2016 Chrysler 300S: First Drive

We take the 2016 Chrysler 300S out on our favorite back roads to see if it's as fun to drive as the dearly departed SRT model. Full review inside and out, specifications, and performance ratings.
Under The Hood: 2016 Chrysler 300S 5.7 HEMI: • Under The Hood: 2016 C...
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[@anymanusa]

honestly, you can shift from park to drive faster with that rotary shifter than just about any other shifter configuration, ever. I have 100k on my '13 and '15 300s' combined, and I don't know what you're talking about on the paddle shifters. They work flawlessly.

[@juliusguerra217]

anymanusa same thing again man. I agree with they work perfectly fine. They are just the right size with a touch of a button.

[@anymanusa]

Now I have a combined 289k miles on this masterpiece of a transmission (70k +193k + 26k), and it has proven to be the best automatic transmission system ever made by mankind. There is nothing more that you could even ask for.

[@anymanusa]

dude, that dial selector is awesome. The dash shows the gear selection. Right in the center. Get with it.

[@winnerscircle4639]

anymanusa I totally 100% agree with you

[@juliusguerra217]

anymanusa yup agree 💯 percent it’s right in the top center. So you never have to look down as he stated. Also he complained about it and wanting an old fashion shift. Well buddy this 2017 and shits changing

[@josemanuel5749]

Nehh, Column Shifter is better.

[@Dialysisforever]

Safety issue! There has been a couple times when I needed to switch gears to get out of the way of someone backing up without looking. This dial would be a pain in the ass to activate quickly. Maybe after owning a while you would get used to it and it would be ok.

[@casonleath4007]

I've had a 2017 300S 5.7 hemi with the rotary knob and it took me a little less than 20 minutes to get use to it. It's not a safety issue. It's very easy to use and I don't look at it to switch gears anymore... just as "intuitive" as a shifter. This guy is making assumptions based off his limited experience with the car.

[@GaryWrightMusic]

Great review overall. I can comment that while I am not the biggest fan of the dial, you can also view your gearing on the HUD. This saves you from having to physically look down at the knob. Just figured I would note that for anyone watching who isn't aware.

[@germanium1872]

I own a Durango with that shifter, and I don't know what these guys are talking about. I got used to it in a day. I love it.

[@Defund_HOA.]

Honestly I was impressed overall after renting one for a week. Decent quality, smooth ride, cool infotainment center. Absolutely hated the dial shifter, still do, but after 3 or 4 days you kinda forget about it.

[@oussamahail1044]

that car remember me in heisenberg, i love 300S

[@garynembhard7433]

I have the more equipped 300C. I don't mind the rotary gear shift selector in mine. However, if I were buying the S, I'd want a regular tiptronic shifter.

[@ryanpatterson336]

has paddle shifters

[@Sheepleton]

We have the dial shifter in our Ram 1500 and our 300 Touring. I don't even notice them now, takes a week or 2 to get used to. Shift selectors are different from car to car anyways.

[@rkalla]

Appreciate the timely review - was getting close to closing on a 300s soon - like the look. Walked away from the review feeling like I'll miss the power of something faster. As a lifetime AZ'er, always appreciate the little touches for the locals ;)

[@OddItWorkedLastTime]

HAHAHAHA the snowbirds! I live in AZ and it was hilarious to hear these rude but absolute truths!! Good work.

[@thomasmeisch5692]

just came across this older video I have owned the 2016 V6 AWD version for 3 years now trading in from a 2011 5.7 AWD.. LOVE it and I like the knob vs the handle style shifter so no issue there it became very intuitive after just a couple days. Honeslty if your in the marked dont hesitate in getting the V6 I really didnt feel that big of a diffrence coming from the 5.7l to the 3.6l. Plus here in Michigan the need for AWD leaves you with the V6 option only as it was no longer available in the V8. Great overall review of the vehicle though in this video

[@gspainting11]

I have the same car with black leather. Love it and the HEMI sounds great!

[@BudOnTheLeaves]

you can look at your incluster display to know what gear your in but i kinda agree for the S

[@Hellcat1960]

Yeah I love ths car and looking to buy a 2017 since they'll be out shortly but I'm with you about that stupid shift knob. AND the paddle shifters. I'm with you there too. I have a 2015 Challenger Hellcat and I prefer banging the shifter back and forth manually to the dorky paddle shifters. I only tried them once to make sure they worked. Lastly LOL about the Snowbirds. We have them here in San Diego too Bro but not like you guys in AZ do. I feel your pain.

