2011 Chrysler 300: Redefining Luxury At An Affordable Price

300’s Highlight: At first glance, the vehicle looks the same as the model it replaced. However, upon a closer examination, one notices a new grille, new sheet metal, new taillights and a redesigned interior. Yes, this is the vehicle the previous generation 300 was yearning to become.

Test Vehicle’s Base MSRP: $27,995

Major Standard Features: 17-inch Michelin brand tires/wheels; 6-speaker AM/FM/ CD/DVD/MP3 Player; 1-year Sirius Radio subscription; 8-way power driver’s seat; power-heated foldaway exterior mirrors; steering-wheel mounted audio controls; an analog clock; keyless access doors; push-button keyless starter; and rear-view auto dimming mirror with microphone

Standard Engine/Horsepower: 3.6, 5-speed transmission/292-hp

Standard Fuel-Mileage (city/hwy):18-city/27-hwy

Competition: Buick’s LaCrosse, Cadillac’s DTS, Ford’s Taurus, Hyundai’s Genesis, Nissan’s Maxima and Toyota’s Avalon

What’s New: Everything! Yes and we mean everything.

Pros: The 2011 300 is available in four trim levels: base, Limited, 300 C (rear-wheel drive) and 300 C (all-wheel drive). A high-powered SRT-8 will be available soon.

And although the current-generation 300 looks similar to last year’s model, it’s really all-new, both inside and out. The redesigned 300 has moved upmarket, offering such features as LED illuminated headlights, taillights and tailpipes, while holding down the price.

The 300’s upscale feel continues inside the vehicle with this big Chrysler new instrument cluster, which features two large gauge faces with Sapphire Blue illumination and chrome ring accents. Anyone who is fortunate to be behind the wheel of the 300 at night will love driving this vehicle.

Furthermore, the 2011 300 offers the latest safety technology that wasn’t available on the previous model or the entry-level 300 we reviewed. Buyers who step-up to the Limited or 300C models can now opt for such popular features as adaptive-forward lighting (AFL), high-intensity discharge (HID) projector high and low-beams with automatic headlamp leveling, Forward Collision Warning (FCW) with adaptive-cruise control (ACC), Blind-spot monitoring (BSM) with Rear Cross Path (RCP) detection, a parking assist system, LED-illuminated rear fog lamps, exterior mirrors with supplemental turn signals and approach lamp and rain-sensing wipers.

Moreover, heated (and cooled) front and rear seats are now available in the pricier 300s along with a panoramic roof, a power tilt/telescopic steering wheel, adjustable pedals, rear power sunshade and 20-inch wheels too.

Yes, this 300 offers everything that the previous distinctive-styled model didn’t.

Recall: Engine Shut Off In Chryslers Could Lead to Crash

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):

CHRYSLER / TOWN&COUNTRY 2010
DODGE / GRAND CARAVAN 2010
DODGE / JOURNEY AWD 2010

Manufacturer: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC

Mfr's Report Date: MAR 01, 2011

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 11V139000 N/A

Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

Potential Number of Units Affected: 248,437

Summary:

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 DODGE JOURNEY, GRAND CARAVAN, AND CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY VEHICLES MANUFACTURER FROM AUGUST 3, 2009, THROUGH JUNE 17, 2010. SOME VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE INADVERTENT IGNITION KEY DISPLACEMENT FROM THE RUN TO ACCESSORY POSITION WHILE DRIVING CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SHUT OFF.

Consequence:

ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy:

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIN MODULES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Notes:

CHRYSLER SAFETY RECALL NO. L02. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .

Chrysler Announces Pricing for Reworked Flagship, the 300

At first glance, Chrysler's flagship vehicle, the 300, resembles the current model. However, Chrysler officials have designed all-new exterior panels and reworked the interior, too, providing a more upscale feel. For the 2011 model-year, the 300 now offers Chrysler brand new SafetyTec Group, which combines advanced active- and passive-safety technologies for enhanced driver confidence.
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The SafetyTec Group is available on the 2011 Chrysler 300 Limited, 300C and 300C AWD models and includes adaptive-forward lighting (AFL), high-intensity discharge (HID) projector high and low-beams with automatic headlamp leveling, Forward Collision Warning (FCW) with adaptive-cruise control (ACC), Blind-spot monitoring (BSM) with Rear Cross Path (RCP) detection, ParkSense front-and rear-park assist system, LED-illuminated rear fog lamps, exterior mirrors with supplemental turn signals and approach lamp (300 Limited adds HomeLink universal transceiver, rain-sensing wipers and SmartBeam® headlamps).

Garage Preview: 2011 Chrysler 300

Yes, this is the reworked 2011 Chrysler 300. It has a new grille, new sheet metal and an improved high-quality interior. This vehicle will arrive in the first half of 2011. Some of the creature comfort enhancements include

a full-surround heated wood steering wheel, a dual-pane panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated seats, heated and cooled cupholders and a power-folding rear sunshade. Will these changes be enough for Chrysler's halo vehicle to compete against the Ford's Taurus and Buick's LaCrosse?

This is the current-generation 300.

The Chrysler 200 made its debut two years ago at the Detroit International Auto Show at the height of Chrysler working through bankruptcy. We thought this was going to be the future of the current-generation 300. We were mistaken; this is actually the replacement for the Chrysler Sebring, except it won't look as sexy.