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Photo of a Chrysler 300

Chrysler 300

Rear-drive luxury, reborn for 2005 and sent off by the 485-hp 2023 300C.123

Researched October 26, 2026 from 39 sources

Also called

  • Baby BentleyThe first generation's long, low shape and strong road presence invited Bentley comparisons.45
  • poor man's BentleyA label used by British buyers for the first-generation model.6

At a glance

0250500
178–485 hpPower
0510
4.3–7.9 s0–60 mph
0150300
209.2–257.5 km/hTop speed
0400800
258–644 N·mTorque
01,2502,500
1,688–2,026 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.1568910

Engine
2.7–3.6 L V6s; 3.0 L diesel V6s; 5.7/6.1/6.4 L Hemi V8s6
Layout
Front engine, rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive; LX/LD6
Gearbox
Launch: 4-/5-speed automatics; V6 8-speed from 2012, all models from 20152713
Built at
Brampton Assembly, Canada; first gen: Magna Steyr, Austria; Beijing Benz, China6

The story

Created for 2005 to replace the Concorde and 300M, the 300 brought rear-drive luxury. Its LX platform linked it to the Dodge Charger and Magnum and used Mercedes-derived hardware; the 300C Hemi could shut down four cylinders.2567

2003: Ralph Gilles's New York concept20032004: Production starts for model year 200520042005: 425-hp SRT-8 and a trophy haul20052008: A new dashboard and a 20-gigabyte drive20082009: Variable timing and smarter AWD20092011: Second generation gets Pentastar power20112012: Eight speeds, 6.4 liters and Mopar '1220122015: Eight speeds for every 2015 model20152023: 485 hp, then farewell at Brampton2023 Chrysler 300 letter series: 1955–1965Chrysler 300 (non-letter series): 1962–1971Chrysler 300 (Cordoba revival): 1979Chrysler Concorde (LH): 1993–2004LHChrysler 300M (LH): 1999–2004LHChrysler 300 (first generation) (LX): 2005–2010LXChrysler 300 (second generation) (LD): 2011–2023LD 1960197019801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones561920212223
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1955–1965Chrysler 300 letter series
1962–1971Chrysler 300 (non-letter series)
1979Chrysler 300 (Cordoba revival)
1993–2004Chrysler Concorde (LH)
1999–2004Chrysler 300M (LH)
2005–2010Chrysler 300 (first generation) (LX)
2011–2023Chrysler 300 (second generation) (LD)
2003Ralph Gilles's New York concept
2004Production starts for model year 2005
2005425-hp SRT-8 and a trophy haul
2008A new dashboard and a 20-gigabyte drive
2009Variable timing and smarter AWD
2011Second generation gets Pentastar power
2012Eight speeds, 6.4 liters and Mopar '12
2015Eight speeds for every 2015 model
2023485 hp, then farewell at Brampton
  1. 2003

    Ralph Gilles's New York concept

    The show car reinterpreted the 1955 C-300's large grille, long hood and low roofline.6

  2. 2004

    Production starts for model year 2005

    With 340 hp from a 5.7-liter Hemi, the 300C led the rear-drive comeback. A road test clocked 0–60 mph in 5.3 seconds.168

  3. 2005

    425-hp SRT-8 and a trophy haul

    The 425-hp 6.1-liter SRT-8 joined the range. The 300C won Motor Trend Car of the Year and made Car and Driver's 2005 and 2006 10Best lists.569

  4. 2008

    A new dashboard and a 20-gigabyte drive

    A revised dashboard and center console brought better materials; MyGIG added a 20-gigabyte hard drive for music and photos.10

  5. 2009

    Variable timing and smarter AWD

    Variable valve timing lifted the 5.7-liter Hemi to 359 hp; the revised AWD system gained an active transfer case and front-axle disconnect.279

  6. 2011

    Second generation gets Pentastar power

    The second generation arrived with a 292-hp 3.6-liter Pentastar V6; its 5.7-liter Hemi 300C delivered 363 hp.5711

  7. 2012

    Eight speeds, 6.4 liters and Mopar '12

    Second-generation V6s gained eight speeds and AWD; the 470-hp 6.4-liter SRT8 returned. The 500-car Mopar '12 used 3.91:1 gearing.712

  8. 2015

    Eight speeds for every 2015 model

    A taller grille, rotary shifter and an eight-speed automatic for the 5.7-liter V8 defined the update.13

