Used Chrysler 300C 2005 - 2011 review

Big, bold and menacing-looking, the Chrysler 300C is related to the previous-shape Mercedes E-Class, but doesn't hide its American heritage. It certainly has plenty of presence on the road and tempts buyers by offering lots of kit for their cash.

Performance is never in short supply, whichever engine you choose, and the 300C is pretty refined, although it can't match the silky smoothness of a Jag.

On the road, the Chrysler always feels like a big car, which isn't surprising given its weight and length. That said, it feels assured through a series of fast, sweeping bends, although the body control could be better over poor surfaces.

Drivers will have no problem getting comfortable in the roomy cabin, although the comparatively small windscreen and big screen pillars restrict visibility. The huge boot easily copes with a family's holiday luggage, and every model is generously equipped.

Again, the diesel is the model to choose if you want to hold on to more of your hard-earned cash. It's the most fuel-efficient, for instance, returning an official average of 34.9mpg, and falls into group 16 for insurance. The 3.5 V6 is in the same insurance group, while the 5.7 V8 attracts a group 18 rating.

Pick the V6 and you'll be visiting the petrol station much more frequently, due to its official economy 25.7mpg. Go for the 5.7 V8, though, and you'll soon be on first-name terms with the forecourt staff - it returns a terrifying 11.1mpg average. However, when cruising, the V8 engine automatically shuts down four cylinders, improving economy to about 21mpg.

Whichever you choose, repair costs are likely to be high should anything go wrong - labour rates at Chrysler dealerships are well above average.

The 218bhp 3.0 turbodiesel is our favourite, thanks to its effortless pulling power and in-gear flexibility. It's pretty quiet, too, unless pushed hard.

The 249bhp 3.5-litre V6 is punchy and propels the big exec to 60mph in a reasonable 9.2sec, but for outright power and pace choose the 340bhp 5.7 V8. It never needs to be worked hard to make rapid progress and will help the car glide seamlessly to 60mph in under seven seconds.

There are no separate specification levels, and each model has a bespoke equipment list that can put many rivals to shame: the diesel and 3.5 V6 petrol have air-con, alloy wheels, stability control and traction control, parking sensors, electric windows all-round, a CD player and leather upholstery. The range-topping 5.7 V8 adds an electric sunroof, CD multichanger and sat-nav.