[@kangsankim6992]

Wait a minute... Is this breaking bad?

[@hello.marcos6174]

My dad has this car and I love it

[@marcozacarias1675]

Thank you for accurately describing thee snow boards here in AZ

[@timcox2306]

absolutely agree needs a proper gear leaver. i live in australia .we get the 6.4 srt co sts au 70k . this is my 2nd one and i am very happy with it very good review

[@JMotorCity]

Baboom? Toys? You're full of beans in this one.

[@anymanusa]

my man. that's what I'm talking about.

[@2012htcme]

Ahah agreed. Won't be back to this channel

[@winnerscircle4639]

I love then transmission dial over the lever

[@nrfa6229]

Do you have or can you do a video of a fully loaded Chrysler 300 base? I'm looking at a 300, but I don't want to feel the bumps in the road. Can you please do or send me a link if you already did. Thank you and great review

[@patsgarage8593]

I hate the trans knob as well but it's not that hard to put it in the right gear without looking.

[@100RentalCars]

Loved the review. Thanks for all the great info. Is it just me or does this car drive a bit like a boat. It's just so huge...well, at least on the outside. I kept hitting my head on the ceiling. I ended up giving it an okay review.

[@earlbatsonjr5528]

Great looking ride great review

[@ericbryant796]

Its quite funny viewing this review today with so many vehicles having gone to the rotary shifter...including the Ford GT500! 😂

[@devonnewest7990]

Love AZ, enjoyed the scenery! Very nice vid and a very nice car indeed :-)

[@menacer26]

I have the 200s. You get used to the rotary dial just as you do with the lever.

[@mauricecooper176]

in the truck it really messes you up one time I accidentally turned the heater fan off thought it was in park and jumped out the truck took off but I got it haha

[@tlf361]

Damn, poor you. The 200s is one of the worst cars ever made

[@landguy7108]

Slide that cup holder lid open, put a couple cups of hot black coffee in there and place a shift lever where the dial is located.Engage the shift lever or reach for that dial. Wow, "intuitively" there appears a hot spilled mess. The new Mustang with the stick shift lever also renders the cup holders, useless. Paddle shifters are only useful to racers downshifting into turns. Low profile tires are completely useless on wet pavement. No sidewall margin to collapse under centripetal forces. Result, the car skids very nicely into an uncontrolled skid. This car requires a winter set of Blizzaks and a separate set of wheels, and the replacement of the half safe tires in whenever spring actually arrives in winter climates. Its an expensive pain in the neck, switching tires and wheel every six months or so. Then there's the wheel storage/tire storage. The people who design at Chrysler Fiat just don't get it.

[@xTouragx]

Hehe...good review Sam...its a bit crazy right now in Scottsdale with all the out of towners...the summer heat will take care of them...curious to see if you will be testing the SS? For around the same price that car seems to offer more sportiness than the 300...especially that you can get the 6.2 and 6 speed manual..thoughts?

[@PKB94]

Apparently the MY2015+ Chrysler 300's have the same ZF 8HP transmission as BMW, Audi, Land Rover, and Jag. So the paddle shifters shouldn't suck too bad lol

[@rkalla]

Sam - you mentioned the seats are heated AND cooled - I thought the 300S lost the ventilated/cooling seats from the 300C - can you clarify?

[@STEVE33437]

I thought those of us in Florida were the only ones to get the Snowbirds Clogging our roads and restaurants! I saw a bumper sticker that read "when I get old I'm moving up north and driving slow!"

[@richardr5888]

100% Agree. I live in South Florida and my commute time doubles when the Snowbirds are here.

[@nageoford8043]

He complaining too much!!

[@gordd7348]

Get over the dial man. It's NOT a sports car.

[@joshuaflo5953]

Please tell me the difference in the sport button and the s on the dial knob

[@pineapplekilla7370]

The question is is it reliable ?

[@cutty6764]

on point with the review 👍

[@cornelldaniel]

why more of the 300's do not come with the adaptive cruise , park assist etc ?

