2021 Toyota Camry vs 2021 Chrysler 300

The 2021 Toyota Camry sought to break away from its mundane past by embracing a more exciting design language. Designers added multiple styling details to make the vehicle look sportier and more dynamic. The car's effective styling elements included flared wheel arches and thin headlights and taillights, which gave the car a wider appearance. However, SE, XSE, and TRD trim levels were adorned with fake vents, creating visual clutter. The LE and XLE trims boasted a somewhat cleaner but still massive grille. Underneath, the Camry sat on the TNGA-K platform, also used in the Avalon sedan and RAV4 SUV.

For 2021, the model received subtle front-fascia updates across most trim levels, while the TRD performance model featured a larger rear spoiler and unique styling cues. The Nightshade Edition, based on the SE trim, sported blacked-out exterior trim and wheels. Wheel options ranged from standard 17-inch alloys on the base LE to available 18-inch and 19-inch wheels on higher trims.

Inside, the Camry's interior appeared as chaotic as its exterior. Our SE Nightshade Edition test model's dashboard seemed cobbled together from different vehicles, incorporating a mix of contrast stitching, piano black plastic, and faux carbon fiber. XLE and XSE models offered leather upholstery. Overall, the materials used in the Camry's cabin felt low quality.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 retained much of its original design since the major facelift in 2014. Its "three-box design" created a classic and straightforward profile, embodying a nostalgic charm without falling into the retrofuturist trap. From the base trim to the high-end 300S, the vehicle exuded pride in its traditional design.

The grille and headlights had evolved over the years. The 2021 model came with bi-xenon halogen projector lamps and LED driving lamps on lower trims, while the Comfort Group on higher trims added adaptive HID lamps. Depending on the package and trim, the grille could be black or chrome, maintaining a tough, no-nonsense look.

Wheel options included 17-inch silver alloys on the base 300 Touring trim and 18-inch polished alloys on the 300 Touring L, with 19-inch and 20-inch options on upper trims, including the 20-inch Black Noise wheels standard on the 300S.

Inside, the 300 offered a high level of interior quality. The base Touring trim featured cloth upholstery with an eight-way power driver’s seat while higher trims like the 300 Touring L and 300S came with standard Nappa leather upholstery and added luxury touches like perforated inserts and accent stitching. Heated front seats were standard on the top trims, with heated rear seats available.

The 2021 Toyota Camry offered multiple powertrain options. The base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, named "Dynamic Force," delivered 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque with FWD, and 202 hp and 182 lb-ft with AWD. The XSE trim’s dual-exhaust system increased output to 206 hp and 186 lb-ft (FWD) and 205 hp and 185 lb-ft (AWD). Both FWD and AWD versions came with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Toyota also offered a naturally-aspirated 3.5-liter V6, producing 301 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque, paired with the same eight-speed automatic as the four-cylinder. The 2021 Camry Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with electric assist, delivering a total system output of 208 hp, only available with FWD.

Our SE Nightshade Edition tester featured the base four-cylinder with AWD, surprising us with its performance. The Dynamic Force engine was eager to rev, providing ample grunt and a pleasing sound. The chassis struck a balance between handling and ride quality, making the Camry enjoyable in corners without a harsh ride. Though not as sharp as the Honda Accord or Mazda 6, it offered a rewarding experience for driving enthusiasts.

Toyota even brought back AWD in 2020, derived from the RAV4 AWD system, capable of sending up to 50% of torque to the rear wheels. The setup did not impact passenger or cargo space.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 offered a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine, providing 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 had an optional 5.7-liter V8, delivering 363 hp and 394 lb-ft of torque. Both engines came with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with paddle shifters on the 300S. RWD was standard, while AWD was a $2,750 option on some trims but unavailable on the 300S.

In the base trim with RWD and the V6, the 300 felt like an upgrade from rental cars, offering a quiet, capable, and comfortable ride. Higher trims, such as the AWD Touring L, provided a traditional luxury experience. The V8-powered 300S added excitement with its Hemi engine, making it enjoyable to drive, even if it didn’t match the higher-performance engines in the Dodge Charger.

The Camry's interior provided generous rear headroom and legroom compared to other midsize sedans, though front headroom and legroom were below average. However, the front seats were adjustable and supportive, and outward visibility was excellent. Cargo space was 15.1 cubic feet, average for the class but less than the Honda Accord's 16.7 cubic feet. In-cabin storage was limited, with small cupholders and door bottle holders.

Chrysler 300 excelled in interior space, offering generous front and rear legroom. With 41.8 inches in the front and 40.1 inches in the back, it outclassed the Lexus ES350 and competed with the Toyota Avalon and Volvo S90. The sedan provided 106.3 cubic feet of passenger volume, surpassing the Genesis G70 and Lexus ES350. Trunk volume was strong at 16.3 cubic feet, enough for four large suitcases, making it more practical than the Camry for cargo.

The Camry's standard infotainment system included a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, Amazon Alexa compatibility, Bluetooth, Siri Eyes Free voice control, and SiriusXM satellite radio (three-month free trial). Higher trims featured a 9-inch touchscreen, WiFi for five devices, navigation, and a nine-speaker JBL audio system. The XSE and XLE trims offered a 10-inch head-up display (HUD). Standard USB ports included a media port and two charge ports, plus a 12-volt outlet. Toyota’s user-friendly infotainment system had plain graphics but remained highly functional.

The Chrysler 300 retained its Uconnect 4C infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, praised for its intuitive layout and functionality. It included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. Across all trims, the 8.4-inch touchscreen was a welcome standard feature. The $3,495 Popular Equipment Group added premium audio with a 506-watt amp, nine Alpine speakers, GPS navigation, SiriusXM Traffic Plus (five-year subscription), surround sound, a trunk-mounted subwoofer, and a dual-pane sunroof, significantly upgrading the tech setup.

The 2021 Toyota Camry earned top safety ratings, achieving a “Top Safety Pick+” from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, with five-star scores in front, side, and rollover crash tests. The new TSS 2.5+ safety package was standard, offering adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning (with pedestrian detection), lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, traffic-sign recognition, and enhanced capabilities. Features included a rear seat reminder and available blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

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 rated it four stars overall, with four-star driver, passenger, and rollover ratings, but five stars in combined side barrier and side pole crash tests. Standard safety features included active head restraints, multiple airbags, traction control, stability control with brake assist, rain brake support, ready alert braking, and hill start assist. Advanced safety features were only available on higher trims through packages, making the 300 less competitive in terms of standard safety equipment.