Chrysler 300C CRD first drive

What’s new?

You know the 300C that comes with the 5.7-litre Hemi V8? This is the same, but with a Mercedes diesel instead.

What’s it like?

Five metres long and spacious inside, the 300 CRD has, for an American design, a surprisingly stylish interior. The engine is refined and powerful, but while the 300 CRD is stable, it feels slower than figures suggest — blame the hefty 1920kg kerbweight. Chrysler reckons 85 per cent of UK 300C buyers will choose this German diesel-powered model, despite them having a ‘strong affinity for the US’.

Should I buy one?

It’s reasonably priced, well equipped and the most economical 300C. For some it will have strong appeal, but objectively mainstream rivals are better. Buyers charmed by the 300C’s distinctiveness will chop in their 4x4s and coupés, rather than E-classes and A6s.

Matt Prior

Title: Editor-at-large

Matt is Autocar’s lead features writer and presenter, is the main face of Autocar’s YouTube channel, presents the My Week In Cars podcast and has written his weekly column, Tester’s Notes, since 2013.

Matt is an automotive engineer who has been writing and talking about cars since 1997. He joined Autocar in 2005 as deputy road test editor, prior to which he was road test editor and world rally editor for Channel 4’s automotive website, 4Car.

Into all things engineering and automotive from any era, Matt is as comfortable regularly contributing to sibling titles Move Electric and Classic & Sports Car as he is writing for Autocar. He has a racing licence, and some malfunctioning classic cars and motorbikes.