  9. 2023

    485 hp, then farewell at Brampton

    The final 300C combined 485 hp with a 2,200-car run. Its last Hemi left Brampton on December 8; 300 production ended in December.16

Every generation

  • Chrysler 300 letter series
    Chrysler 300 letter series1955–1965
  • Chrysler 300 (non-letter series)
    Chrysler 300 (non-letter series)1962–1971
  • Chrysler 300 (Cordoba revival)
    Chrysler 300 (Cordoba revival)1979
  • Chrysler Concorde
    LH1993–2004
  • Chrysler 300M
    LH1999–2004
  • Chrysler 300 (first generation)
    LX2005–2010
  • Chrysler 300 (second generation)
    LD2011–2023

Power over the years

From 190 hp to 485 hp in 18 years.

0200400600 2005201020152020 hp 2005 · 190 hp · Base 2.7 V62005 · 250 hp · Touring 3.5 V62005 · 340 hp · 300C 5.7 Hemi2005 · 425 hp · SRT-8 6.1 Hemi2006 · 215 hp · 300C 3.0 diesel V62008 · 178 hp · LX 2.7 V62009 · 359 hp · Hemi V8 update2011 · 292 hp · 3.6 Pentastar V62011 · 363 hp · 300C 5.7 Hemi2012 · 470 hp · SRT8 6.4 V82015 · 300 hp · 300S 3.6 Pentastar V62023 · 485 hp · 300C 6.4 Hemi 485 hp 300C 6.4 Hemi 190 hp Base 2.7 V6
1267910111314
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
2005190Base 2.7 V6
2005250Touring 3.5 V6
2005340300C 5.7 Hemi
2005425SRT-8 6.1 Hemi
2006215300C 3.0 diesel V6
2008178LX 2.7 V6
2009359Hemi V8 update
20112923.6 Pentastar V6
2011363300C 5.7 Hemi
2012470SRT8 6.4 V8
2015300300S 3.6 Pentastar V6
2023485300C 6.4 Hemi

Versions

12 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • 300 Base/LX, Touring/Touring Plus, Touring L, Limited

    Standard

    300 Base/LX, Touring/Touring Plus, Touring L, Limited

  • Standard

    300C / 300C Heritage Edition (first generation)

    2005–2010

  • 300S

    Performance

    300S

  • 300C Luxury Series / 300C Platinum

    Standard

    300C Luxury Series / 300C Platinum

  • 300C Touring (export wagon)

    Standard

    300C Touring (export wagon)

    2005–2010

  • 300C SRT8 (first generation)

    Performance

    300C SRT8 (first generation)

    2005–2010

    425 hp
  • 300 SRT8 / SRT / SRT Core

    Performance

    300 SRT8 / SRT / SRT Core

  • Walter P. Chrysler Executive / Signature Series

    Special

    Walter P. Chrysler Executive / Signature Series

  • Special

    Motown Edition / Glacier Edition

    2013

  • 300C (2023 farewell edition)

    Limited

    300C (2023 farewell edition)

    2023

    485 hp

    2,200 built

  • Limited

    300C John Varvatos Limited Edition

    2013

  • Limited

    Mopar '12 300

    2012

    363 hp

How to spot one

Look for

  • First generation: boxy sides, a low glasshouse and an upright grille.69
  • 2011 redesign: C-shaped LED headlamp signatures beside seven horizontal grille blades.611
  • 2011 rear: tall LED lamps, a connecting chrome strip and bumper-mounted oval exhaust outlets.611
  • 2015 facelift: a taller textured grille with the wing emblem inside, plus halo LED taillamps.13

Year by year

  1. 2008

    Revised front and rear fascias, new taillamps and a new trunklid give the original body a mild refresh.7

  2. 2010

    The first-generation 300S adds 20-inch wheels to a blacked-out appearance.19

  3. 2011

    The redesign brings thinner pillars, a more raked windshield and C-shaped LED headlamp signatures.611

  4. 2015

    Taller textured grille with the wing badge inside; halo LED taillamps, a black lower rear valance and corner exhaust tips.13

  5. 2016

    The 90th Anniversary Edition adds special badges and a dual-pane sunroof.7

  6. 2020

    The 300S Red S Appearance Package puts red inserts in the front Chrysler wing emblem and adds 20-inch wheels.7

