Compare the2022 Chrysler 300VS 2021 Mercedes C-Class Sedan

The 300 has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the 300 and the C-Class Sedan have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, 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, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

The Chrysler 300 weighs 408 to 908 pounds more than the Mercedes C-Class Sedan. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Chrysler 300 is safer than the Mercedes C-Class Sedan:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the Chrysler 300 is safer than the Mercedes C-Class Sedan:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Chrysler’s powertrain warranty covers the 300 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Mercedes covers the C-Class Sedan. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the C-Class Sedan ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 6 times as many Chrysler dealers as there are Mercedes dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the 300’s warranty.

The battery on the 300 is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the 300’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The C-Class Sedan’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 300 second among large cars in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The C-Class Sedan isn’t in the top three in its category.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Chrysler vehicles are more reliable than Mercedes vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Chrysler 1 place higher in reliability than Mercedes.

The 300’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 37 more horsepower (292 vs. 255) than the C-Class Sedan’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The 300S’ standard 3.6 DOHC V6 produces 45 more horsepower (300 vs. 255) than the C-Class Sedan’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder. The 300’s optional 5.7 V8 produces 108 more horsepower (363 vs. 255) and 121 lbs.-ft. more torque (394 vs. 273) than the C-Class Sedan’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the 300 V8’s fuel efficiency. The C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Chrysler 300 uses regular unleaded gasoline (mid-grade octane recommended with the 5.7 V8 engine for maximum performance). The C-Class Sedan requires premium, which can cost 5 to 40 cents more per gallon.

The 300 has 1.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the C-Class Sedan (18.5 vs. 17.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

The 300 has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

For better stopping power the 300 V8/AWD’s brake rotors are larger than those on the C-Class Sedan:

For better traction, the 300’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the C-Class Sedan (245/45R20 vs. 225/40R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 300 offers optional 20-inch wheels. The C-Class Sedan’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The 300 has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the C-Class Sedan; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed. Some tire options on the C-Class Sedan don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the 300’s wheelbase is 8.2 inches longer than on the C-Class Sedan (120 inches vs. 111.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the 300 is 1.9 inches wider in the front and 3 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the C-Class Sedan.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the 300 a Large car, while the C-Class Sedan is rated a Compact.

The 300 has 16.3 cubic feet more passenger volume than the C-Class Sedan (106.3 vs. 90).

The 300 has 1.5 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom, 4.2 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom, 4.9 inches more rear legroom and 2.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the C-Class Sedan.

The 300 has a much larger trunk than the C-Class Sedan (16.3 vs. 12.6 cubic feet).

The 300 has a 1000 lbs. towing capacity. The C-Class Sedan has no towing capacity.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the 300 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The C-Class Sedan doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

Both the 300 and the C-Class Sedan offer available heated front seats. The 300 Touring L/S also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the C-Class Sedan.

Insurance will cost less for the 300 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the 300 will cost $935 to $2745 less than the C-Class Sedan over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the 300 is less expensive to operate than the C-Class Sedan because it costs $664 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the 300 than the C-Class Sedan, including $319 less for a water pump, $318 less for a starter, $127 less for fuel injection and $437 less for a fuel pump.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Chrysler 300 and the Mercedes C-Class Sedan, based on reliability, safety and performance.