2012 Chrysler 300 S Review - Hitting On All Eight By Larry Nutson

2012 Chrysler 300S
Hitting on all eight

by Larry Nutson
Senior Editor, Chicago Bureau
The Auto Channel

Hitting on all eight usually refers to engine cylinders. In this case I’m referring to the eight speeds of the 300S’ ZF automatic transmission. Mated up to the 292HP 3.6-liter V6 this powertrain combo works very well. It’s the first application of an eight-speed automatic transmission in a domestic luxury sedan

The Chrysler 300 full-size rear-drive sedan underwent a significant redesign for 2011. Now for 2012 the 300 has been further improved in the drivetrain area. The S is the top trim level V6, with a base and Limited also available. A V8, the 363 horsepower 5.7-liter HEMI, is also available on the S. However, it’s mated to a five-speed automatic. Actually, there are six different trim levels of the 300 available but only two with the V6 and eight-speed automatic.

I liked this powertrain so much that if I were buying I wouldn’t give the others a look. Acceleration is quite smooth and very adequate. Up-shifts are crisp. Whether accelerating from stop, merging onto an expressway, or passing I never had the feeling I needed more… and I’m heavy-footed. A slight tip-in of the throttle and the ZF quickly drops down a gear. Tip-in a little more and down another. EPA ratings for the V6-eight speed are the best of all the 300s with 19mpg city and 31mpg highway. The all-wheel-drive version of this powertrain gets 18mpg city and 27mpg highway. With the Hemi, EPA ratings drop to 16mpg city and 25mpg highway and even further with all-wheel drive to 15mpg city and 23mpg highway.

With the significant drop-off in fuel economy by going to the V8 and then to all-wheel drive, it should make a buyer give serious pause and consideration as to what is really needed for their most frequent driving needs. I for one would seriously forgo all-wheel drive ($2350 more) and instead for the winter months install a set of four winter tires that would handle most all typical in-city, urban, and suburban driving in winter-snow areas of the country.

My Tungsten Metallic exterior with Black Leather-trimmed interior 300S test drive car had a base price of $33,170 and a destination charge of $825. Chrysler had a price bump and now the same 300S is priced $300 higher at $33,470 and destination charge is $925.

A Customer Preferred Package priced at $2420 included a number of noteworthy features including power-fold outside mirrors which are wonderful to have when parking in a crowded city, and a rear back up camera that is great for parking the 198.6inch long sedan. Also, the available adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning and blind spot and cross path detection are technologies of today that help keep us out of accidents.

The Leather Group cost another $3250 and provided just what you would think, lots of leather and comfort features. Niceties include heated rear seats (heated front are standard), heated steering wheel, power tilt/telescoping steering column, power adjustable pedals, and power backlight sunshade. Add $795 for navigation and Sirius and the total price for my test car stopped at $40,460.

The 300S is very comfortable and does its job of transporting five people very well. The 16.3cuft trunk is plenty roomy for a road trip. The 19.1 gallon fuel tank will get you nearly 600 miles along the highway. That’s driving all day with room to spare. Chrysler made very significant changes with this generation 300 in overall quality and especially made changes in overall interior material choices and design. This 300 is indeed luxurious. To wit, AutoPacific named Chrysler 300 as “Best in Class Vehicle Satisfaction” for the “Large Car” category. It was chosen for “Wards 10 Best Interiors” list for 2012. And most recently Chrysler ranked above average and the 300 ranked second to its Dodge Charger cousin in the J.D. Power and Associates 2012 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study.

The Chrysler 300 was named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), achieving their highest rating of “good” in front, side, rollover and rear crashes. Chrysler 300 has standard electronic stability control (ESC). Other standard safety features include, full-length side-curtain airbags, seat-mounted side thorax air bags, driver’s knee bag, front-row reactive head restraints, Hill-start Assist, Rain Brake Support and Ready Alert Braking.

All said, I very much liked the Chrysler 300S, especially the powertrain. It has all the comfort and convenience features you could need or want. Granted it’s a big car, but if you regularly transport other adults they will appreciate the rear seat comfort. I liked the interior materials and the fit and finish. I wasn’t big on the white stitching in the seats, but that’s my taste. To others it might be just fine.

If you know Chryslers from 50 or so years ago, you’ll recall the 2-speed Powerflite and 3-speed Torqueflite automatics. Now we’re up to eight speeds; one more gear for every decade since back then.

© Larry Nutson