2020 BMW 3 Series vs 2021 Chrysler 300

The 2020 BMW 3 Series evoked memories of majestic marine life, with its lidded headlights, bulging curved hood, wide lower air intakes, and oversize grille giving it an aquatic appearance. Despite its high price, starting at $40,750 and rising to $56,000 for the M340i with xDrive, the 3 Series was praised for its driving experience, particularly the M340i trim. The interior offered a variety of colors and materials, with the test car featuring off-white Ivory leather and Tanzanite Blue exterior paint. The quality of the interior was noted to be high, making the car's price more palatable.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 retained its classic "three-box design" since its 2014 facelift, giving it a timeless and straightforward profile. The car's appearance was described as reminiscent of another era, with bi-xenon halogen projector lamps and LED driving lamps on lower trims, and adaptive HID lamps on higher trims. The grille options varied between black and chrome, maintaining a tough, no-nonsense look. Wheel options ranged from 17-inch silver alloys to 20-inch Black Noise wheels on the 300S. The interior quality was high, with cloth upholstery on the base trim and Nappa leather on higher trims, offering a luxurious feel.

The 2020 BMW 3 Series addressed previous criticisms of its driving dynamics with significant structural and suspension changes, including greater component rigidity and reduced unsprung mass. The M340i trim featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine producing 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The car's handling was enhanced by BMW’s rear-biased xDrive all-wheel-drive system, a rear M Sport differential, and M Sport brakes. The M340i xDrive could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds, making it a thrilling drive despite the lack of a manual transmission.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 offered a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine with 292 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque in the 300 Touring and 300 Touring L, and 300 horsepower and 264 pound-feet in the 300S. The 300S also had an optional 5.7-liter V8 engine with 363 horsepower and 394 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with paddle shifters on the 300S. The driving experience varied by trim, with the base model feeling like a rental upgrade, while higher trims offered a more traditional luxury experience. The V8 power in the 300S provided a fun driving experience, though not as powerful as its Dodge Charger sibling.

The 2020 BMW 3 Series featured simple and supportive front seats, high-quality leather, and front-seat heaters. The rear seats were comfortable but had awkward entry and exit. The car's controls were sometimes hard to find, with clumsy climate controls and a video game-like digital instrumentation. However, the widescreen infotainment system and iDrive were well-integrated, and storage space was generous, with a 17-cubic-foot trunk.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 offered generous front and rear legroom, with 41.8 inches in the front and 40.1 inches in the back. The car had 106.3 cubic feet of passenger volume, beating competitors like the Genesis G70 and Lexus ES350. The trunk offered 16.3 cubic feet of cargo space, enough for four large suitcases, making it a practical choice for those needing ample space.

The 2020 BMW 3 Series featured the latest iDrive infotainment system with a touchscreen display, natural voice recognition, and gesture control. The system was easy to use, with intuitive menu pathways and a clean, minimalistic design. The "Hey, BMW" voice recognition system was excellent, responding to natural commands for navigation, climate control, and more. The head-up display was visible even with polarized sunglasses, adding to the car's tech appeal.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 retained its simple and informative instrument panel and center stack, with the Uconnect 4C infotainment system and an 8.4-inch touchscreen. The system was intuitive, with prominent knobs and excellent steering wheel controls. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the Popular Equipment Group added premium audio, navigation, and a dual-pane sunroof for those wanting more tech features.

The 2020 BMW 3 Series required two Driving Assistance option packages for the latest ADAS features. While the systems were accurate, they lacked smoothness, and the lane-keeping assist was abrupt. The car received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS when equipped with adaptive full LED headlights.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 received top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests but had "Marginal" and "Poor" ratings for small overlap tests and headlights, respectively. The NHTSA gave it a four-star overall rating, with a five-star rating for combined side barrier and side pole crash tests. The car offered a range of safety features, but advanced safety equipment was only available on higher trims and packages.