2021 Chrysler 300 vs 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid

The 2021 Chrysler 300 retained much of its classic design, reminiscent of its major facelift in 2014. Its old-school "three-box design" gave it a straightforward profile that was easy to recognize. The car's appearance was timeless, evoking a sense of nostalgia without leaning into retrofuturism. From the base 300 trim to the high-end 300S, the Chrysler 300 maintained a dignified look that could impress at any valet stand. The grille and headlights had evolved over the years, with the 2021 model featuring bi-xenon halogen projector lamps and LED driving lamps on lower trims, while higher trims offered adaptive HID lamps. Wheel options ranged from 17-inch silver alloys to 20-inch Black Noise wheels, depending on the trim and package.

The interior of the Chrysler 300 was equally impressive, offering quality that rivaled more expensive cars. The base 300 Touring featured cloth upholstery and an eight-way power driver’s seat, while the 300 Touring L and 300S came standard with Nappa leather upholstery. The 300S also included perforated inserts and accent stitching. Heated front seats were standard on the top two trims, with heated rear seats available as well. Overall, the Chrysler 300 provided a luxurious and comfortable experience for both driver and passengers.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid, while mostly a carryover from the previous year, featured a futuristic and expressive exterior design. Its front end was particularly striking, with a sneering face and muscular features. The base model came with 16-inch steel wheels, while higher trims offered 17-inch, 18-inch, and even 19-inch alloy wheels. The interior was equally modern, with a wild dashboard design that included a sweeping curve from the driver’s side to the center console. The center stack housed a large infotainment touchscreen, and the gear selector and dual cupholder were conveniently placed in the center console. The second row was spacious and comfortable, even for the middle seat, which was often neglected in other cars. Toyota’s attention to fit and finish was evident, with smooth, glossy paint and high-quality materials throughout the vehicle.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 was not designed for speed, but it offered solid performance with its 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine. The engine produced 292 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque in the 300 Touring and 300 Touring L, and 300 horsepower and 264 pound-feet of torque 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 available on the 300S. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available as a $2,750 option on all trims except the 300S. The driving experience varied by trim, with the base model offering a quiet and comfortable ride, while the V8-powered 300S provided a more exhilarating experience.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid focused on fuel efficiency rather than performance. The entry-level LE model achieved an impressive EPA-rated fuel economy of 51 mpg city, 53 mpg highway, and 52 mpg combined. Other trim levels offered 44 mpg city, 47 mpg highway, and 46 mpg combined. The hybrid system combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with two electric motors, producing a total system output of 208 horsepower. Power was sent to the front wheels via an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Camry Hybrid offered multiple drive modes, including EV, Eco, Normal, and Sport, although keeping the car in EV mode was challenging. The hybrid's handling was commendable, thanks to the low-mounted lithium-ion battery pack, which lowered the car's center of gravity. However, the focus on fuel economy sometimes came at the expense of responsiveness.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 offered generous interior space, with 41.8 inches of front legroom and 40.1 inches of rear legroom. This made it competitive with entry-luxury sedans like the Lexus ES350 and Toyota Avalon. The car provided 106.3 cubic feet of passenger volume, which was impressive for its class. Trunk space was also ample, with 16.3 cubic feet of cargo space, enough to accommodate four large suitcases.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid excelled in ride height, seating position, and overall ease of use. The driving position was comfortable and adjustable, catering to a wide range of driver heights and preferences. The front seats offered plenty of storage options, including a spacious glove compartment and multiple nooks and crannies throughout the dash. The second row was easy to access and provided a comfortable, roomy space for passengers. The Camry Hybrid's trunk offered 15.1 cubic feet of space, thanks to the low-mounted battery pack. A passthrough allowed for the transport of long items, and the second row could fold down to accommodate larger cargo. Toyota's warranty coverage was comprehensive, including a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty, a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, and a 10-year/100,000-mile hybrid battery warranty.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 featured the Uconnect 4C infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, which was standard across all trims. The system was intuitive and user-friendly, with prominent knobs and excellent steering wheel-mounted controls. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. The $3,495 Popular Equipment Group added a 506-watt amplifier, nine premium Alpine speakers, GPS navigation, SiriusXM Traffic Plus, surround sound, a trunk-mounted subwoofer, and a dual-pane sunroof.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid was equipped with Toyota’s latest technology features. The premium audio system, tuned by Harman International’s JBL division, was available on XLE and XSE models and included nine speakers and sophisticated algorithms for high-quality sound. Embedded navigation was also available on these trims. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa were standard across all models, along with a WiFi hotspot. The LE, SE, and SE Nightshade trims featured a 7-inch touchscreen, while the XLE and XSE trims had a 9-inch touchscreen. Additional features included Toyota’s smart key system, push-button start, automatic LED headlights, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a 10-inch color head-up display on XSE models.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 received mixed safety ratings. It earned top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests but received a "Marginal" score in the small overlap tests and a "Poor" rating for headlights. The NHTSA awarded it a four-star overall crash test rating, with four-star ratings for driver and passenger side crash tests and a four-star rollover rating. The 300 did receive a five-star rating for NHTSA's combined side barrier and side pole crash test. Safety features included active head restraints, multiple airbags, traction and stability control, brake assist, rain brake support, ready alert braking, and hill start assist. Advanced safety features were available but required stepping up to higher trims and packages.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ (TSS 2.5+), which included a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert with steering assist, Lane Tracing Assist, automatic high beams, and traffic-sign recognition. The Camry Hybrid also featured Toyota’s Star safety system, which included stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and smart stop technology. The car was equipped with 10 airbags, three-point seatbelts for all seating positions, LATCH lower anchors for child safety seats, and a tire pressure monitoring system. A blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert was available on lower trims and standard on higher trims. The 2021 Camry Hybrid received the highest Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, and the 2022 model was expected to receive the same rating. The NHTSA awarded the 2022 Camry Hybrid a five-star overall safety rating.