2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs 2021 Chrysler 300

The 2021 Chrysler 300 retained much of its classic design, reminiscent of its 2014 facelift. Its "three-box design" gave it a straightforward, timeless profile. The car's appearance, from the base 300 trim to the high-end 300S, was something owners could be proud of, with bi-xenon halogen projector lamps and LED driving lamps on lower trims, and adaptive HID lamps on higher trims. The grille options, either black or chrome, added to its tough, no-nonsense look. Wheel options ranged from 17-inch silver alloys to 20-inch Black Noise wheels, depending on the trim and package.

Inside, the Chrysler 300 offered a luxurious feel with cloth upholstery on the base model and Nappa leather on higher trims. The 300S featured perforated inserts and accent stitching, with heated front seats standard on the top trims and optional heated rear seats. The interior quality was comparable to cars with much higher price tags, making it a strong contender in its class.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, while not drastically different in exterior styling from its predecessor, boasted a drag coefficient of 0.22, making it more aerodynamic than a Toyota Prius. The new model was slightly larger in all dimensions, with a classic Mercedes grille and hood ornament adding a touch of luxury. Standard 19-inch wheels could be upgraded to 20-inch or 21-inch options, with the 20-inch wheels from the AMG Line package providing a balanced look.

Inside, the S-Class was designed around its infotainment touchscreen and digital instrument cluster, creating a minimalist yet luxurious cabin. The ambient lighting system, with 250 LED elements and 64 color options, added a futuristic touch. High-quality materials like Nappa leather, open-pore wood trim, and aluminum inlays were standard, though the piano-black trim was prone to smudges. The two-panel glass roof provided ample light for both front and rear passengers.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 was not built for speed, but its 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine delivered a respectable 292 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque in the 300 Touring and 300 Touring L, and 300 hp and 264 lb-ft in the 300S. The 300S also offered a 5.7-liter V8 with 363 hp and 394 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with paddle shifters on the 300S. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available for an additional $2,750, though not on the 300S.

The base model, with RWD and the V6, provided a quiet and comfortable ride, ideal for traditional luxury. The AWD Touring L offered a more refined driving experience, while the V8-powered 300S added a fun, powerful element, though not as aggressive as its Dodge Charger sibling.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S500 4Matic featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine, producing 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque. The S580 4Matic came with a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, delivering 496 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. Both models used a nine-speed automatic transmission and included EQ Boost, a mild-hybrid system adding 21 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque for short bursts.

Mercedes quoted 0-60 mph times of 4.8 seconds for the S500 and 4.4 seconds for the S580, with electronically limited top speeds of 130 mph. The S-Class featured standard air suspension and an optional E-Active Body Control suspension system, along with rear-wheel steering for improved maneuverability. The S580 provided a fast and comfortable ride, with precise steering and minimal body roll in Sport and Sport+ modes.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 offered generous interior space, with 41.8 inches of front legroom and 40.1 inches in the rear, surpassing competitors like the Lexus ES350. With 106.3 cubic feet of passenger volume, it felt spacious compared to the Genesis G70 and Lexus ES350. The trunk provided 16.3 cubic feet of cargo space, enough for four large suitcases.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class improved on its predecessor with more front and rear headroom and rear legroom. It had the most front headroom in its class but the least front legroom. Shoulder room was segment-leading, enhancing the sense of spaciousness. Cargo space increased to 12.9 cubic feet, though still less than other luxury sedans. Optional power-adjustable rear seats could reduce trunk space.

The S-Class featured power-adjustable front seats with 19 motors, heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The center console offered ample storage, and rear-seat passengers enjoyed a large console/armrest with cupholders and climate controls. The optional Executive Line package added power-adjustable rear seats and four-zone climate control, making it ideal for chauffeur service.

The 2021 Chrysler 300's instrument panel and center stack remained largely unchanged, featuring the intuitive Uconnect 4C infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen. Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with steering wheel-mounted controls, made it user-friendly. The $3,495 Popular Equipment Group added a 506-watt amp, nine premium Alpine speakers, GPS navigation, SiriusXM Traffic Plus, surround sound, a trunk-mounted subwoofer, and a dual-pane sunroof.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class came with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.8-inch OLED central touchscreen, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and six USB ports. A 30-speaker Burmester audio system and rear-seat infotainment with 11.6-inch touchscreens and a 7-inch tablet were available. The updated MBUX system, with 50% more computing power, relied heavily on the touchscreen but retained hard buttons for essential functions. The augmented-reality head-up display projected navigation arrows, though it could be distracting.

The S-Class also featured personal profiles accessible via biometric or facial recognition, and rear-seat occupants could send navigation directions to the main screen. However, the digital instrument cluster's touchpads were small and difficult to use, and the ambient lighting's reactive features felt gimmicky.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 received top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests, except for "Marginal" in small overlap tests and "Poor" for headlights. NHTSA awarded it a four-star overall rating, with five stars for combined side barrier and side pole crash tests. Standard safety features included active head restraints, multiple airbags, traction and stability control, and hill start assist. Advanced safety features were available on higher trims and packages, such as blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class had not been rated by NHTSA or IIHS. It included numerous safety features, such as an industry-first rear-passenger airbag, adaptive cruise control, automated lane centering, automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, lane-change assist, traffic-sign recognition, a driver-attention monitor, and a 360-degree camera system. Mercedes claimed improvements in these features, with better performance in adaptive cruise control and lane-centering.