2022 Lexus ES vs 2023 Chrysler 300

The 2022 Lexus ES had a long history with Lexus, tracing back to its debut in 1990 with the ES 250. It evolved over seven generations, maintaining a steady presence in the market despite a decline in sales since its peak in 2007. The car primarily appealed to an older demographic, positioning Lexus in a challenging balancing act of retaining loyal customers while aiming to attract younger ones. This generational divide sometimes led to conservative design choices.

Moving to the Global Architecture-K (GA-K) platform in 2018, the ES shared its foundation with models like the Lexus RX, Toyota Camry, and Toyota Avalon. It featured a front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout, with an optional upgrade to all-wheel drive. This platform catered to multiple engine choices. The ES presented an attractive yet not striking look, showcasing elegant proportions and a sleek, almost fastback roofline. The prominent spindle grille and assertive headlamp shapes added character, while wheel options ranged from standard 17-inch to the cartoonishly large 19-inch variants.

Inside, the Lexus ES combined a mix of high-quality craftsmanship with some odd features. The asymmetrical dashboard gave the driver’s side a cockpit feel, albeit a jumbled one. The meticulously assembled dashboard, bold two-tone leather seating in the F Sport model, and an inset analog chronometer added both sporty and dated elements to the interior.

Meanwhile, the 2023 Chrysler 300 harked back to its 2005 roots, often compared to a Bentley in its early days due to its round headlights, bold grille, and stately proportions. The resemblance provided a significant boost over its predecessor, the 300M, marking a stark stylistic improvement that added instant credibility.

Undergoing substantial reworking in 2011 with continuous updates, the 300 retained its timeless charm and still looked good, especially with the blacked-out appearance and large 20-inch wheels available on all trim levels. The 2023 model offered the Touring, Touring L, 300S, and 300C trims, with the latter limited to 2,000 examples featuring a powerful V8 engine.

Despite its aging platform, the exterior styling of the Chrysler 300 held up remarkably well, giving off a strong presence that some considered a bargain given the starting prices ranging from $35,515 to $56,595 for the fully loaded 300C.

The 2022 Lexus ES offered three distinct models, each differentiated by their powertrains. The base ES 250 AWD featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, delivering 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The EPA ratings for this model stood at 25 mpg city/34 mpg highway/28 mpg combined. Acceleration from 0-60 mph took 8.6 seconds, with a top speed limited to 131 mph.

The ES 350 came with a more robust 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 307 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. This FWD model achieved 22 mpg city/32 mpg highway/26 mpg combined, with a 0-60 mph time of 6.6 seconds. The F Sport trim slightly reduced fuel efficiency to 25 mpg combined.

The hybrid ES 300h combined a 176-hp four-cylinder engine with a 39-hp electric motor, totaling 215 hp. Its peak prowess lay in fuel economy, boasting 43 mpg city/44 mpg highway/44 mpg combined. It reached 0-60 mph in 8.1 seconds, with a top speed of 112 mph. During evaluations, it was discovered that the ES 250 AWD, with its less powerful engine, was particularly loud under strain, affecting the overall luxury experience.

In contrast, the 2023 Chrysler 300C offered power in spades. Equipped with a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 engine, it resurrected elements of the old 300 SRT with its 485 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque. With this powertrain, it reached 0-60 mph in a brisk 4.3 seconds and topped out at 160 mph. The adaptive damping suspension, performance-oriented Brembo brakes, and lightweight forged aluminum wheels contributed to its lively performance.

Driving the 300C elicited a sense of retro fun, reminiscent of a 90s-era Mercedes-Benz AMG model, with driving dynamics that provided a mix of nostalgia and robust performance. However, its thirst for fuel was evident with an official EPA rating of 18 mpg combined, and real-world testing confirmed this with an average of 17.5 mpg.

Sedans like the 2022 Lexus ES continued to appeal to buyers despite the trend toward SUVs. The ES offered a practical 13.9 cubic feet of trunk space, unaffected in the hybrid ES 300h. The pass-through behind the rear armrest allowed for additional cargo flexibility, and the fold-flat second row in the ES 250 and ES 350 provided even more storage options.

With its lower center of gravity compared to its SUV counterpart, the Lexus RX, the ES boasted better handling, quicker acceleration, and superior fuel economy. Convenient in tight spots, the ES's design included ample interior convenience features, such as big bottle pockets, a spacious center console bin, and a substantial glove compartment.

In contrast, the Chrysler 300C imposed a more full-size experience, though it primarily benefited front-seat occupants. The front seats offered good adjustments, premium Laguna leather, and heating/ventilation, contradicting their stiff appearance. The rear seats, however, suffered from hard plastic front seatbacks and a slouch-inducing backrest angle, offering less legroom and comfort.

Storage space was another sticking point. The 300C's design did not incorporate modern conveniences like smartphone holders or wireless charging. The trunk, however, offered generous 16.3 cubic feet of space with well-enclosed hinges to protect belongings, slightly outperforming the Lexus ES's storage capacity.

The 2022 Lexus ES featured a contemporary suite of infotainment options. The base model came with an 8-inch touchscreen supporting Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa, along with a 10-speaker Pioneer audio system, HD radio, and SiriusXM with a three-month trial. Upper trims upgraded to a 12.3-inch touchscreen, a 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, and navigation. A touchpad interface controlled the infotainment system, which, though better than previous iterations, still proved challenging on rough roads.

An optional 10-inch head-up display enhanced driving safety by reducing distraction. Available advanced parking aids like the Panoramic View Monitor with Intuitive Parking Assist and auto braking made parking easier, particularly in higher trims. Lexus Enform connected services added another layer of convenience with features like Safety Connect, Service Connect, Remote, and Wi-Fi trials.

The 2023 Chrysler 300C, meanwhile, lagged with its older Uconnect infotainment system. The 8.4-inch touchscreen required USB data ports for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, came with SiriusXM, Guardian connected services, and navigation. Despite the outdated graphics, the system was user-friendly and incorporated an SRT Dashboard for performance settings.

Physical controls for the stereo and climate were appreciated, though seat heating and ventilation required touchscreen menus. The system allowed for speed warnings, which were beneficial given the car's performance, though the lack of a surround-view camera or high-resolution reversing camera was a drawback.

The 2022 Lexus ES garnered top safety accolades, with the IIHS awarding it as a Top Safety Pick+ and the NHTSA granting it a five-star rating. Its comprehensive Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 included features like pre-collision detection with pedestrian and cyclist support, lane-departure warning, lane-tracing assist, adaptive cruise control, and Intelligent High Beam Control. Standard features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and ten airbags, providing robust safety coverage.

Conversely, the 2023 Chrysler 300C fell short in advanced safety tech. Most features were optional, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and more. The adaptive cruise control lacked sophistication, braking excessively when vehicles cut in and unable to resume speed autonomously.

The 300's crash-test ratings were less impressive. While the NHTSA ratings remained decent, the old design meant it performed poorly in newer IIHS tests, garnering only a Marginal rating in moderate-overlap frontal-impact assessments and Poor headlight performance.