sedan.
audisport says:
02:03 PM, 01/ 6/11
I like the refreshed 300C, but I LOVE the refreshed Charger. All of the press photos of the loaded R/T's in red look sweet. I just wish that gas didn't cost as much as it does. Looks like I'm stuck with turbo 4's, which isn't so bad.
firstwagon says:
02:06 PM, 01/ 6/11
"thats like saying you need to get a mustang GT to get the v8"
Exacty... remember for years you could get the V8 in the much less expensive Mustang LX but now you have to get the GT.
In short you are forced to buy the show to get the go.
t10 says:
02:35 PM, 01/ 6/11
This is a car I want to like, but it just looks boring to me. I think the prior version with it's in your face dimensions which were quite radical at the time was better. It sort of reminds me of what I expect a premium Kia would look like (or Hyundai). I'll reserve final opinion until I see one in person of course.
I think the refresh of the Charger looks great though. One thing I find is that premium brands are not much different from lesser brands these days since most cars have pretty good interiors (is the redesigned Charger for instance really any lower than the 300). Similarly, I struggle to understand why an Acura is a premium brand over, say Hyundai and should command a price premium (if it's bland I shouldn't have to "buy" brand equity).
I prefer what I would call distinctive cars like the old e39 M5, Pontiac G8 / Commodore, Challenger (sure it's a coupe), or the current Mercedes design language (C63).
Sometimes I'll see a big sedan ahead on the road and have trouble distinguising a Genesis, from a 5 series, from a 7 series, from a Lexus LS whatever. This car gives me the same vibe from pics.
lostboyz says:
02:42 PM, 01/ 6/11
@firstwagon, no you can get a base mustang gt or a base challenger R/T for under 30k.
No you can't get just any cars biggest motor without all the goodies, but I doubt you ever could in full sized sedans. If you are looking for the biggest bang for your buck performance you really wouldn't buy a sedan anyway would you.
aspade says:
02:59 PM, 01/ 6/11
The Charger RT isn't $11,000 over the base, it's $5,000. Considering the other mechanical upgrades that includes - brakes, suspension, tires, wheels - that's only around $1,500 of mandatory cosmetics.
Which makes one wonder why the 300 bundling is so much more strict - if they're trying to be the premium brand then why is there a 28K base model at all?
firstwagon says:
03:31 PM, 01/ 6/11
aspade
The base Charger SE is $22,745, the RT is $33,345. (before options).
http://dodge.ca/en/vehicle_home.php?np=Charger&mc=CHA_SE
Your prices may vary.
lostboyz says:
03:35 PM, 01/ 6/11
firstwagon, the confusion here is you are canadian.
here SE is 25k, R/T is 30k
lostboyz says:
03:36 PM, 01/ 6/11
also you are looking at 2010 pricing, 2011 pricing isn't available on dodge.ca yet
firstwagon says:
04:31 PM, 01/ 6/11
Sorry, should have phased my response better to show that.
I have a neighbour who just bought a Charger SE last month (paid just over $21K). I asked why he didn't get the Hemi and replied it was at least $11K more.
I wouldn't mind $3-4K more for the engine, suspension, etc but I agreed that's way too much of a jump.
Especially since I don't like leather to begn with.
lostboyz says:
05:53 PM, 01/ 6/11
The 2010 dodge se also had the miserable 2.7l v6, so the rt is actually 2 steps up
1487 says:
05:38 AM, 01/ 7/11
I dont see an issue with the pricing considering the equipment. Its well equipped for the money and you arent going to touch a loaded midsize or large European luxury car for anything close to what the 300 costs. The only drawback is the 5 speed auto. Its fully competitive aside from that however.
mk40 says:
05:44 AM, 01/ 7/11
Whoa, that's really competitive... Hyundai-like pricing. Nappa-leather & all new interior?... Genesis-like trims & richness. A very strong competitor to the Genesis. Betcha it handles better... eg. corners more aggressively without bottoming out on mid-corner bumps & loosing composure. I trust Fiat's engineers more when it comes to suspension tuning. Plus, AWD available & more available features including more advanced safety features available. With mutli-air tech on the V6 and multi-displacement management on the V8 should get competitive mpg as well. The new 8spd trans can't come soon enough though.
konocar400h says:
08:27 AM, 01/ 7/11
I still can't get over how it looks. It's so strange because I loved the last model, but this one just looks too gaudy to me. Maybe it will grow on me..
chavis10 says:
09:40 AM, 01/ 7/11
Good pricing for the amount of kit. If you are really nit picking, just wait for the 8 spd which is probably 1-2 years away. For $44k, you'll get one loaded with AWD, V8 and features that'll make an equally priced 528i seem like a Hertz rental.
ahightower says:
09:54 AM, 01/ 7/11
Still the coolest big family car. The only big RWD under $40K, no? $50K even, for its size?
smilez says:
12:22 PM, 01/ 7/11
2011 Dodge Charger - US
SE - 25170
RT - 30170
Naturally, you get more than just the HEMI for the 5K.
I think 5k was way more than justified when the old SE had that POS 2.7.
I wouldn't say it's harder to justify the price difference now that the SE has the Pentastar, but harder for people to make to the jump to the HEMI. The Pentastar has plenty of giddyup.
sdiego says:
08:25 PM, 01/ 7/11
Looks like a lot of auto makers are going for the big mouth grille ala Audi
eldaino2 says:
03:04 AM, 01/10/11
^yeah, and looks like they are also ripping off led headlights from them too.
lostboyz says:
03:25 AM, 01/10/11
yes, because audi was the first ones to have led DRLs...
eldaino2 says:
08:58 AM, 01/10/11
Can't think of anyone else who used them so widespread througout an entire model line. And they are not just drls. Dude just except it, audi started a fad, and while I expected people like kia to rip it off, I expected more of chrysler. Or should I not have....?
eldaino2 says:
08:59 AM, 01/10/11
*accept
copmotor440cid says:
12:24 AM, 01/12/11
Old model had better styling and more presence but only Porsche can get away with using the same styling for over four decades. Everyone else has to evolve. As long as the Pentastar is the lowest engine option (and the horrible 2.7 is truly gone) the 300 should do well. I am just thankful that i don't have to see any more chargers and 300's with 2.7L V6's and 22"+wheels. That is one reason Chrysler does not have the rep of a true luxury brand anymore as they did in the 50's and 60's. Cheap base models. Is Cadillac still selling a 2.8L CTS? Anyone?
cyndimasters says:
04:11 AM, 06/ 1/11
Im giving up my cadillac CTS for this. I wouldnt consider any of the cars the 300c is being compared to. Drove Acuras and Cadi's but love this car and all that it comes with. My only complaint is the dealership isnt what Im used to in terms of service and neither is warranty and no service agreement. The car however, well its sold!