2022 Honda Civic vs 2023 Chrysler 300

The 2022 Honda Civic presented a more mature and conservative design compared to its predecessor, drawing inspiration from the larger Accord sedan. This 11th-generation Civic was available in familiar trims like LX, EX, Sport, and Touring, with prices in Canada starting at an MSRP of $24,465 for the LX and reaching up to $30,265 for the Touring, excluding destination charges. The Civic Touring, our primary evaluation vehicle, featured a new Morning Mist Blue paint, adding $300 to the price, bringing it to $32,396. The interior of the Civic embraced simplicity, with a minimalistic layout and improved materials, especially in the Touring trim, which reflected a newfound maturity. The dashboard's metal honeycomb mesh elegantly concealed the air vents, contributing to the refined aesthetic.

In contrast, the 2023 Chrysler 300 maintained its classic, bold styling reminiscent of a Bentley, a comparison that dates back to its 2005 debut. Despite its age, the 300's design aged gracefully, with blacked-out appearances and large 20-inch wheels enhancing its stately presence. For its final production year, the 300 was available in Touring, Touring L, 300S, and 300C trims, with the 300C being a limited edition. Prices ranged from $48,945 to $72,995, with the 300C sitting at the top of the pricing spectrum. The interior, while featuring premium materials like Laguna leather and carbon-fibre trim, didn't quite match the luxury promised by its exterior. The 300C's cabin felt its age, with some modern conveniences missing, but it still offered a comfortable ride for front-seat passengers.

The 2022 Honda Civic offered two engine options, both improved from the previous generation. The LX, EX, and Sport trims featured a 2.0-litre DOHC four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque. This engine was adequate for daily driving but paled in comparison to the turbocharged 1.5-litre DOHC four-cylinder engine in the Touring trim, which delivered 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. The turbocharged engine provided a satisfying blend of performance and efficiency, with a broad torque range from 1,700 to 4,500 rpm. Both engines were paired with continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) featuring Step Shift programming for a more traditional automatic feel. The Civic's Sport and Touring trims included a Sport transmission mode, enhancing the car's responsiveness and driving enjoyment. Despite its fun-to-drive nature, the Civic Touring's fuel efficiency fell short of expectations, returning 7.7 litres per 100 kilometres on a 150-kilometre loop.

The 2023 Chrysler 300C, on the other hand, was all about power and performance. It revived the spirit of 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. This powertrain enabled a 4.5-second sprint to 100 km/h and a top speed of 257 km/h. The 300C featured an adaptive damping suspension, Brembo brakes, and performance tires, with driving modes to tailor the experience. However, the rear-wheel-drive setup required careful throttle application to maintain grip. The 300C's performance came at the cost of cabin noise and fuel economy, with an average of 13.4 litres per 100 kilometres on the evaluation loop.

The 2022 Honda Civic prioritized comfort with redesigned front seats offering improved support. The Touring trim featured leather upholstery and power-adjustable driver's seat, though the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The Civic's low stance made entry and exit challenging, but rear-seat legroom was generous. However, the absence of rear air conditioning vents was a notable oversight. The redesigned centre console offered less storage space but improved cupholder accessibility. The trunk provided 419 litres of cargo space, reduced to 408 litres in the Touring trim due to premium sound system components.

In the 2023 Chrysler 300, the front seats offered premium Laguna leather, heating, and ventilation, providing a comfortable experience. However, the rear seats were less accommodating, with limited legroom and a slouched seating position. Storage space was lacking, with no dedicated smartphone slot or wireless charging. The trunk, accessible via remote keyless entry, offered a spacious 461-litre cargo area with enclosed lid hinges.

The 2022 Honda Civic boasted advanced digital instrumentation, with the Touring trim featuring a 10-inch display offering customization and driving environment data. The Vehicle Activity display was a standout feature, ensuring drivers were aware of their lighting status. The Civic's infotainment system included a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the Touring trim upgraded to a 9-inch display with wireless connectivity and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The system's performance was impressive, with excellent voice recognition technology.

The 2023 Chrysler 300 featured the previous-generation Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen. While functional, the system showed its age with dated graphics. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required USB connectivity, and the 300C included SiriusXM, navigation, and a 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The system's controls were intuitive, with physical knobs for volume and tuning. However, accessing seat heating and ventilation required navigating virtual menu buttons. The 300C's tech included a speed warning feature, though a surround-view camera system was notably absent.

The 2022 Honda Civic impressed with its upgraded Honda Sensing suite, featuring Traffic Jam Assist, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and Lane Keeping Assist. The new wide-view front camera and ultrasonic sensors improved the system's performance. The Civic also replaced the LaneWatch system with a proper blind-spot warning system and rear cross-traffic alert. The car's architecture was strengthened for better collision protection, and new airbag designs enhanced safety. A rear-seat reminder system was standard.

The 2023 Chrysler 300's safety features were less advanced, with most options available only in the 300C trim. The SafetyTec Plus Group offered forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The lane-keeping assist system was effective, 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.