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Chrysler 300C vs. Acura TL

Comparative Review

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The 2009 Chrysler 300C

The Chrysler 300C offers a style for those looking for a bold look.  The ride is smooth and the cabin was redesigned in 2008 to be even quieter.  The 300C comes with a Hemi V8 and beats expensive luxury cars in performance and value.  The brakes are excellent and, despite being a heavy and large car, it is a solid vehicle that handles well.  The interior space is enormous. This is due to a very efficient overall shape.  The wheels are pushed to the corners, and the long wheelbase leaves 106.6 cubic feet inside.  Climbing in and out of the 300C is easy due to the oversized doors.  A high seating position is found in the car, Chrysler was one of the first to use this new style, and the seat goes several inches higher than normal sedan seats.  The pedals are adjustable, to go along with the telescoping steering wheel. 

The exterior of the Chrysler 300C has dramatic angles; its rear-wheel-drive layout allows a distinctive shape.  The wheel wall cuts out space, and wraps around the rims, which go up to twenty inches.  It is a long wheel base and there are short overhangs.  All in all it is a very powerful look. 

There are expansive safety features on the 300C.  This includes multi stage front airbags, electronic Stability Program (ESP), Traction Control System (TCS) and anti-lock brakes (ABS) with Brake Assist. Safety options include curtain-style head protection airbags for outboard passengers and torso-protecting front side-impact airbags, rear obstacle detection, high-intensity discharge headlamps, a tire-pressure monitor, and all-wheel drive. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the Chrysler 300C a five-star rating for front-impact crash protection. 

There are many different packages available.  The most popular one is the Protection Group II, which includes curtain-style head-protection airbags, torso-protecting front side airbags, rear park assist, self-sealing tires and cabin air filtration.  Some of the luxury options include rear-seat DVD entertainment with a seven-inch LCD screen, a sunroof, UConnect hands-free communication with iPod interface, and a Boston Acoustics audio upgrade with six-CD changer, subwoofer and 368 watts of output.  The Chrysler 300C has an MSRP of $26,665 to $36,775.  The vehicle has a fuel economy rating of 26 mpg on the highway, and 18 mpg in the city.  The basic warranty is 36 months/36,000 miles.

The 2009 Acura TL

The Acura TL is a sedan that offers, not only luxury, but a modern and efficient vehicle.   Two four door models are available.  Different configurations include front-wheel and all-wheel drive.  Both versions feature a V-6 engine and a five-speed automatic transmission.   Acura's exclusive Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (TL SH-AWD) system enhances grip, stability and all-weather control. Also, a new electric power assist steering system on both models provides direct feedback. The TL got a total redesign for 2009.  It became more refined, on the exterior and interior, and it received additional safety features. The interior is simple and spacious.  Leather upholstery comes standard, as does an eight-way, power-adjustable seat for the driver, a four-way power-adjustable seat for the front-seat passenger, dual-zone air-conditioning, power door locks, and a power moon roof. 

The audio system includes a  225-watt, eight-speaker sound system with a six-disc CD, a cassette tape player, XM satellite-ready AM/FM radio, MP3-compatible playback, Dolby Pro Logic II, and automatic, speed-sensitive volume control. A Bluetooth hands free wireless system is built into the car. The TL SH-AWD is further distinguished by exclusive 18-inch alloy wheels, bumper-integrated front brake cooling ducts and quad tailpipes.  A navigation system is optional; it is bundled with 3D Solar Sensing Climate Control, a unique feature of the ventilation system that correlates the position of the sun with the car's direction of travel in order to automatically balance temperature control on either side of the car. 

The safety features that are included on the Acura TL include dual front airbags, front-seat side-impact airbags (for torso protection), and curtain-type head-protection airbags. State of the art electronic sensors help modulate airbag deployment depending on the weight and position of the front-seat passengers. Electronic stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, and a monitoring system for tire pressure are all standard.  The exterior of the TL is surprisingly aerodynamic.  Its trade mark look is a beveled front fascia matched with a wide, impressive stance.   The Acura TL has an MSRP of $34,955 to $38,505.  Its fuel economy range is estimated at 26 mpg on the highway and 18 mpg in the city. The TL requires premium unleaded fuel, and comes with a 48 months/50,000 miles warranty.

The Chrysler 300 and Acura TL models are both comfortable, spacious vehicles. Although the Chrysler 300C is larger and heavier, it gets the same gas mileage as the TL, and it is extremely responsive for such a large car. With its V8, the 300C's superb acceleration, and the long-wheelbase models offer extra space that may be appealing to families or for chauffer driven executive purposes. For more pictures and specifications of the 300c read here. The Accura TL is unique from the typical heavy rear wheel drive sedans.  It is light weight and front wheel driven; with a V6 engine it is responsive and agile.  The TL is more expensive than the 300C, and although the fuel economy is the same, the Acura TL requires premium unleaded, while the 300C is happy with regular unleaded.   Read a Motortrend review of the Acura TL for more information.  The Acura, with Honda based engineering, and the Chrysler 300C are both sophisticated near luxury vehicles that are laced with many amenities, and have many more as optional.