Five Hundred is a Good Car but Too Conservatively Styled

Why did Chrysler Group sell 13,475 300s last month and Ford Motor Company only deliver 9,375 Five Hundreds, its best month yet? The larger picture has Chrysler selling 106,000 300s last year while Ford is only on target to deliver about 70,000 Five Hundreds in 2005. Is there a quantifiable reason?

Both cars ride on sophisticated European derived chassis components, the 300 pulling its general architecture from the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the Five Hundred borrowing much of its underpinnings from the Volvo S80. Heck, the Ford has a slight edge on the marginally heavier Chrysler through the slalom, offers more advanced 6-speed or continuously variable automatic

Considering the similarity between the two, why is Chrysler selling more 300s then Ford is selling Five Hundreds? (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

The 300, mind you, delivers up a more powerful V6, which doesnt make it sprint to 60 mph much faster than the lighter Five Hundred, however, only beating it by 0.2 seconds. But the 300C offers a powerful V8, with

The Ford has a slight edge on the marginally heavier Chrysler through the slalom and offers more advanced 6-speed or continuously variable automatic transmissions. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

But hold on a minute? Has the comparison between Fords Five Hundred and Chryslers 300 really come down to performance and the size of one vehicles trunk compared to another. While those opting for the Five Hundred will find this information helpful, most wanting a 300 have decided on buying one before reading anything.

It comes down

The difference between the 300 and the Five Hundred comes down to styling, and the Chrysler has a serious edge in this department. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

While the Five Hundred offers a slightly lower price than the 300, or any of its other full-size front- or all-wheel drive competitors, the problem lies in that it has direct competitors while the rear-drive 300 doesnt. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

The 300 is also alone in the entry-level luxury market, being the only full-size rear-wheel drive sedan priced under $24,000 - the 300 is also available with all-wheel drive. While the Five Hundred offers a slightly lower price than the 300, at $22,145, or any of its other full-size front- or all-wheel drive competitors, the problem lies in that it has competitors. Toyota, while only selling a handful of Avalons in comparison last year, expects better things from its all-new 2005 model, while Hyundai is coming to market with its new XG 350 replacement, dubbed Azera. Kia is enjoying accolades from the

There is talk that a revised Five Hundred is already in the works and due to appear mid-2007. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

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