Chrysler 300C Saloon (05-10) - Review

Although three can sit in the back, the middle seat is really just for show - it's too narrow with little foot room for an adult to sit comfortably. That said the two outer seats are big, wide and very comfortable with a huge amount of legroom (it has a longer wheelbase than the 2002 BMW 7-Series, but is shorter in overall length). It's remarkably quiet at speed, with wind and road noise kept to acceptable levels, although the diesel engine can sound a little vocal at high revs.

The boot is huge (see gallery), wide, deep and more than capable of swallowing a family's luggage. However on paper, its 504 litres of space makes it smaller than alternatives like the Audi A6 and BMW 5-Series. The load lip is also quite high off the ground, so loading heavy or bulky items can prove difficult. On the plus side there's plenty of stowage inside including a large glovebox and a number of cubby holes and cupholders.

This cabin is the best that Chrysler has ever produced - it's simple, clear and comfortable to be in. This makes it an easy car to drive with well-placed controls and a comfortable driving position but one downside is that the steering wheel adjusts for height only, although the driver's seat has a number of adjustments. Visibility isn't great because of the 300C's shape. A narrow rear screen means the view out of the back can be restricted, while thick windscreen pillars can make pulling out of junctions trickier. In 2008 the model was facelifted with the main focus being the cabin. The design was enhanced with a new instrument panel and centre console design, highlighted with satin silver trim. Soft touch surfaces on the arm rests and door panels were added while new dark interior colours make it feel more sophisticated. A new ignition key with one-touch start-up, a fully adjustable steering wheel (including reach) as well as LED lighting in the front cup holders and front and rear door pockets were all welcome improvements.