2005 Chrysler 300 Review: The Best Car in its Class, but it’s Effectively a Class of One

The 2005 Chrysler 300 finds the middle ground between muscle car performance and luxury car comfort. The result is a car that’s just as fun to drive as it is classy. Unfortunately, it’s not the most-cost effective option on the market.

Is the 2005 Chrysler 300 a Good Used Car?

• Overall Rating 8/10 – For what it is, the 2005 Chrysler 300 is awesome. But how many uses do you really have for a two-ton muscle car with a luxury interior?
• Interior, Comfort & Cargo 9/10 – The only reason it’s not a perfect ten is because it doesn’t come with a pickup bed in the back. This is one of the most comfortable cars on the road today.
• Reliability 6/10 – You’ll probably make the first 200,000 miles with no major repairs. But when they start to add up, they really start to add up.
• Safety 8/10 – Onboard safety tech is better than average for a 2005 sedan, and crash test scores are solid.
• Gas Mileage 6/10 – The base entry averages a respectable 21/28 miles to the gallon, city/highway, but the SRT8 model gets a measly 14/20. There are full-size trucks that are more efficient than that.
• Value 5/10 – The entry-level 300 isn’t a terrible bargain, priced in the low-$4,000 range. But the higher-end models can go up to nine grand, which, combined with lousy fuel economy, expensive repairs, and short life expectancy, makes the car a pretty lousy deal overall.

What Do Critics Say About the 2005 Chrysler 300?

Consumer Reports were impressed with the strong, bold styling of the 2005 Chrysler 300 but found the vehicle fairly underwhelming overall. They considered the ride, handling, V6 engine performance, and interior adequate, but far from class-leading.

Kelley Blue Book users give the 300 a very strong 90% recommendation. Drivers praised the Chrysler 300’s reliable powertrain, solid handling, and smooth ride, with one driver saying that it “rides like a magic carpet after 17 years on the road.”

Edmunds praised the 300’s “chiseled and masculine” good looks, they liked the powerful V8 engine in the 300C model, and they found the overall experience of driving one to be luxurious. They criticized the base V6 for being a bit sluggish, and the stereo controls for being non-intuitive.

What Common Problems Does the 2005 Chrysler 300 Have?

Airbags have been the 2005 Chrysler 300’s biggest problem, making up 286 of the car’s 1,115 total complaints on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. There have been three airbag recalls, the last one in 2016, but reports of airbag warning lights persist as late as 2022.

There are 121 complaints on file for fuel/propulsion, and another 94 for the fuel system. The most worrying issue being reported: A strong gasoline smell inside the cabin and outside the car when the tank is full. The issue seems to be related to a faulty o-ring. There have been no recalls or investigations into the matter.

The 2005 Chrysler 300 has 239 powertrain complaints on file, and 121 for engine problems. One of the most concerning issues here sees the car stalling out when the fuel tank is topped off. The engine continues to sputter and stall until the excess fuel has been used.

There have been 7 recalls and 1,115 complaints registered with the NHTSA for the 2005 Chrysler 300. 1,115 complaints might not be worrying on its own, but when you consider that so many of these are for powertrain and engine issues, and possible fuel leaks, it gets to be concerning.x

How Long Will the 2005 Chrysler 300 Last?

You should expect a used 2005 Chrysler 300 to last a maximum of 200,000 miles before the more expensive repairs start to pile up. If you’re buying a used 300 you’ll want to shop for one with the lowest mileage you can find, as these cars can’t match the longevity of comparable Hondas, Fords, and Toyotas.

RepairPal estimate an annual maintenance cost of $631, with the most expensive common fixes being new oil pan gaskets, starting at around $438, and trans oil cooler lines at $440.

How Is the Technology?

Entertainment technology onboard the 2005 Chrysler 300 is pretty good for the model year. You get a CD player as a standard feature and a six-disc CD changer in the higher trim levels. The SRT8 comes with an MP3 player and six Boston Acoustics speakers.

Safety technology is, likewise, pretty good for 2005. You’ve got next-gen airbags with occupant sensors as a standard feature, and the higher trim levels include traction control, anti-lock brakes, and even parking assist, which was almost unheard of in 2005.

Is the 2005 Chrysler 300 a Good Value?

An entry-level 2005 Chrysler 300 is a fair value, the other ones, not so much. The base model typically lists at around $4,209 with 150,000 miles on the odometer. At the higher end, 300C SRT8 models typically list at around $8,295, and the fair market range goes over nine thousand bucks.

