2009 Chrysler 300C: What's New

Vehicle Overview
The 300C is essentially the Chrysler 300 with a Hemi V-8 engine, among some other upgrades. The V-6-powered 300 is listed separately in the Cars.com Research section. Like the 300, the 300C is available in regular- and extended-length versions, as well as with rear- or all-wheel drive. Competitors include the Cadillac CTS, Ford Taurus and Chevrolet Impala.

A high-performance SRT8 edition comes equipped with a 425-horsepower Hemi V-8; it’s offered only in regular-length, rear-wheel-drive form.

New for 2009
The 300C gets a next-generation Hemi V-8 and new suspension tuning. An active transfer case and front-axle disconnect are also new on all-wheel-drive models.

Exterior
Looking bold and imposing, the 300C is built on a 120-inch wheelbase and measures 196.8 inches long overall. The stretched version measures 202.8 inches long, with the extra length coming just behind the B-pillar, resulting in longer back doors. In terms of length, the 300C’s competitors fall in between the regular- and extended-wheelbase versions, except for the CTS, which is only 191.6 inches long. The 300C is 74.1 inches wide and either 58.4 and 58.9 inches tall, depending on whether it’s rear- or all-wheel drive. It is close to the Impala and CTS in height but shorter than the Taurus, and it’s close to the Taurus in width but slightly wider than the Impala and CTS.

• Antenna moved to rear window for 2009
• Standard chromed door handles
• Standard 18-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheels
• New chrome grille and 20-inch aluminum wheels on Heritage edition

Interior
Instruments have a watch-face style, and 300C drivers get a steering wheel with leather accents. A standard Fuel Saver Mode is part of the information display and tells drivers when the engine is operating in four-cylinder mode. Trunk volume in the five-seat 300C is 15.6 cubic feet. Standard features include a power tilt/telescoping steering wheel with a memory feature, premium leather seat trim, rain-sensing wipers, and heated mirrors with a memory feature. In the long-wheelbase edition, rear legroom measures 46 inches. Other long-wheelbase features include writing tables, footrests, illuminated vanity mirrors, adjustable reading lights and 12-volt power plugs for charging mobile electronic devices.

• Added chrome accents throughout the interior
• 60/40-split backseat
• Boston Acoustics six-speaker sound system with 276-watt amplifier
• Sirius Satellite Radio and Sirius Backseat TV optional
• Available GPS navigation system with voice recognition
• Illuminated cupholders in front
• Standard remote start
• Trunk includes cargo net, grocery-bag hooks, trunk scuff plate and trunk deck-lid liner
• Optional hands-free communication system and remote start
• Optional voice-activated navigation and or audio system, (including touch screen, voice commands, 30-gigabyte hard drive and navigation radio)

Under the Hood
The 2009 300C is powered by a next-generation 5.7-liter Hemi V-8. It features variable valve timing and Chrysler’s Multiple-Displacement System, which shuts down half the cylinders when the car is cruising to improve fuel economy. The optional all-wheel-drive system now features an active transfer case and front-axle disconnect to automatically disengage the front axle from the drivetrain when all-wheel drive is not needed, also in an effort to improve fuel economy.

• 370-hp, 5.7-liter V-8 with 398 pounds-feet of torque
• Five-speed automatic with manual gear-selecting
• 300C Heritage has performance suspension from Dodge Charger R/T Daytona

Safety
Performance four-wheel-disc antilock brakes, traction control and an electronic stability system are all standard on the 300C.

• Adaptive cruise control regulates speed based on the distance to the vehicle ahead
• Standard SmartBeam headlamps automatically dim when traffic approaches
• Optional side curtain and side-impact airbags

SRT8
The SRT8 takes performance a big step further. Engineers enlarged the Hemi V-8 engine to 6.1 liters; it produces 425 hp and 420 pounds-feet of torque. Acceleration to 60 mph is in the low-5-second range, according to Chrysler. The power-adjustable front sport seats are highly bolstered. Full instrumentation, a six-CD changer and power-adjustable pedals are installed. For 2009, the 300C SRT8 gets a new front grille, a standard sunroof and a new front-seat headrest.

On the road, the SRT8 comes across almost as a brute, but a truly refined one. Few sedans are flatter in curves, but rolling over pavement expansion joints produces some loud sounds. Overall, though, you get an appealing ride with tight, precise control. The throaty exhaust seems a bit out of character for a modern-day Chrysler, but it fits right in with the SRT8’s performance capabilities.