Chrysler 300 vs Honda Accord

The 2023 Chrysler 300 retained its classic design elements reminiscent of a Bentley, with its bold grille and stately proportions. Despite its age, the 300's styling remained appealing, especially with the blacked-out appearance package available across all trim levels. The final production year offered the 300 in Touring, Touring L, 300S, and 300C trims, with the 300C being a limited edition featuring a powerful V8 engine. While the exterior promised luxury, the interior quality did not quite match, though the 300C did include premium materials like carbon-fibre trim and Laguna leather upholstery.

In contrast, the 2023 Honda Accord underwent a redesign that gave it a more technical and conservative appearance, moving away from the chrome-heavy look of its predecessor. The Accord EX, the only gas-only model in Canada, featured a dark grille, LED headlights, and a stylish Canyon River Blue paint. Inside, the Accord offered durable cloth seats with contrast stitching and a metal mesh dashboard trim. The digital instrumentation and touchscreen infotainment system reflected Honda's attention to detail and refinement, making the Accord EX a well-outfitted option for its price and class.

The 2023 Chrysler 300C was celebrated for its power and performance, thanks to a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 engine producing 485 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, allowed the 300C to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in approximately 4.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 257 km/h. The 300C also featured an adaptive damping suspension, Brembo brakes, and performance tires, enhancing its driving dynamics. However, the powerful engine resulted in cabin noise and a fuel economy rating of 13.1 L/100 km in combined driving.

The 2023 Honda Accord EX was equipped with a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 192 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque. While not as powerful as the Chrysler, the Accord's engine was adequate for its weight. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) powered the front wheels, and the Accord's suspension and steering systems provided a responsive and nimble driving experience. The Accord EX achieved a fuel economy of 8.2 L/100 km during testing, slightly higher than its official rating due to testing conditions. The Accord's ride quality was quiet and comfortable, with the brakes performing well even under duress.

The Chrysler 300 offered a spacious front seating area with power adjustments and premium Laguna leather, but the rear seats were less accommodating due to limited legroom and a slouched seating position. Storage space was limited, lacking modern conveniences like wireless charging. The trunk, however, provided a generous 461-litre cargo area with enclosed lid hinges.

The Honda Accord EX came standard with features like heated exterior mirrors, dual-zone climate control, and a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat. However, it lacked rear air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. The rear seats offered excellent leg support and were easy to access, with ample legroom. The Accord's trunk was slightly larger than the Chrysler's, at 473 litres, and allowed for easy loading of full-size suitcases.

The Chrysler 300 featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen with the Uconnect infotainment system, offering basic connectivity options like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While the system was user-friendly, it showed its age with dated graphics and a small screen. The 300C included a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system and an SRT Dashboard for performance settings, but lacked advanced camera systems.

The Honda Accord EX was equipped with a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It included Bluetooth, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and HondaLink connected services. The Accord's system was straightforward, with physical controls for the stereo and main functions. However, it did not include SiriusXM satellite radio, and the tuning knob was misleadingly labelled.

The Chrysler 300 offered limited advanced safety features, with most being optional except on the 300C. The available SafetyTec Plus Group included features like forward-collision warning and adaptive cruise control, but the system was not sophisticated. The 300's crash-test ratings were outdated, with a Marginal rating in the IIHS moderate-overlap frontal-impact test and Poor headlight performance.

The Honda Accord came standard with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems. These included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The Accord's safety features performed with accuracy and refinement, earning it a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS for 2023.