Chrysler 300 vs Toyota Camry Hybrid

The 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid had an established look after six years on the market with its eighth-generation styling. For the 2023 model, the standout features included the new Reservoir Blue paint and the Nightshade Edition with its matte-bronze 19-inch wheels, which added a touch of flair to its otherwise familiar appearance. This specific edition was available only with the SE trim and could be ordered as either a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder or a hybrid, along with the choice of either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) for non-hybrids. Externally, it sported black-trimmed headlights and taillights, a TRD mesh grille, black side mirror caps, a black rear spoiler, and black badges. Other color options included Ice Cap and Midnight Black, both giving the car a sleek, modern look.

Opening the Camry Hybrid's driver’s door revealed an interior that hadn’t seen significant changes for over half a decade. Despite Toyota's claims of “impeccable fit and finish,” the materials felt on the cheaper side, accentuated by rattling license plates and tinny-sounding doors. The interior allowed significant road noise, contributing to an overall shoddy feel rather than a substantial presence.

The 2023 Chrysler 300, originally introduced in 2005 and reworked in 2011, continued to stand the test of time with styling that aged well. Its look was reminiscent of a Bentley, which lent it an aura of luxury. The 2023 model offered various trims, including Touring, Touring L, 300S, and 300C, each available with blackout appearance packages and 20-inch wheels wrapped in performance tires. The most exclusive 300C trim level featured a sportier edition available with a powerful V8 engine.

While the 300 still looked impressive from the outside, its interior did not match the luxury promised by its exterior styling. The 300C trim level offered premium features like carbon-fiber trim and Laguna leather upholstery. However, the remaining interior components felt their age and price tag.

The 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid offered three powertrains, but the most popular choice was a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine making between 202 and 206 horsepower, depending on the trim level and drivetrain. A more powerful 301-hp 3.5-liter V6 was also available but only with FWD in the XLE, XSE, and TRD trims.

The hybrid version used a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack placed under the rear seat. This provided a combined output of 208 horsepower, simulating a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that sent power to the front wheels. Toyota’s programmed ratios made the hybrid system feel like a traditional automatic transmission. Additionally, the hybrid SE and XSE trims had paddle shifters, and drivers could choose from Normal, Eco, EV, and Sport driving modes.

In terms of fuel economy, the Camry Hybrid was rated at 46 mpg in combined driving by the EPA. However, actual performance fell short, averaging only 33.4 mpg during tests. Despite the shortfall, the car managed well in terms of acceleration and braking, offering good grip and predictable handling, although the stability control system could be a bit sensitive.

The 2023 Chrysler 300C was all about power and performance, thanks to its 485-horsepower 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup enabled a 4.3-second run to 60 mph and a top speed of 160 mph. The car also featured an adaptive damping suspension, Brembo brakes, and performance tires that significantly improved its driving dynamics.

Various driving modes like Auto, Sport, and Track adjusted drivetrain responses, steering effort, suspension firmness, and exhaust sound. Although fun to drive, the 300C emitted considerable cabin noise from its loud exhaust system. Fuel economy was predictably poor, with a combined rating of 18 mpg and an actual average of 17.5 mpg during tests.

The 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid was known for its simplicity and ease of use. Its dual-zone automatic climate control system and optional heated and ventilated front seats made for a comfortable ride. The driver's seat featured eight-way power adjustment, while the passenger seat was manually adjustable but included a manual height adjuster. Even with its low seating position, the front seats were accessible and comfortable for long drives. However, the back seats were less spacious compared to competitors like the Honda Accord, contributing to a somewhat cramped experience for rear passengers. Additionally, the Camry’s trunk offered 15.1 cubic feet of cargo space, which was below class average but still allowed for full-size suitcases to be stored vertically.

The 2023 Chrysler 300, categorized as a full-size car, felt spacious only in the front seats. Premium Laguna leather and extensive power adjustments characterized the front seating. However, the rear seats were less comfortable, mainly due to hard plastic front seatbacks and an awkwardly reclined seating position. Despite these shortcomings, the back seats had air conditioning vents, heated outboard cushions, and charging ports.

In terms of storage, the Chrysler 300 was also behind the times, lacking modern conveniences like smartphone trays or wireless charging options. The trunk space, however, was generous at 16.3 cubic feet, featuring enclosed hinges that prevented damage to personal items.

The 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid offered two touchscreen options: a 7-inch or a 9-inch display. Both came with smartphone connectivity, such as Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The larger 9-inch system included a more advanced connected navigation system and a 9-speaker JBL premium sound system. Additional tech features included Amazon Alexa compatibility, SiriusXM satellite radio, and various connected services like Safety Connect and Remote Connect.

The test car had the basic 7-inch touchscreen, which proved functional but less advanced. It had physical knobs and buttons for easier control but was less responsive to voice commands.

On the other hand, the 2023 Chrysler 300 came with the older Uconnect infotainment system featuring an 8.4-inch touchscreen. Although it provided the core functions like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM, its graphics were outdated, and it lacked a high-resolution display. The 300C model included a 19-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system that delivered excellent sound quality. The dual-zone automatic climate controls were intuitive, although settings for heated and ventilated seats were buried in the touchscreen menu.

Despite its age, the Uconnect system performed adequately, making up for its deficits with a speed warning feature and SRT Dashboard for driving modes and performance monitoring.

The 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid excelled in safety, featuring 10 airbags, a rear-seat reminder system, and Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS 2.5). This suite included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high-beam headlights. However, the TSS 2.5 wasn’t the most refined, as the adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems often proved too abrupt for comfort.

The Camry Hybrid scored well in crash tests, earning five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). However, its performance in the updated side-impact crash test was poor.

In contrast, the 2023 Chrysler 300 lagged in advanced safety features, which were mostly optional except for the fully loaded 300C trim. Available features through the Safety Tec Plus Group included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. Unlike the Camry, the lane-keeping assist system was less intrusive, making it a more user-friendly option.

In crash tests, the Chrysler 300 did well enough in older NHTSA standards but scored poorly in IIHS evaluations, particularly in the moderate-overlap frontal-impact test and headlight performance.