[@mikexcanxjerk]

Cornell Daniel added feature so more money💲💲💲💲

[@jayrudadamaga4709]

I love my all black our black in 300 2016 s got it at 4000 miles has 25000 miles pre owned

[@elperico5418]

great review, but I wish that you would include the warranty info on all your reviews, it should not take up that much time, and if you can tell us if any vehicles you review have a smokers pkg, cause there are some ppl do smoke, and if how much that option would cost, thank you.

[@Printedperformance]

I use my analog clock for a different time zone so I know what time it is at my parents... atleast that's what I tell myself.

[@benzaaaaa]

We get the SRT exported to Aus - Great car

[@SR5127CL]

😂😂 Every comment is about the dial!!!

[@hermesqaryo9712]

Why does the limited cost more

[@yadvindergakhal4294]

Is this reliable?

[@golfbuddy1969]

Thank you for the review. One thing though...can you actually get the S with ventilated seats?

[@TestDrivenTV]

+golfbuddy1969 No, that was a mistake on the hosts part when he was rambling on ;)

[@jwick24gaming]

Chrysler 300 is a luxury car just happens to be sporty also

[@juanemiliobertiniarbelaez429]

ES UN CARRO MUY BONITO Y MUY BUENO FELICITACIONES

[@aaronluce15]

Does the gear shift turn part locks as you drive?

[@troymunson631]

Nice video

[@canadiansummer87001]

now it is 20k right

[@keithginyard7696]

I agree with Sam, i don't like that stupid dainty electronic rotary shifter. It's just another electric gizmo that if it fails, you can't even drive the car and would no doubt cost an arm and a leg to repair. Just stick with the old tried and true physical stick shifter and leave well enough alone.

[@mr.capalot1885]

Does it have a aux cord?

[@grgmck77]

5:40 I feel you. OCD. Other people driving. Not good.

[@edzback2]

Love my 2016. I won’t abuse you on the shift knob comment cause it looks like a lot of people already have lol hate the rims on the car in this video.

[@TestDrivenTV]

Abuse him all you want on the shift knob. Just because a lot of people do it doesn't mean they're right.

[@edzback2]

TestDrivenTV just a matter of opinions I guess. Personally having used my shift knob a few thousand times it is my opinion that it feels just fine.

[@Dialysisforever]

All the previous comments about how you have to be a moron to not like the rotary shifter, are made by people who have never been in an emergency where you need to get into reverse quick. It is not happening with the rotary. If you are behind someone that starts to back up, the rotary will screw you. Other than that, it is very nice. If the Rotary selector had a hard stop, like between Drive and Sport, between Reverse and Park, I would love the rotary selector

[@nephetula]

They haven't learned that spinney dials are good for radios, but not for gear shifting. It was dumb in the Mercedes and Jag, and it's equally dumb here. Put shift levers back in the cars and take away the pushbutton start. Leave the dials and buttons for minivans and cutesy little cars whose buyers mindlessly operate rather than drive.

[@jcheeks36]

this or the scat pack

[@rclarkrep100]

Dial Selector SUCKS! But it is what it is. Nice car.

[@tomasnordin9778]

I want a columnshifter !!!!

[@itsehhd1382]

Okay so you went into the review with a negative mindset. Gotcha.

[@shannonjude1]

I have A mostly blacked out 07 Chrysler 300 I think mine looks better than the new ones but you certainly are right about the low quality of materials and the poor production quality ... and the brakes suck on my car.

[@mikexcanxjerk]

Shannon Stjulien your sleep your 07 can't be better sure the body style is about the same but the aerodynamics has improve around the car , LED LIGHTS , better engine , better transmission , better interior lol ..

[@robertlandry5676]

Nice

[@mattts4g]

Time 0-60? Please

[@afrojack9901]

Bout 5 sec

[@eromusofwom]

I liked the lever but the idiot drivers that were too dense to make use of it properly ruined it for those of us who liked it. Now we get the rotary. Really who cares about the the dial though. The question is how does the transmission perform? I love it in my 2015 300S V8. Great power, minimally perceptive shifts, and fuel economy that's impressive.

[@Samer.a.lebron]

Compare it with a charger!!! Not a mustang you weirdo

[@leehancock2782]

PRND. Same as a stick.

[@anymanusa]

I don't see the complaint, really. I love mine.

