2022 Acura TLX vs 2023 Chrysler 300

The 2022 Acura TLX projected the wide and long stance of a luxury sedan, coming off as positively big. Taking cues from the 1990s Pontiac slogan "Wider is Better," the TLX was more than three inches wider than the BMW 3 Series, with a substantial track width nearly three inches wider at the back and almost two inches up front. With thin headlights pressed against a five-sided grille and a sculpted front bumper, the car exhibited a bold, big-body aesthetic, much of which was nine inches longer than the 3 Series, concentrated on the low-slung hood. Acura balanced substantiality with minimal fuss, save for the L-shaped running lights and starburst grille.

The Type S variant added exclusive paint colors like Tiger Eye Pearl and Performance Red Pearl, enhancing its aggressive look with 20-inch Y-spoke gray wheels inspired by the Acura NSX, fiery red brake calipers, and black polished accents. The TLX A-Spec mirrored much of this flair, but only the Type S featured four fat exhaust pipes and open outer front air intakes, which cooled the larger brakes by omiting fog lights.

While the TLX's exterior bulk did not translate into internal spaciousness, the interior boasted impressive detailing and a snug fit. The narrow center console, silver drive mode dial, and inward curves created a sharp contrast with the wide dash and center console. Upper trims elevated sophistication further with LED strips, light matte wood, and an overall Scandinavian vibe. Type S models added faux-suede inserts, red stitching, and creamy white or flaming red leather options that stood out against comparably conservative offerings from Audi, Lexus, Infiniti, or Jaguar.

The 2023 Chrysler 300, introduced initially in 2005, drew comparisons to the Bentley for its round headlights, bold grille, blunt nose, and regal stance, reminiscent of the Bentley Arnage. Replacing the cab-forward styling of the 300M, the more substantial 300 instantly gained credibility with its stately proportions.

Even after significant reworks in 2011 and updates over the years, the 300 retained its classic style, available in trims featuring blacked-out appearances with large 20-inch wheels. For its final production year, the 300 was available in Touring, Touring L, 300S, and 300C trims, the latter limited to 2,000 units with significant performance enhancements and distinctive styling elements, including carbon-fiber trim and premium Laguna leather upholstery.

However, the Chrysler 300's interior quality did not always match the exterior's luxury promise. The 300C, boasting carbon-fiber trim and premium leather, still showed its age with hard plastics and outdated touches.

Every 2022 Acura TLX version promised an exhilarating drive. Honda's expertise translated to the TLX’s 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine, which delivered smooth, powerful performance with 272 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The SH-AWD system, though an additional $2,000, was worth the investment, providing superior handling by varying torque at either rear wheel preemptively.

The Type S version, with a 3.0-liter turbo V6 generating 355 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque at just 1,400 rpm, truly shined on tracks like Palmer Motorsports Park. The double-wishbone front suspension and adaptive dampers facilitated exceptional handling, contributing to a balanced, predictable ride. However, while the Type S's active exhaust system offered a deep start-up bark, it remained subdued overall for some enthusiasts’ tastes.

The regular TLX provided a softer ride but still performed admirably, with electronically actuated brakes derived from the NSX. The downside was the summer P Zero tires' highway noise, although all-season tires were standard.

Fuel economy for the Type S stood at 19 mpg city, 24 highway, and 21 combined, while the regular TLX with SH-AWD rated at 21/29/24.

In the 2023 Chrysler 300C, performance was paramount, harkening back to the defunct 300 SRT with a 6.4-liter Hemi V8. The revived 300C’s V8 delivered 485 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission, with a 4.3-second 0-60 mph sprint and a top speed of 160 mph. Equipped with adaptive damping suspension, Brembo brakes, and performance tires on lightweight forged aluminum wheels, the 300C's driving modes modified responsiveness, steering, suspension firmness, and exhaust sound.