Don’t confuse it with

  • 300C SRT Design

    North American SRT Design shares 20-inch wheels but uses the 5.7-liter Hemi; first-generation SRT8s add Brembo brakes.610

  • Photo of a Chrysler 300
    300
    Photo of a Lancia Thema
    Lancia Thema

    Lancia Thema

    Europe's 2011–2014 rebadge of the second-generation 300; its Lancia Thema name is the distinction.6

Against its rivals

  • Acura TL

    300 vs Acura TL

    0–97 km/h lower is better

    3005.3 s
    Acura TL5.7 s
    8
  • Hyundai Genesis 3.8 HTRAC (2015)

    300 vs Hyundai Genesis 3.8 HTRAC (2015)

    Price as tested lower is better

    300$48,745
    Hyundai Genesis 3.8 HTRAC (2015)$52,450
    24

Prices

Value today $6.5K–$52.0K30

Price when newAuction saleValue today
$0$20K$40K$60K 20052010201520202025 Value today: $6,500–$52,000 2005 · $23,595 · US base V62005 · $32,995 · US 300C Hemi, base2008 · $44,423 · US SRT8, base2011 · $27,995 · US base, incl. destination2012 · $39,990 · US 300C, as tested2012 · $49,700 · US Mopar '12, incl. destination2013 · $44,195 · US Varvatos Limited V62015 · $31,395 · US Limited, excl. destination2015 · $42,395 · US 300C Platinum, excl. destination2023 · $55,000 · US 300C MSRP 2005 · $23,595 · US base price, 2005 model year 2022 · $39,000 · 2006 300C SRT8, 1,000 miles, Bring a Trailer2024 · $43,500 · 2023 300C, 7k miles, BaT2024 · $12,250 · 2005 300C, 36k miles, BaT2025 · $15,250 · 2006 300C SRT8, 103k miles, BaT2026 · $26,500 · 2006 300C SRT8, 10,000 miles, Bring a Trailer2026 · $52,000 · 2023 300C, 334 miles, Bring a Trailer2026 · $16,500 · 2006 300C SRT8, 29,000 miles, Bring a Trailer2026 · $3,000 · 2006 300C SRT8, 196,000 miles, Bring a Trailer2026 · $35,000 · 2023 300C, 1,100 miles, Bring a Trailer2026 · $8,000 · 2005 300C, 47,000 miles, Bring a Trailer2026 · $6,500 · 2009 300C, 75,000 miles, Bring a Trailer2026 · $9,501 · 2010 Touring AWD Signature Series, 25k miles, BaT2026 · $28,000 · 2012 SRT8, 31k miles, BaT $52.0K Bring a Trailer, 2026
3810111213143031323536373839
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2005Launch price$23,595US base price, 2005 model year
2005Price when new$23,595US base V6
2005Price when new$32,995US 300C Hemi, base
2008Price when new$44,423US SRT8, base
2011Price when new$27,995US base, incl. destination
2012Price when new$39,990US 300C, as tested
2012Price when new$49,700US Mopar '12, incl. destination
2013Price when new$44,195US Varvatos Limited V6
2015Price when new$31,395US Limited, excl. destination
2015Price when new$42,395US 300C Platinum, excl. destination
2023Price when new$55,000US 300C MSRP
2022Auction sale$39,0002006 300C SRT8, 1,000 miles, Bring a Trailer
2024Auction sale$43,5002023 300C, 7k miles, BaT
2024Auction sale$12,2502005 300C, 36k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$15,2502006 300C SRT8, 103k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$26,5002006 300C SRT8, 10,000 miles, Bring a Trailer
2026Auction sale$52,0002023 300C, 334 miles, Bring a Trailer
2026Auction sale$16,5002006 300C SRT8, 29,000 miles, Bring a Trailer
2026Auction sale$3,0002006 300C SRT8, 196,000 miles, Bring a Trailer
2026Auction sale$35,0002023 300C, 1,100 miles, Bring a Trailer
2026Auction sale$8,0002005 300C, 47,000 miles, Bring a Trailer
2026Auction sale$6,5002009 300C, 75,000 miles, Bring a Trailer
2026Auction sale$9,5012010 Touring AWD Signature Series, 25k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$28,0002012 SRT8, 31k miles, BaT
2026Value today$6,500–$52,000