[@daviidfm923]

LOL so your telling me you can't put it into drive without looking..... it stops at drive....... you have to push in and turn to get into S mode.

[@elliottmanning4116]

Did you just wanna use the Michigan license plate as a excuse to do a rant about snowbirds Sam? I live in Michigan and I thought your rant was funny. They sound like a bunch of annoying tourists that overstay their welcome.

[@TestDrivenTV]

+Elliott Manning He uses any excuse to go off on snowbirds, usually about halfway through their season until they leave in April. Thinks he was just upset he had to do multiple video takes shooting the car because they kept photobombing the scenes with their Lincolns, Mercurys and....Chryslers.

[@elliottmanning4116]

+TestDrivenTV And I would guess he uses words that he can't say on video to describe them lol, especially since they were making his job difficult.

[@leehancock2782]

Same clicks as a lever.

[@yungmoneyflow476]

I’ve herd that these Chrysler’s don’t have aux ports

[@BassManBobBassCovers]

Damn snowbirds !!!

[@shopwithaaron]

So sad that Chrysler was still using a borrowed platform and it still looks nearly the same....

[@ajmerchant4072]

I'd go with the SHO

[@01trsmar]

No way,this car is quicker than a Taurus SHO...5 seconds flat to 60 11.9 to 100 mph and low 13's in the quarter mile..Plus V-8 effortless power and sound,Taurus has 2 turbo's that need to be working to make the car go..Sure close race but 300 looks better,but my opinion..You like the Taurus,I like the 300,I own one..

[@icelover3]

Ay windsor

[@johnwarmann6948]

The 5.7 Hemi in my view is not good enough if you want real power. 363HP just doesn't take a 4400lb car that far. #Chrysler lost lots of fans by this move. This is coming from an 8 year 3x Chrysler 300 owner. My next car will definitely not be a Chrysler.

[@mikexcanxjerk]

John Warmann that's the torque it's so high being 394 lb feet of torque

[@johnwarmann6948]

mikexcanxjerk 394 < 475 in the 6.4 hemi

[@01trsmar]

5 second flat 0-60 and 11.9 second to 100 mph and low 13's in the 1/4 mile ,it is a very fast/quick car ! They get a few tenths quicker with more mileage on them...

[@mikexcanxjerk]

01trsmar how does this car compared to the 5.7 L charger v8 ?

[@juliusguerra217]

John Warmann true but that’s why they will b coming out with a 300 hellcat

[@JMotorCity]

TMI? LOL. Pics or it didn't happen.

[@bigblockdodge745]

It's a nice car BUT i would never buy one because they can stick there stupid rotary shifters that are also in the half ton trucks, what a stupid concept.Also for me i don't like paddle shifters.What we really need is a 6 speed manual trans in the 300.What ever happened to the days you could almost order any thing in a car.I once had a 64 impala wagon with a factory 4 speed!!!

[@01trsmar]

People don't want standard transmissions today...Besides these people testing them,the majority of owners just put it in drive and don't use the paddle shifters or floor shifter..

[@Lydia-j9o]

This guy is more of a crybaby about the shifter than anything else… Get over it

[@panagiotisf7228]

interior isnt up to that level of other cars

[@anymanusa]

name the "other cars".

[@anymanusa]

name the "other cars".

[@ImAyBeast]

first it tries too look like a Bentley and now a royce...come on..

[@brianbuchert6382]

Bryant v I’d say those aren’t bad cars to resemble lol

[@alexi9754]

That's one ugly box did some at Chrysler use a 5 year old to design this thing!!!

[@anymanusa]

wut?

[@01trsmar]

???? Updated in 2015 and the suspension etc. was totally redone..GM/ford?imports all look the same for years longer and nobody says anything,unreal !

[@juliusguerra217]

alex i learn how to spell correctly.

[@mikexcanxjerk]

You mention fuel economy isn’t bad , so should someone get the v8 over the v6 then ? What if you do more city than hwy

[@macwiller7127]

if you get the s model can you get it withought the padel shifters n the beats in the trunk can u take theme off

[@BudOnTheLeaves]

+mcwiller aluc You can get without the paddle shifters but the beats are Standard with the S if you dont like that paddle shifters or the beats audio just get the 300c platinum or even the limited is the closest trim level to the S without the paddle shifters and beats audio