Initial Quality – In the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Initial Quality Study (IQS), which measures owner satisfaction with vehicle quality after the first 90 days of ownership, the Chrysler 300 received 3 out of 5 Power Circle Ratings when compared to other vehicles in its class.

Performance and Design – In the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout Study (APEAL), which measures owner satisfaction with performance and design attributes of a vehicle, the Chrysler 300 received 3 out of 5 Power Circle Ratings when compared to other vehicles in its class.

Vehicle Dependability – In the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), which measures owner satisfaction with the reliability of a vehicle after three years of ownership, the Chrysler 300 received 4 out of 5 Power Circle Ratings when compared to other vehicles in its class.

Fuel Economy – The 2009 Chrysler 300 is equipped with the buyer’s choice between four different engines: a 2.7-liter V-6, a 3.5-liter V-6, a 5.7-liter V-8, or a 6.1-liter V-8. Furthermore, the Chrysler 300 can be equipped with an all-wheel-drive system when the 3.5-liter V-6 or 5.7-liter V-8 is selected. A four-speed automatic transmission is paired with the V-6 engines while a five-speed automatic with manual gear selection is included with the V-8 engines.

Fuel economy, as might be expected, varies widely depending on powertrain choice. For models with V-6 engines, the range is between 17 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. For the V-8 models, the range is between 13 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway.

Our review vehicle, a 300C Heritage Edition with the 5.7-liter V-8 engine, is rated by the EPA to get 16 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. We averaged 21.1 mpg during 1,400 miles of primarily highway driving with two adults, three children, and a full trunk. Combined with the 300’s standard 19-gallon fuel tank, this actual fuel economy figure results in an approximate 400-mile highway range between fill-ups.

Safety – According to the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 2009 Chrysler 300 receives 5-star crash-test ratings for the driver and front passenger in a frontal impact, a 4-star side-impact crash-test rating for front seat occupants, a 5-star side-impact crash-test rating for rear seat occupants, and a 4-star rollover rating with rear- or all-wheel drive. Note that these test results were generated using a Chrysler 300 that was not equipped with the optional side and curtain airbags.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives the Chrysler 300 a “Good” rating in the offset frontal impact test, a “Poor” rating in the side impact test, and a “Marginal” rating in the rear impact test. Note that these test results were generated using a Chrysler 300 that was not equipped with the optional side and curtain airbags.

Environment – According to the EPA, the 2009 Chrysler 300 equipped with one of the V-6 engines consumes between 16.3 and 18 barrels of petroleum annually, depending on engine and drivetrain, with a carbon footprint rating ranging between 8.7 and 9.6 tons of air pollution per year. The Chrysler 300 equipped with one of the V-8 engines consumes between 18 and 22.8 barrels of petroleum annually, depending on engine and drivetrain, with a carbon footprint rating ranging between 9.6 and 12.2 tons of air pollution per year.

When equipped with a V-6 engine, the Chrysler 300’s national air pollution score is 6 out of 10. The smaller V-6 also receives 6 out of 10 for California and New England, while the larger V-6 receives a 7 out of 10 score for those two regions. When equipped with the 5.7-liter V-8 engine, the Chrysler 300’s national air pollution score is 7 out of 10. The score is also 7 out of 10 in California and New England. The EPA does not publish air pollution scores for the 6.1-liter V-8 engine.