Is this the beginning or the end?
The Chrysler 300 sedan is a big, old sedan that refuses the death knell. It is almost ten years old and has a platform with DNA dating back to 2005. Rumours for the past two years have suggested that the 300-person cancellation is possible. However, this is not the case today.
A new report by Cars Direct confirms that the full-size sedan will be back for the model year 2021. Chrysler won’t offer upscale options like Nappa leather or wood trim. There will be only two trim levels available for the 300. The Limited and 300C models have been removed from the lineup. Hemi lovers, don’t worry, you can still have the 5.7-liter V8 option on the rear wheel-drive 300S.
The 300 Touring is the only trim available. It comes with rear- or all-wheel drive and a 3.6-liter V6 underneath. The standard mill is rated at 292 horsepower (218 megawatts), while the 300S receives a 300-hp version of the six. The prices are expected to rise only slightly to $495. You will pay more if you want to add some muscle to your high-powered sedan. You’ll be paying nearly $43,000 for a V8 engine option.
What will buyers do? Already, the 300 feels like it is on borrowed time. With only 29,213 cars finding homes, 2019 sales were down 37%. The car is also new and sits on dealer lots for a while. A recent survey showed that over half of the 2019 models remain unsold. It is the only vehicle in the trio of Chrysler minivans, and it is one of a handful of new American sedans.
Will the 300 survive to 2022? Although it’s difficult to predict, the future of the 300 is not looking good with declining sales and only two trim levels available for 2021.