The 300C's V8 was loud, commanding attention, but required careful throttle moderation to avoid tire chirps and slippage. Its Sport mode transformed the car’s character, providing thrilling dynamics on curvy roads but requiring a quick switch back to Auto mode to avoid overwhelming stability control systems.

Fuel economy was a clear trade-off for power, with the 300C rated at 18 mpg combined, averaging around 17.5 mpg in real-world driving—a figure on par with full-size pickup trucks.

Despite its large exterior, the 2022 Acura TLX felt cramped inside, especially in the rear seats, which offered decent headroom but limited legroom due to a relatively short wheelbase. The front seats, particularly in the Type S trim with thigh extensions and adjustable side bolsters, were comfortable and supportive. The trunk space was mediocre at 13.5 cubic feet—less than a Honda Civic—indicating that more emphasis had been placed on styling and suspension design than interior utility.

Acura's infotainment touchpad required adaptation. Unlike a traditional touchscreen, it demanded precise and sustained touches, a learning curve that was initially steep. The non-intuitive pushbutton gear selector also demanded muscle memory development. On the plus side, Acura's climate control was straightforward, and despite the quirks, the infotainment system didn’t have excessive settings.

The 2023 Chrysler 300, technically a full-size car, was spacious up front but less so in the back. The front seats were luxurious with premium Laguna leather, heating, and ventilation, while the hard plastic front seatbacks compromised rear legroom, and the rear backrest angle promoted an uncomfortable slouch. Despite constraints, the 300 provided rear passengers with air conditioning vents, heated outboard cushions, and charging ports.

Storage solutions were not updated for modern needs, lacking designated smartphone slots or wireless charging trays. However, it offered heated and cooled front cupholders, a standout feature for some.

With a cargo capacity of 16.3 cubic feet, the Chrysler 300's trunk space was more generous than the TLX's, featuring enclosed lid hinges to prevent crushing items when closing.

The 2022 Acura TLX featured a quick and straightforward infotainment interface, but its small typeface was challenging to read. The central display and head-up display were helpful, though more accessible on the Advance Package, which excluded the Type S. The lacking 360-degree cameras, heated rear seats, and steering wheel in the Type S were disappointing given its top-tier position. However, the 17-speaker ELS Studio audio system, voice recognition, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and 12-way heated front seats were commendable inclusions.

The Technology Package offered advanced features like climate control linked to navigation and automatic adjustment based on sun position. Standard "Jewel Eye" LED headlights, chicane running lights, a garage door opener, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror were bonuses. AcuraWatch, a standard suite of driver assistance features, provided semi-automated driving capabilities on marked highways.

Conversely, the 2023 Chrysler 300’s Uconnect system felt outdated. The 8.4-inch touchscreen, while user-friendly, required USB ports for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The 300C included SiriusXM, Guardian connected services, and an SRT Dashboard for performance settings.

The stereo system, equipped with 19 speakers from Harman Kardon, and separate dual-zone climate controls were practical. However, the infotainment's dated graphics and the reliance on touchscreen menus for certain controls detracted from the experience. The speed warning was a useful feature, though difficult to hear over the car's ambient noise.

Unfortunately, the Chrysler 300 lacked necessary modern features, such as a surround-view camera or high-resolution reversing camera, essential given its limited outward visibility.

The 2022 Acura TLX garnered top marks, rated a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS and earning a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, although it received four stars in the frontal passenger-side test. Standard safety features included knee airbags, a specialized passenger airbag, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, auto high beams, and traffic-sign recognition. The Technology Package added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors.

The 2023 Chrysler 300 was less advanced in safety technology. Most features were only available through the optional Safety Tec Plus Group, with essentials like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control.

The adaptive cruise control's limitations and the 300's mixed performance in crash-test ratings highlighted its age. The NHTSA rated it adequately, but the IIHS’s tougher tests revealed significant shortcomings, particularly in the moderate-overlap frontal-impact test, where it only received a Marginal rating. Headlight performance was also rated Poor by the IIHS.