2012 Chrysler 300 S

I tried to find something I didn't like about this 2012 Chrysler 300 S, but I couldn't. The 300 S, it would appear, is the state of the art of Detroit sedans today. The car is comfortable, loaded with technology and packs nearly 400 hp under the hood. The navigation/radio screen is, if not the largest, one of the largest in the industry. The touch screen is easily navigable. I even liked the red leather seats and especially the Beats by Dr. Dre audio system. And while the 300 has been around for a while, this car was noticed by a couple of people who had to have more information while I was filling it up this morning. The changes Chrysler made to this second-generation model were subtle but significant, especially on the interior. There a couple of terrific big sedans coming from the Detroit 3 these days, including the Ford Taurus and Buick LaCrosse. Until Cadillac re-enters the mix with a full-size sedan, in my mind this 300 S is at the top of the heap.  Compared with the $40,000 Nissan Maxima I drove last week, this car is a bargain for $3,000 more; and like Hart, I'm having a hard time finding anything I don't like. Roomy, well built and fast, that about sums it up. I thought the engine provided better than decent poke, and while there was a wee bit more body roll than I thought there would be, it wasn't anything too extreme. It's really quiet on the road. There must be a ton of insulation, and I noticed double-pane glass, both of which help. The interior is a nice place to spend time. Overall, it's a comfortable, quiet sedan that approaches muscle-car performance when you need it, and it's more refined than the car it replaces. 2012 Chrysler 300 S Base Price: $39,995 As-Tested Price: $43,210 Drivetrain: 5.7-liter V8; RWD, five-speed automatic Output: 363 hp @ 5,200 rpm, 394 lb-ft @ 4,200 rpm Curb Weight: 4,235 lb Fuel Economy (EPA/AW): 19/22.8 mpg Options: SafetyTec package including multifunction power-folding mirrors, adaptive bixenon HID headlamps, automatic headlamp-leveling system, adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, blind spot and cross-path detection, rear fog lamps, exterior mirrors with supplemental signals and courtesy lamps ($2,420); Uconnect Touch 8.4 including CD/DVD player with MP3 compatibility, SiriusXM traffic, Garmin navigation, SiriusXM Travel Link ($795)