Compare the2023 Audi A8VS 2023 Chrysler 300

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The A8’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The 300 doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the A8 and 300 have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The A8 has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The 300’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The Audi A8 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The 300 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The A8 has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The 300 doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

The A8 has a standard Secondary Collision Brake Assist, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The 300 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the A8. But it costs extra on the 300.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the A8 helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard and even aims one of the vehicle’s headlights in the direction of the person or object. The 300 doesn’t offer a night vision system.

The A8’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the 300.

The A8 has a standard Top View Camera System 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 A8 and the 300 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, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

Warranty

The A8 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 or 14,000 miles sooner.

The A8’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the 300’s (12 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

For smoother operation, better efficiency and fewer moving parts, the A8 has an overhead cam design, rather than the old pushrod design of some of the engines in the 300.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Audi vehicles are better in initial quality than Chrysler vehicles. With 26 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Audi higher than Chrysler.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Chrysler With 8 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Audi higher than Chrysler.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Chrysler vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Audi 5 places higher in reliability than Chrysler.

Engine

The A8’s 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid produces 43 more horsepower (335 vs. 292) and 109 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 260) than the 300’s standard 3.6 DOHC V6. The A8’s 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid produces 35 more horsepower (335 vs. 300) and 105 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 264) than the 300S’ standard 3.6 DOHC V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the Audi A8 is faster than the Chrysler 300 V6:

	A8	300
Zero to 60 MPH	5.3 sec	6.6 sec
Quarter Mile	13.9 sec	15.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	101 MPH	96 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the A8 gets better mileage than the 300:

			MPG
A8
	AWD	3.0 turbo V6 Hybrid	19 city/28 hwy
300
	RWD	5.7 OHV V8	16 city/25 hwy
	AWD	3.6 DOHC V6	18 city/27 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the A8’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 A8’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. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The 300 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The A8 has 3.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the 300 (21.7 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Audi A8 higher (5 out of 10) than the Chrysler 300 (3). This means the A8 produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the 300 every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the A8’s brake rotors are larger than those on the 300:

	A8	300	300C
Front Rotors	14.8 inches	12.6 inches	14.2 inches
Rear Rotors	13.8 inches	12.6 inches	13.8 inches

The A8’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 A8 stops much shorter than the 300:

	A8	300
70 to 0 MPH	149 feet	175 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	108 feet	121 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	142 feet	143 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the A8 has larger standard tires than the 300 (255/45R19 vs. 215/65R17). The A8’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the 300 (265/40R20 vs. 245/45R20).

The A8’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 A8’s optional tires have a lower 35 series profile than the 300’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the A8 has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the 300 Touring. The A8’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the 300.

Suspension and Handling

The front and rear suspension of the A8 uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the 300, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The A8 offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Chrysler doesn’t offer an active suspension on the 300.

The A8 has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The A8’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The 300 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the A8’s wheelbase is 3.2 inches longer than on the 300 (123.2 inches vs. 120 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the A8 is 1.3 inches wider in the front and .5 inches wider in the rear than on the 300.

The A8 55 TFSI handles at .93 G’s, while the 300 pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The A8 55 TFSI executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.3 seconds quicker than the 300 (25.9 seconds vs. 27.2 seconds).

Chassis

The design of the Audi A8 amounts to more than styling. The A8 has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .26 Cd. That is significantly lower than the 300 (.32) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the A8 get better fuel mileage.

Passenger Space

The A8 has 4.7 cubic feet more passenger volume than the 300 (111 vs. 106.3).

The A8 has .6 inches more rear headroom and 4.2 inches more rear legroom than the 300.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the A8’s available rear seats recline. The 300’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the A8 easier. The A8’s trunk lift-over height is 27.4 inches, while the 300’s liftover is 30.1 inches.

With its sedan body style, valet key and remote trunk release lockout, the A8 offers cargo security. The 300’s non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the A8’s power trunk 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.

Towing

The A8’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the 300’s (3500 vs. 1000 pounds).

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Audi service is better than Chrysler. J.D. Power ranks Audi 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 57% lower rating, Chrysler is ranked 31st.

Ergonomics

Unlike the driver-only memory system optional at extra cost in the 300 S/Touring L, the A8 has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle and climate settings and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The A8’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the 300, and is not available on all models.

The A8 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction 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 A8’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The 300’s parking brake has to be released manually.

The A8’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 A8 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows 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 A8’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The 300’s power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The A8’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.

Heated windshield washer fluid is optional on the A8 to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The 300 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid. Its standard heated washer nozzles will defrost the washer fluid but not the windshield.

The A8’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the 300’s standard projector halogen headlights and light instantly. LED lights also last over twenty times longer than halogen. The A8’s LED headlights produce a white, bright light using less electricity than the 300’s optional xenon high intensity discharge (HID) headlights. HID headlights can be slow to reach full brightness or power cycle, causing issues when flashing them to signal other vehicles; LED headlights light instantly. LED lights also last about three to four times as long.

A power rear sunshade and rear side window sunshades are standard in the A8 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The 300 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The A8 has standard front air conditioned seats and offers them optionally in the rear. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The 300 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

The A8 offers optional massaging front and rear seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the 300.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Audi A8 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the 300.

The A8 offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The 300 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The A8’s optional Park Assist Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Park Assist Plus will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The 300 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Audi A8 and the Chrysler 300, based on reliability, safety and performance.

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