Chrysler 300C SRT-8 (06-10) - Review

The top 300C comes with most of the comfort features expected in a car costing around £40,000. Electronic climate control is standard as are leather seats (heated, electrically adjustable and with lumbar support in the front). The glass area is quite shallow, restricting the amount of light that comes into the cabin and there is some noise from the tyres at speed, but wind noise is limited, and owners will probably think any of the engine noise heard at higher revs rather enjoyable.

At more than five metres long, parking can be a challenge, so usefully rear parking sensors are standard. It's always been available as a saloon, although a Touring version was offered from February 2007 until the end of that year. The estate makes more sense if you have loads to carry, but the saloon has a useful boot - albeit smaller than rivals like the BMW M5 and Audi RS6. It has a 504-litre boot, and should swallow most things associated with a week's holiday for a family. The rear seats also split and fold for extra versatility. No estate version is offered on the SRT-8, but there is a Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 that uses the same engine.

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. Unfortunately the interior isn't that special for a performance car and there isn't a great deal to distinguish it from the standard car except SRT markings on the instruments. 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.