When you consider the car’s relatively short life expectancy and moderate cost of ownership, it’s just not worth it at anything more than four, five thousand dollars, especially considering that an MP3 player isn’t as impressive a feature now as it was back in 2005.

What are the Different Models of the 2005 Chrysler 300?

The 2005 Chrysler 300 is available in a V6 and a V8 line, each with a base and a high-end model, and each with an optional all-wheel drive variant, for six models total.

The Base V6 offers:

• Manual air conditioning
• Remote keyless entry
• Power windows and door locks
• Premium cloth seating
• CD player with 4 speakers

With the high-end Touring you’re adding:

• Fog lights
• Heated mirrors
• Leather seating
• Anti-lock brakes and traction control

The Touring is also available in all-wheel drive.

The V8-powered 300C features:

• Leather seating
• Anti-lock brakes and traction control
• Rain sensing windshield wipers
• Heated mirrors
• Remote keyless entry
• Heated seats
• Dual zone automatic air conditioning

The 300C AWD is based on the base 300C model.

With the top-of-the-line 300C SRT8 you get:

• Perforated suede/leather seating
• Parksense parking assist
• Cruise control
• 6-disc CD changer with MP3 player and 6 Boston Acoustics speakers

What Engines Come In the 2005 Chrysler 300?

• The 300’s starter engine is a 2.7L V6 delivering 190 horsepower and 190 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic transmission in rear wheel drive and averages 21/28 miles to the gallon, city/highway.
• In the 300 Touring model you’ll find a 3.5L V6 delivering 250 horsepower and 250 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic in rear wheel drive in the Touring model, or 5-speed automatic in all wheel drive in the Touring AWD, and it averages 19/27 miles to the gallon in rear wheel drive, and 17/24 in AWD.
• The 300C comes packed with a 5.7L Hemi delivering 340 horsepower and 390 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 5-speed automatic in rear wheel drive in the standard 300C, and all wheel drive in the 300C AWD model. The 5.7L averages 17/25 miles to the gallon in rear wheel drive, or 17/24 in AWD.
• In the 300C SRT8 you’ll find a 6.1L SRT Hemi V8 delivering 425 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 5-speed automatic, it’s configured in rear wheel drive, and it averages 14/20 miles to the gallon.

What Colors Does the 2005 Chrysler 300 Come In?

How Comfortable Is the 2005 Chrysler 300?

The 2005 Chrysler 300 is one of the most comfortable cars on the road today. You won’t find many complaints on file for the suspension, you’ve got 56 inches of hip room in the back so seating five adults in the car should be no issue, and the cabin is more luxurious than most in this class.

How Much Storage Space Does the 2005 Chrysler 300 Have?

The 2005 Chrysler 300 can pack 15.6 cubic feet in the trunk. That‘s enough for four or five medium sized suitcases, and you can fold the back seats down if you need any additional space. Inside, you’ll find plenty of pockets, slots, and cupholders for everything you want to bring with you.

What Are the Differences Between Years?

The 2005 Chrysler 300 was the first model year in the 1st Generation for the full-size sedan, running from 2005 to 2010.

2005: The 300 first hit the market with a chassis built on the rear-wheel Chrysler LX platform. The bold appearance was inspired by Mercedes-Benz design principles, with AWD models actually using Mercedes-Benz’s 4MATIC system.

2006: 2006 saw the introduction of a diesel-powered V6 model, courtesy of a Mercedes-Benz 3.0L.

2007: Adaptive cruise control and SmartBeam headlights were added as options for 2007, and the wheels were given a flashy new redesign.

2008: Chrysler debuted a load of new entertainment features for 2008, including Sirius Backseat TV, and the Chrysler MyGig, a 20-gig storage system hosting music, photos, and navigation information.

How Does the 2005 Chrysler 300 Compare to the Competition?

The 2005 Chrysler 300 dominates its own unique niche as a muscle car with some luxury car leanings. It doesn’t have many direct competitors, but the 2005 Ford Mustang offers slightly better performance at the entry level, and costs around $3,000 more. At the higher end, a 300C delivers more power for the same price.

Other muscle cars are generally so expensive that they don’t really compete with the 300 and the Mustang. A Pontiac GTO, for instance, starts in the $15,000 range, which is probably more than you want to spend on a 2005 model car.

For what it is, the Chrysler 300 is the best in class. Muscle/luxury cars are kind of a niche market.

Do Owners Recommend the 2005 Chrysler 300?