2022 BMW 3 Series vs 2023 Chrysler 300

The 2022 BMW 3 Series offered a diverse lineup, including the 330i, 330e, M340i, M3, and M3 Competition, with base prices ranging from $44,990 to $93,500, excluding a $2,480 destination charge. Each variant featured a unique powertrain, with the 330i xDrive sedan and 330e equipped with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, while the M340i boasted a turbocharged six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology. The M3 and M3 Competition were the high-performance models. The M340i xDrive, tested in Barbera Red paint, featured Cognac-colour SensaTec upholstery and options like the Advanced Driver Assistance package, Premium Enhanced package, and Adaptive M Suspension, bringing the price to just under $80,000. The M340i's exterior design included exclusive grille and bumper designs, Shadowline trim, and 19-inch wheels, resulting in an appealing style. Inside, the SensaTec upholstery mimicked leather, and the Cognac colour contrasted with the dark cabin, offering a technical design focused on driving enjoyment.

The 2023 Chrysler 300, introduced in 2005, was likened to a Bentley due to its round headlights, bold grille, and stately proportions. Over the years, Chrysler reworked the 300, updating powertrains and technologies while maintaining its Bentley-adjacent lineage. The 300 aged well in terms of styling, with blacked-out appearances and 20-inch wheels. For its final production year, the 300 was available in Touring, Touring L, 300S, and 300C trims. The Touring and Touring L featured a Pentastar V6 engine with RWD or AWD, while the 300S offered a V8 engine with RWD. The limited 300C had a more powerful V8 and RWD. Prices ranged from $48,945 to $72,995, with the 300C being the exception. The 300C's interior included carbon-fibre trim, premium Laguna leather, and cowhides, but overall, the interior quality matched its price and age.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series M340i was equipped with a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six engine featuring 48-volt mild-hybrid technology, achieving 9.4 litres per 100 kilometres on the evaluation route, slightly above the official rating of 9.2 L/100 km. The engine produced 382 horsepower between 5,800 rpm and 6,500 rpm and 368 pound-feet of torque from 1,800 rpm to 5,000 rpm. It paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission with Sport mode, paddle shifters, and launch control, with power flowing to the rear wheels through an M Sport differential. The xDrive AWD system was standard in Canada. The M340i included M Sport brakes, variable sport steering, and an M Sport suspension, with the optional Adaptive M Suspension enhancing driving dynamics. BMW claimed a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 4.3 seconds. The M340i excelled in handling, offering precise response and a thrilling driving experience, making it a benchmark for sports sedans.

The 2023 Chrysler 300C revived the 300 SRT with a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 engine, producing 485 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission with Sport mode and paddle shifters. Chrysler claimed a 0-100 km/h time of 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 257 km/h. The 300C featured an adaptive damping suspension, Brembo brakes, and performance tires on lightweight forged aluminum wheels. Driving modes adjusted drivetrain response, steering effort, suspension firmness, and exhaust sound. The 300C's rear tires chirped easily, and Sport mode altered its driving character, but stability control warnings prompted a return to Auto mode. The 300C offered a Germanic sensation in ride and handling, reminiscent of a mid-1990s AMG-tuned Benz. However, cabin noise and fuel economy, rated at 13.1 L/100 km, were drawbacks, with an average of 13.4 L/100 km on the evaluation loop.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series M340i, despite its traditional sedan design, offered driving satisfaction without sacrificing passenger comfort and practicality. The M340i featured power-adjustable front sport seats with excellent support and a perfect driving position. Rear seat passengers had adequate legroom, making it suitable for four relatively tall people. The back seat provided good thigh support, but the centre rear seating position was likely unused. A three-zone automatic climate control system was standard, with heated steering wheel and front seats in Canada. Interior storage was decent, and the 481-litre trunk offered roomy cargo space with a 40/20/40-split folding design. However, ventilated front seats were unavailable.

The 2023 Chrysler 300, technically a full-size car, felt spacious only in the front seats. The 300C's front seats offered power adjustments, premium Laguna leather, heating, and ventilation. The rear seats were less comfortable, with tight legroom and a slouch-promoting backrest angle. Rear passengers had air conditioning vents, heated cushions, and charging ports. Storage space was limited, lacking a modern smartphone slot or wireless charging. The trunk, accessed via remote keyless entry, offered a 461-litre cargo area with enclosed lid hinges.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series offered the optional Digital Cockpit Professional with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel, a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and navigation. While missing traditional analog gauges, the infotainment package worked well. BMW iDrive 7.0 was intuitive, with multiple control options, including gesture control. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and a 10-speaker HiFi sound system, with a 16-speaker Harman Kardon system available. Connected Package Pro technology included BMW Remote Services and the Intelligent Personal Assistant, offering conversational voice recognition. A head-up display was available, but challenging to read with polarized sunglasses. The Advanced Driver Assistance Package included a surround-view camera system, parking sensors, and autonomous parking capability.

The 2023 Chrysler 300 featured the previous-generation Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen. While easy to use, it showed its age. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a USB data port, and the 300C included SiriusXM satellite radio, Guardian connected services, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. The SRT Dashboard allowed driving mode settings and performance tracking. The 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was bass-heavy, with volume and tuning controls on the steering wheel. Dual-zone climate controls were separate from the touchscreen, but seat heating and ventilation required virtual menu access. A speed warning feature was helpful, but a surround-view camera system was absent, and the reversing camera lacked high resolution.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series included Active Guard, featuring forward-collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, city-speed automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. The Traffic Jam Assistant offered semi-autonomous driving with adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assist. The Emergency Stop Assistant detected unresponsive drivers and initiated an SOS call. The 3 Series earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS with optional adaptive LED headlights and five-star ratings from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Chrysler 300's safety features were mostly optional, except for the fully loaded 300C. The SafetyTec Plus Group included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. Rain-sensing wipers were standard. The lane-keeping assist system was useful, but the adaptive cruise control lacked sophistication. The 300's crash-test ratings were outdated, with a Marginal rating in the IIHS moderate-overlap frontal-impact test and Poor headlight performance.