2009 Chrysler 300C AWD Road Test Review

300 Photos

Looks the same on the outside, but way more advanced underneath the skin. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

RWD to save fuel... (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

AWD when traction is needed, or when the on-board computer detects wheelspin, hooliganism or low temperatures. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

Revised Hemi V8 has more power and torque, but better fuel economy. (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

The 300 is one of the only cars that'll allow you to tune in to live TV in front and back. The front seat display only works when the vehicle's gearshift lever is in "Park". (Photo: Justin Couture, American Auto Press)

Earlier this year, Chrysler officials announced that they would be introducing a barrage of new technologies and features in the coming months, but would be adopting a different strategy to launch them. Typically, a manufacturer might wait months or even years to introduce an instrumental feature, saving it for a facelift or a mid-life refresh. Chrysler promised that it would be bucking the trend by introducing technologies as they arrive. We’ve already seen it with the brand’s push-button start and proximity key system for the Challenger SRT8, the uConnect web internet for in-car broadband, as well as the Rear Cross Detection System and Blind Spot Detection systems on the 2009 model year minivans.

Another critical new technology that’s being added to Chrysler’s line-up is a brand new all wheel drive system for its LX-chassis sedans. With the current 300 and Charger, one could buy all wheel drive with either the 3.5-liter V6 or the 5.7-liter HEMI V8. Compared to other all wheel drive systems, Chrysler’s was prehistoric at best. Power was distributed to the front and rear wheels in a fixed split with 38-percent up front and 62-percent to the rear, which certainly got the power to all four wheels, but it didn’t shift the power balance to adapt to changing road conditions like most new all wheel drive systems can.

However, if you ask Chrysler officials why they’ve opted to switch to a new system, the reason they’ll give you is for fuel economy. Equipped with all wheel drive, a 300 with the 3.5-liter V6 consumes an estimated 17 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. That’s a hefty increase in consumption from the rear wheel drive model’s rating of 19 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. The problem isn’t as pronounced on the V8 model, where RWD and AWD post the same fuel economy figures in the city (17 mpg), with a slight increase on the highway for the AWD model. The fact that the V8 AWD posts better fuel economy in the city and equal fuel economy on the highway compared to the V6 AWD is surprising, but it comes down to the Hemi’s MDS cylinder deactivation and the fact that the big V8, with plenty of torque, can more easily overcome the weight and friction gains of the all wheel drive system.


The new system is made up of two different technologies, Active Transfer Case and Front-axle Disconnect which work together to make things better when it comes to filling up at the pumps. Taking a page from the world of SUVs and pickup trucks, the Borg Warner-developed system uses a new transfer case that automatically connects and disconnects the linkage that drives the front wheels. The system is seamless, just like MDS cylinder deactivation, so in order to inform the driver which wheels are being fed power an indicator diagram gets flashed on the instrument panel. Chrysler also says that the new system will have reduced levels of noise, vibration and harshness, although the current system wasn’t bad in these areas.

As with most active all wheel drive cars, there are certain parameters under which power is distributed to both the front and the rear wheels. The 300’s front wheels will kick in when wheelspin is detected, but this is only one of many different situations when they do. Seeing as the goal was to make the system as seamless as possible, all wheel drive engages under some rather clever situations. Should the driver drop the gearshift lever into the manual mode, the front wheels engage. If the temperature dips below a certain point, the system will also engage, in anticipation of snow and ice.


On Chrysler’s proving grounds, the 300C with the new AWD system handled admirably. There’s a bit of a difference to be felt around corners when the front wheels are being fed power, but the transition is indeed seamless. Around one particularly sharp turn under full throttle, the 300’s stability control program tripped, and the transfer case hooked up the front wheels. After about a half a minute of calm driving, the system reverted back to RWD. As with the MDS cylinder deactivation system, a display between the tach and the speedometer will flash, indicating what driving wheels are in use. It can be disabled if it proves to be distracting to drivers.

The new 300 AWD has yet to be tested via the US’ EPA standards, but Chrysler expects improvements from the system alone to equate for a 1 mpg increase over 300s with the old all wheel drive setup. In the real world, the V6 AWD could potentially post better figures than its RWD counterpart (due to the fact that the V6 AWD has a five-speed automatic versus the RWD’s four-speed), while the V8’s figures should also improve.

In addition for ‘09, Chrysler has also fitted the new second-generation 5.7-liter Hemi V8 to the 300C, and it now comes with variable valve timing, variable intake manifold, higher compression ratio and other modifications to enhance airflow through the engine and exhaust. This means considerably more power is on tap: 30 more horsepower and 8 lb-ft of additional torque for a grand total of 370 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque. And yet, the engine is five-percent more efficient than before due to VVT and tweaks to the MDS cylinder deactivation system, which allows the engine to operate as a four-cylinder for longer durations of time.

Other than that, the 300 is still a classic American full-size luxury sedan. Last year’s interior and exterior upgrades improved the appearance and the ambiance, making it the most desirable 300 to date. Likewise, with such high-end features as radar cruise control, full iPod integration, reverse camera and more.

And you can bet as time passes on you’ll find more technologies and features trickling down into the 300, such as proximity sensing keyless access with push-button start, and even hybrid technology. Chrysler had a good thing going with the 300, and though sales have tapered off since its launch, updates such as these will keep this big sedan around for years to come.

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