Compare the2019 BMW 4 Series Gran CoupeVS 2019 Chrysler 300

The 4 Series Gran Coupe offers an optional Side and Top View Cameras to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The 300 only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the 4 Series Gran Coupe and the 300 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems and blind spot warning systems.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The 300’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year and 14,000 miles sooner.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s corrosion warranty is 7 years and unlimited miles longer than the 300’s (12/unlimited vs. 5/100,000).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 4 Series Gran Coupe for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Chrysler doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the 300.

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the engines in the 4 Series Gran Coupe have an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of the 5.7 V8 in the 300.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the 4 Series Gran Coupe has a 170-amp alternator. The 300’s standard 160-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 4 Series Gran Coupe first among compact premium cars in their 2018 Initial Quality Study. The 300 was rated third in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2018 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Chrysler vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 11th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 24 more problems per 100 vehicles, Chrysler is ranked 26th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2018 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Chrysler vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 8th in reliability, above the industry average. With 84 more problems per 100 vehicles, Chrysler is ranked 31st.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ April 2018 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Chrysler vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 12 places higher in reliability than Chrysler.

As tested in Car and Driver the 430i Gran Coupe is faster than the Chrysler 300 V6:

On the EPA test cycle the 4 Series Gran Coupe gets better fuel mileage than the 300:

Regenerative brakes improve the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The 300 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. (Start/Stop isn’t accounted in present EPA fuel mileage tests.) The 300 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certifies the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe as a “Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (SULEV). The Chrysler 300 is only certified to “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV) standards.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the 300 are solid, not vented.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe stops much shorter than the 300:

For better traction, the 4 Series Gran Coupe has larger standard tires than the 300 (225/45R18 vs. 215/65R17).

The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the 300 Touring’s standard 65 series tires. The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s optional 225/40R19 front and 255/35R19 rear tires have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile than the 300S/300C/Limited’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 4 Series Gran Coupe has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the 300 Touring.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The 300’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The 430i Gran Coupe handles at .89 G’s, while the 300 Limited pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the 300’s (37.1 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

The BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 450 pounds less than the Chrysler 300.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe is 1 foot, 3.9 inches shorter than the 300, making the 4 Series Gran Coupe easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe amounts to more than styling. The 4 Series Gran Coupe has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .29 Cd. That is lower than the 300 (.32) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the 4 Series Gran Coupe get better fuel mileage.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the 430i Gran Coupe xDrive is quieter than the 300S:

The 4 Series Gran Coupe has 1.3 inches more front headroom and .4 inches more front legroom than the 300.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe has a larger trunk with its rear seat up than the 300 (17 vs. 16.3 cubic feet).

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the 4 Series Gran Coupe’s power liftgate can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The 300 doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening trunk.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Chrysler. J.D. Power ranks BMW 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 69% lower rating, Chrysler is ranked 26th.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and other key instrumentation readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The 300 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The 300’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the 4 Series Gran Coupe the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the 300 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The 300’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The 4 Series Gran Coupe offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The 300 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe’s optional Parking Assistant can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The 300 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The BMW 4 Series comes in coupe, convertible and four door hatchback bodystyles; the Chrysler 300 isn’t available as a coupe or convertible.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the 4 Series Gran Coupe will retain 47.49% to 50.4% of its original price after five years, while the 300 only retains 40.97% to 42.9%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the 4 Series Gran Coupe is less expensive to operate than the 300 because typical repairs cost much less on the 4 Series Gran Coupe than the 300, including $862 less for a muffler, $7 less for fuel injection, $488 less for front struts and $95 less for a power steering pump.

The 4 Series was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” in 2014. The 300 hasn’t been picked since 2007.

The 4 Series was chosen as one of Automobile Magazine’s “All Stars” in 2014. The 300 hasn’t been picked since 2007.