2022 Chrysler Airflow

Overview
Some things get better with age—whiskey, denim, cheese, leather—and sometimes that includes cars. But the 2022 Chrysler 300 is one that's simply slipping into obscurity. If you're one of the shrinking number of buyers seeking a large four-door sedan, you'll find few options—even among them the 300 is relatively uncompetitive. The standard powertrain is a V-6 with and eight-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive; a gas-guzzling V-8 is optional and gives the 300 slightly more muscle-car appeal. The Chrysler's cabin is comfortable and spacious, but those seeking the luxury of a similarly sized luxury car will be left wanting.

What's New for 2022?
Chrysler's sedan soldiers on for another model year without any major changes. All 2022 models come standard with a new N95 cabin air filter and the Comfort Group package, which is available on the Touring L and 300S models and now includes a security alarm.

Pricing and Which One to Buy
Touring $35,140
Touring L $38,340
300S $43,750

We'd recommend the midrange Touring L model, which bundles plenty of luxury and convenience features at a reasonable price. It comes with the standard 3.6-liter V-6 and can be had with rear- or all-wheel drive. We'd also spring for the aforementioned Comfort Group package because we think large sedans should provide a certain level of plushness. If you want the V-8, you'll have to upgrade to the more expensive 300S, which adds a stiffer suspension and, thus, a rougher ride. Shoppers should also take note of the V-8's thirst for fuel.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance
In the large-car segment, the Chrysler 300 is unusual for its rear-wheel-drive layout and its available Hemi V-8 engine with 363 horsepower. All-wheel drive is optional but only with the standard 292-hp 3.6-liter V-6 engine. In our testing, a rear-wheel-drive V-6-powered 300S hustled to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds; that's slow for this class but still reasonably sprightly. A V-8-powered rear-driver netted a snappy 5.3-second result in the same test back in 2015. The 300 is not a bad-handling car for its size. The helm isn't the most talkative, but body roll is well controlled, and the chassis is willing to play—as long as you don't get overly aggressive. The stiffer suspension and 20-inch wheels on the 300S make that particular model ride a bit rough, which seems out of step with the 300's near-luxury mission. If you're in the market for something comfy, stick with the Touring or Touring L.

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
With the 3.6-liter V-6 under its hood, the 300 falls just a bit short of its rivals when it comes to fuel economy. Other competitors—such as the Nissan Maxima—are simply more efficient. The 300 did match its EPA highway estimate of 30 mpg in our real-world testing, but the Volkswagen Arteon fared slightly better, besting the Chrysler by 1 mpg. Order up the Hemi 5.7-liter V-8 and this four-door is quite the gas consumer, averaging 19 mpg combined per the EPA's yardstick. For more information about the 300's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The 300's entry-level offering is the Touring. It comes with cloth seats and few amenities. The fancier Touring L and 300S models boast far more features, including power-adjustable front seats with heat and adjustable lumbar support, dual-zone automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather seats, and illuminated front and rear cupholders. Heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and a power-adjustable steering wheel are optional on all but the base model. Chrysler utilizes soft-touch rubberized plastic with a leather-grain pattern to cover the dashboard and upper door panels of every 300. The texture feels nice but looks artificial. The interior design is aging, and not gracefully. The Kia Cadenza simply outclasses the 300 in this area. The 300, like just about every car in this segment, manages to fit six carry-on boxes inside the trunk. With the rear seats folded, it swallowed another 10. Those seats can be split in a 60/40 arrangement, but they don't fold completely flat.

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