2021 Chrysler 300 vs 2021 BMW 2 Series

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, introduced as a new model the previous year, marked a departure from BMW's traditional rear-wheel-drive setup by offering standard front-wheel drive in the U.S. market. Despite its name, the Gran Coupe was a four-door sedan with a conventional trunk, lacking the utility of its larger sibling, the 4 Series Gran Coupe. It served as an entry-level option for those aspiring to own a BMW, featuring the iconic kidney-shaped grille and blue-and-white roundel. The 2 Series Gran Coupe was available in 228i and M235i models, with xDrive all-wheel-drive optional for the 228i and standard for the M235i. For 2021, BMW added standard equipment, restricted the sport automatic transmission to specific packages, and introduced new suspension and safety features. The test model, a 228i xDrive Gran Coupe, came equipped with various packages and options, bringing its MSRP to $48,595.

The design of the 2 Series Gran Coupe faced challenges due to its front-drive platform, but BMW employed visual tricks like large LED headlights and grilles to improve its proportions. The cabin was pulled back to enhance the dashboard-to-axle ratio, and the tapering roofline extended the car's appearance, culminating in a busy rear end. Inside, the Gran Coupe adhered to BMW's modern design language, featuring geometric shapes, a touchscreen infotainment system, and digital instrumentation. The materials were upscale, with metallic trim adding contrast, and the optional leather upholstery was appealing. Despite being an entry-level model, the 2 Series Gran Coupe, when equipped with premium features, did not look or feel like a basic BMW.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 retained its classic appearance, reminiscent of its major facelift in 2014. Its "three-box design" gave it a timeless profile, evoking a sense of nostalgia without the retrofuturist influence seen in other models. The 300's design was straightforward yet elegant, appealing to those who appreciated its traditional look. The grille and headlights had evolved over the years, with the 2021 version featuring bi-xenon halogen projector lamps and LED driving lamps on lower trims. Higher trims offered adaptive HID lamps, and the grille options varied between black and chrome, maintaining a tough, no-nonsense appearance.

The Chrysler 300 offered a range of wheel options, starting with 17-inch silver alloys on the base Touring trim and progressing to 20-inch Black Noise wheels on the 300S. Inside, the 300 boasted interior quality that rivaled more expensive cars, with cloth upholstery on the base model and Nappa leather on higher trims. The 300S featured perforated inserts and accent stitching, with heated front seats standard on top trims and heated rear seats available. The 300's interior was spacious, providing ample legroom and passenger volume, making it a comfortable choice for those seeking a luxury sedan experience.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe posed a question about whether a front-drive platform could uphold BMW's reputation as the "ultimate driving machine." While some critics, like George Kennedy, were skeptical, others found the 228i Gran Coupe comparable to the revered Volkswagen GTI, both featuring a 228-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The BMW offered optional xDrive all-wheel drive, enhancing its performance on various road surfaces. The 228i xDrive Gran Coupe accelerated from zero to 60 mph in six seconds, powered by a turbocharged inline-four engine paired with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission. The car featured performance-enhancing technology, including brake-fade compensation and cornering brake control, and offered three driving modes. The M Sport Package added fantastic steering, making the car nimble and enjoyable to drive, with a firm suspension that kept it glued to the road. The 228i xDrive Gran Coupe averaged 27.9 mpg during testing, slightly exceeding the EPA's estimate.

The 2021 Chrysler 300, while not designed for speed, offered solid performance with its 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine, delivering 292 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque in the 300 Touring and Touring L trims, and 300 hp and 264 lb-ft in the 300S. The 300S also offered an optional 5.7-liter V8 engine with 363 hp and 394 lb-ft of torque, the only V8 available in its class. Both engines came with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with paddle shifters on the 300S. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option. The 300 provided a comfortable and quiet ride, with a traditional luxury feel in higher trims. The V8 power in the 300S offered an enjoyable driving experience, though not as powerful as its Dodge Charger sibling.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe was practical for transporting two young and agile individuals. The sport-bolstered, 10-way power-adjustable front seats were snug yet comfortable, with adequate storage for everyday items. Entry and exit were not effortless due to the car's low-slung design, but this was expected for a sedan rather than a higher-riding SUV. The Gran Coupe's rear doors and back seat were less convincing, with limited space for larger passengers. The traditional trunk offered 15.2 cubic feet of cargo space, including a storage compartment under the load floor, and the 40/20/40-split folding rear seat added utility. However, the car lacked the sportback design of its 4 Series sibling, limiting its cargo-carrying capabilities.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 provided generous front and rear legroom, with 41.8 inches in the front and 40.1 inches in the back, surpassing entry-luxury competitors like the Lexus ES350. The 300 offered 106.3 cubic feet of passenger volume, classifying it as a midsize sedan, and its trunk volume of 16.3 cubic feet was strong for the class. The spacious interior made the 300 a comfortable choice for those seeking a luxury sedan with ample room for passengers and cargo.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe came equipped with Live Cockpit Plus, featuring a 5.1-inch display between traditional analog gauges. The Premium Package upgraded to Live Cockpit Pro, with a fully digital 10.25-inch display, paired with an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system using BMW's iDrive 7.0 technology. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, navigation, and connected services, with over-the-air updates. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with responsive software and multiple control options. The car featured a premium sound system with ten speakers, and Gesture Control was available for stereo volume and radio station changes. A full-color head-up display was also included, though it was less effective with polarized sunglasses.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 retained its intuitive Uconnect 4C infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard features. The system was user-friendly, with prominent knobs and excellent steering wheel controls. The Popular Equipment Group added a 506-watt amp, nine premium Alpine speakers, GPS navigation, SiriusXM Traffic Plus, surround sound, a trunk-mounted subwoofer, and a dual-pane sunroof. While not cheap, this package added desirable technology and features to the 300.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe offered a Driving Assistance Package with adaptive cruise control and a parking-assistant feature, though the test car did not have this upgrade. It included advanced driving-assistance systems under the Active Driving Assistant umbrella, such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, active blind-spot warning, and a speed limit information system. The lane-keeping assistance was effective but could be aggressive. The IIHS rated the 2 Series Gran Coupe highly for crash protection, though it missed a Top Safety Pick due to poor headlight ratings and a less-than-perfect vehicle-to-pedestrian test.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 received top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests, except for "Marginal" scores in small overlap tests and a "Poor" rating for headlights. The NHTSA awarded it a four-star overall crash test rating, with a five-star rating for combined side barrier and side pole crash tests. The 300 offered active head restraints, airbags, traction and stability control, and advanced safety features in higher trims and packages. However, advanced safety equipment was not standard, making it less competitive with vehicles like the Honda Accord and Subaru Legacy.