2023 Chrysler 300 vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class appeared nearly identical to its 2021 predecessor—a display of sheer elegance. After a comprehensive makeover the previous year, the S-Class did not disappoint. The sedan world might have been overshadowed by the rise of SUVs, but the S-Class stood as a testament to the enduring sophistication of luxury sedans.

With deep roots dating back to the 1954 Ponton 220S and 220SE models, the S-Class established itself as Mercedes-Benz's flagship sedan starting with the W116 model series in 1972. The seventh generation, known as the W223, continued this legacy, although it, unlike previous models, didn’t include coupe or convertible variants. The S500 and S580 luxury sedans were the sole focus, with their cousin, the hyper-luxury Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, sharing many components.

The S-Class exterior screamed elegance. Its sleek, extended low profile completely erased any memories of the boxier predecessors. The significant distance between the front axle and the dashboard, a hallmark of elegant car design, provided a sense of refined grandeur. Despite this, the S-Class could almost sneak into an Audi lineup if not for the unmistakable Mercedes star hood ornament and grille.

Inside, luxury abounded. The dashboard, a symphony of open-pore wood trim cascading around a 12.8-inch touchscreen, set a high standard. The 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, distinct from the infotainment screen, provided a dual-plane visual experience uncommon in Mercedes-Benz's recent designs. The meticulous attention to detail and high-quality materials used throughout the cabin further emphasized its luxurious nature.

In contrast, Chrysler’s 2023 300 judiciously addressed evolving tastes while staying true to its roots. Born in 2005 and hailed as a distant cousin to the Bentley Arnage, the 300 retained its bold grille, round headlights, and reminiscently stately demeanor, continuing despite substantial reworks since 2011.

Even years later, the Chrysler 300 looked good—a testament to timeless design. Available in various trims such as Touring, Touring L, 300S, and 300C, the sedan offered blacked-out appearances and large 20-inch wheels. The special 300C, limited to 2,000 units, boasted a hefty V8 engine and RWD.

While the stylish exterior might have promised luxury, the interior didn’t fully deliver. The 300C sported carbon-fiber trim, premium Laguna leather, and cowhide appointments, but the remainder of the cabin revealed an aging design that somewhat fell short of its luxurious aspirations.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class provided a blending of business and pleasure unseen in many vehicles. Designed to be equally suitable for executive commuting or weekend driving, our S500 test vehicle featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six with EQ Boost. This mild-hybrid system supplemented the gasoline engine with up to 21 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, bringing the total up to 429 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque. The S580 upped the ante with a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8, also integrated with EQ Boost.

Both models managed their substantial weight—4,740 pounds for the S500 and 4,775 pounds for the S580—admirably. The S500 sprinted from 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, while the S580 shaved that down to 4.4 seconds. Coupled with a 9-speed automatic transmission and 4Matic all-wheel-drive system, they offered a smooth ride and agile handling despite their size, leaving room for enjoyable weekend escapades. Furthermore, the S-Class showcased respectable fuel economy figures: 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway/24 mpg combined for the S500 and 16 mpg city/25 mpg highway/19 mpg combined for the S580.

By comparison, the 2023 Chrysler 300C aimed straight for power enthusiasts. Reviving memories of the discontinued 300 SRT, the 300C harbored a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 generating 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque. An 8-speed automatic transmission with a Sport mode and paddle shifters facilitated acceleration, boasting a 0 to 60 mph time of 4.3 seconds and a top speed of 160 mph. Additionally, the 300C featured an adaptive damping suspension, hefty Brembo brakes, and performance tires on lightweight forged wheels.

However, all that performance came with trade-offs. The rear-wheel-drive layout, while thrilling, made the rear tires chirp and sometimes struggle for grip, especially in more aggressive driving modes such as Sport or Track. Despite the thrill, the cabin echoed with exhaust boom, reminding occupants of the powerful engine constantly. Additionally, at 18 mpg combined, fuel economy fell into full-size truck territory.

As an executive sedan, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class checked all the right boxes for space and comfort. The cabin offered a quiet, luxurious sanctuary, with powered sun blinds, a panorama sunroof, and active multicontour seats with massage features in the front. The rear included additional comforts in the form of heated seats, a 115-volt power supply, and a 13.8-cubic-foot trunk. Despite doors that sometimes swung out of reach due to their wide opening angle, convenient soft-close mechanisms ensured ease of use.

On the other hand, the 2023 Chrysler 300C’s interior failed to match its exterior’s promise. While the front seats, bolstered with premium Laguna leather and heating, provided a comfortable experience, the rear seats offered less legroom and a less favorable seating position due to the hard plastic front seatbacks and slanted rear backrest angle. Though features like heated and cooled front cupholders added a touch of convenience, the rear only had standard cupholders and limited storage. Cargo space in the 300C reached 16.3 cubic feet, slightly more than the S-Class, but lacked the luxury feel in its execution, such as an automatic trunk opening feature.

When it came to technology, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was leagues ahead. Its 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen provided unparalleled display quality, including the latest MBUX infotainment system with rich black levels and clear definition. The digital instrument panel offered customizable themes, and an optional 3D instrument cluster provided a depth-enhanced experience. The augmented video for navigation and the augmented reality head-up display added futuristic utility by overlaying contextual information onto real-world visuals.

The audio experience, courtesy of Burmester sound systems, was immersive, and features like EQ Boost and rear-axle steering illustrated the S-Class’s technological prowess by enhancing performance and maneuverability.

Conversely, the 2023 Chrysler 300 carried Chrysler’s older Uconnect infotainment system on an 8.4-inch touchscreen. While functional and straightforward, the system showed its age in graphics and usability. Voice recognition was acceptable but not groundbreaking, and the Harman Kardon audio system, though powerful, lacked the cutting-edge feel of the S-Class’s Burmester setup. The 300C did offer tech-oriented features like SRT Dashboard for performance tracking and driving modes but lacked a comprehensive suite of innovative technology akin to the S-Class.

Mercedes-Benz’s safety technology was impressive in the 2022 S-Class, offering an array of advanced driver assistance systems such as adaptive cruise control, active steering assist, and active brake assist with cross-traffic functions. Pre-Safe systems prepared the vehicle for imminent collisions by tightening seat belts and adjusting headrests proactively. Features unique to the S-Class included Magic Vision Control and car-to-x communication, alerting and preparing drivers for road conditions.

In contrast, the 2023 Chrysler 300 fell short with safety features that were mostly optional unless opting for the 300C. While it had basic features like forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control, the systems were not as refined or standard across the lineup. The adaptive cruise control’s lack of sophisticated response in stop-and-go traffic highlighted its limitations. Additionally, the 300’s crash-test ratings were outdated, not keeping up with newer tests from the IIHS, though it performed decently in older NHTSA evaluations.