Hyundai Sonata vs Chrysler 300

In its early years, the Hyundai Sonata was perceived as a mimic of the Honda Accord, right down to the similar "H" badge on the hood and trunk. This imitation bore the stigma of a lack of originality and less-than-stellar quality. However, Hyundai gradually refined the Sonata, giving it more flair and personality with each generation. By the time of the seventh-generation redesign in 2020, the 2022 Sonata had adopted a wide grille, rounded front fascia, and a sloped rear roofline, presenting a distinctive though polarizing look. Inside, the 2022 Sonata's cabin was spacious and functional, accommodating five passengers comfortably. Materials were average for its segment. The Limited trim had leather seats, though the color choices were debatable. The sportier N Line variant included unique design elements such as red stitching, a body kit, sport seats, and additional N branding.

Meanwhile, the Chrysler 300 debuted in 2005 with design elements that drew comparisons to the Bentley Arnage. Despite updates over the years, including a substantial rework in 2011, the 300 retained its bold and stately character. The 2023 model continued to look good despite its age, exhibiting a blacked-out appearance with large 20-inch wheels. It was available in multiple trims: Touring, Touring L, 300S, and the limited-run 300C. The 300C's cabin featured premium materials like Laguna leather and carbon-fiber trim, but it still didn't quite achieve the luxury implied by the exterior. For instance, while front seats were comfortable, the rear seats had issues with legroom and backrest angles. Additionally, the storage and technological relevance felt somewhat outdated compared to more modern rivals.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata offered a range of performance characteristics. The base SE and SEL models came with a direct-injected 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. SEL Plus and Limited trims contained a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. The standout performer was the N Line, featuring a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine generating 290 horsepower. The N Line also had an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, sport suspension, and tuned exhaust. All Sonatas were front-wheel drive, lacking the option for all-wheel drive.

Conversely, the 2023 Chrysler 300C reminded many of the defunct 300 SRT with its 6.4-liter Hemi V8, producing 485 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque. This engine allowed it to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, with a top speed of 160 mph. The 300C featured an adaptive damping suspension, Brembo brakes, and performance tires on lightweight forged wheels. Driving modes included Auto, Sport, Track, and Custom, each adjusting various performance settings. However, the heavy foot on the accelerator often resulted in chirping tires and an occasionally squirrely sensation when traction was lacking. While driving the 300C was thrilling, it was noisy, and fuel economy was a significant downside with a combined rating of 18 mpg.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata provided 104.4 cubic feet of passenger space, earning it a "Large Car" classification from the EPA. This classification placed it among the most spacious in its segment. While front-seat headroom and legroom were top-tier, rear-seat space was adequate but not exceptional. The 16-cubic-foot trunk was generous, contributing to the Sonata’s overall spaciousness. Additionally, features like Remote Smart Parking Assist added convenience, even if they were more novelty than necessity.

The Chrysler 300, being a full-size car, was roomier at the front but less so at the back. The 2023 300C offered adjustable, leather-clad front seats with heating and ventilation. Rear-seat comfort was compromised due to hard plastic front seatbacks and less-than-ideal legroom, though amenities like air conditioning vents, heated seats, and charging ports were present. Trunk capacity was slightly smaller than the Sonata's at 16.3 cubic feet, and while front storage features included heated and cooled cupholders, the overall storage offering felt outdated.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata's technology offerings varied by trim. The base SE had an 8-inch touchscreen, six speakers, HD Radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a USB port, a 12-volt outlet, and a rearview camera. Higher trims, like the SEL Plus and Limited, enjoyed a 10.25-inch touchscreen, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, wireless device charging, and advanced voice recognition. These trims also came with Hyundai Blue Link connected services and SiriusXM satellite radio. Testing revealed the system was user-friendly, particularly excelling in audio performance.

On the other hand, the 2023 Chrysler 300 featured the older Uconnect infotainment system. The 8.4-inch touchscreen, while functional, showed its age. It supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto via USB, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Guardian connected services, with an optional 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. Despite dated graphics, the system performed the basics well. A notable feature was the SRT Dashboard, allowing drivers to adjust driving modes and monitor vehicle performance. However, the lack of modern amenities like a surround-view camera system was a disadvantage.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata came equipped with extensive safety features, even on the base model. Standard features included automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, driver-attention warning, and a Rear Occupant Alert system. Higher trims added blind-spot collision-avoidance, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot view monitor, and surround-view camera. NHTSA awarded the Sonata a five-star rating for overall crash protection, while the 2021 model—a close relative—received high marks from IIHS, though headlight performance varied by trim.

Conversely, the Chrysler 300 lagged behind in safety technology. The more advanced features were optional unless purchasing the fully loaded 300C, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The adaptive cruise control lacked the ability to resume speed after stopping. The Chrysler 300 had mixed safety ratings, with an older design reflecting in NHTSA and IIHS tests. It broadly scored well enough but was outshined by more modern standards, especially in small-overlap frontal-impact tests.