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 12 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 14 stories from its legend
    • “Zakspeed's 592-hp manual 300C”
    • “16 straight for Kiekhaefer's mixed team”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 7 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 39 sources
  1. Last Legend Off the Line: 2023 Chrysler 300C Ends Production | Stellantis Blog blog.stellantisnorthamerica.com
  2. 2005-10 Chrysler 300 | Consumer Guide Auto consumerguide.com
  3. Last of a Legend: 6.4L HEMI®-powered 2023 Chrysler 300C Celebrates Iconic Chrysler 300 Model | Stellantis Blog blog.stellantisnorthamerica.com
  4. Styling makes Chrysler 300 a hit - Taipei Times taipeitimes.com
  5. Tested: 2023 Chrysler 300C Is a 485-HP Farewell caranddriver.com
  6. Chrysler 300 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  7. Chrysler 300 Model Years | Chrysler 300 Model Year History jdpower.com
  8. 2005 Chrysler 300C Hemi — Car and Driver caranddriver.com
  9. Chrysler 300 Used Car Buyer’s Guide | Autoweb autoweb.com
  10. 2008 Chrysler 300: Trim Levels, Optional Equipment and Safety caranddriver.com
  11. All-New 2011 Chrysler 300 Sedan Makes Its World Premiere With Head-Turning American Design Combined With World-Class Refinement, Craftsmanship, Innovation and Performance prnewswire.com
  12. Mopar® Marks 75th Anniversary: Unveils Four Custom Vehicles prnewswire.com
  13. New 2015 Chrysler 300: Return of the Big, Bold American Sedan with World-class Levels of Sophistication, Craftsmanship and Technology, Once Again Putting Boulevards and Interstates On Notice prnewswire.com
  14. A Detroit-Tough Fashion Statement: The Chrysler 300C John Varvatos Limited Edition | The Daily Drive | Consumer Guide® blog.consumerguide.com
  15. Chrysler 300C SRT-8 | Forza Horizon Wiki forzahorizonwiki.com
  16. Buying a used Chrysler 300C (2005-2008) - carsales.com.au carsales.com.au
  17. Chrysler 300C/300/SRT8 - project car buyer's guide streetmachine.com.au
  18. SRT® Brand Debuts New 2014 Satin Vapor Editions at Chicago Auto Show prnewswire.com
  19. Chrysler 300 letter series - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  20. Chrysler 300 non-letter series - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  21. Chrysler 300 Club, Incorporated chrysler300clubinc.com
  22. Chrysler Concorde - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  23. Chrysler 300M - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  24. 2015 Chrysler 300 vs. 2015 Hyundai Genesis Comparison motortrend.com
  25. 2004 Detroit: Chrysler attempts to recapture look of '50s with new styling direction autoweek.com
  26. Here Are The Most Important Cars In Hip-Hop jalopnik.com
  27. How Chrysler Is Using A Meth-Cooking Murderer To Sell Cars jalopnik.com
  28. Zakspeed shows new SuperStars car – TouringCarTimes touringcartimes.com
  29. CARL KIEKHAEFER chrysler300club.com
  30. Chrysler 300C Market Values & Price History | backlist.io Market backlist.io
  31. Chrysler 300C SRT8 Market Values & Price History | backlist.io Market backlist.io
  32. 2012 Chrysler 300C Long-Term Road Test caranddriver.com
  33. Chrysler 300 Generations - iSeeCars.com iseecars.com
  34. The Chrysler That's Cheaper Than A Kia But Drives Like A Rolls-Royce - AOL aol.com
  35. No Reserve: 25k-Mile 2010 Chrysler 300 Touring AWD Walter P. Chrysler Signature Series for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $9,501 on September 5, 2026 (Lot #261,668) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  36. 31k-Mile 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $28,000 on February 1, 2026 (Lot #228,509) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  37. No Reserve: 2006 Chrysler 300C SRT8 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $15,250 on October 12, 2025 (Lot #214,496) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  38. 2023 Chrysler 300C for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $43,500 on November 30, 2024 (Lot #172,561) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  39. No Reserve: 36k-Mile 2005 Chrysler 300C for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $12,250 on March 6, 2024 (Lot #138,636) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • blog.stellantisnorthamerica.com
  • consumerguide.com
  • taipeitimes.com
  • caranddriver.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • jdpower.com
  • autoweb.com
  • prnewswire.com
  • blog.consumerguide.com
  • forzahorizonwiki.com
  • carsales.com.au
  • streetmachine.com.au
  • chrysler300clubinc.com
  • motortrend.com

Photo credits

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