Chrysler says that the additional dark trim and new blue-hued interior of the 2014 300S sedan are more ways “to suit up [its] ‘Imported from Detroit’ stance.” We’ll go ahead and roll with the idea that a bruise-like color scheme evokes Detroit-style scrappiness, and we dig the mild updates Chrysler has applied to the slick, city-oriented version of its 300 sedan.
The exterior beltline trim, window trim, and headlight and taillight accents are now Gloss Black, and the grille is a new Black Chrome piece. There are new, black 19- and 20-inch wheel designs (the former for all-wheel-drive models, the latter for rear-drivers), and Dark Ceramic Gray paint joins the options list. Inside, new Ambassador Blue leather upholstery can be specified; we assume this nods toward Detroit’s Ambassador Bridge, which is painted blue and connects Motown to Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Thankfully, the sharp-looking blue cabin lacks rust, tolls, or sticky legal situations involving government-funded alternative bridges, er, interiors.
- Comparison Test: 2013 Chrysler 300S vs. Dodge Charger SXT, 2013 Hyundai Azera, Toyota Avalon XLE, 2014 Kia Cadenza, and Chevrolet Impala LT
- Instrumented Test: Chrysler 300S V-6 8-speed Automatic
- Instrumented Test: 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8
The 300S carries forward its standard 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 making 300 horsepower and a smooth eight-speed automatic transmission. Buyers can still spec their 300S with a 370-hp, 5.7-liter Hemi V-8, as well as all-wheel drive. The midlevel 300’s base price never cracks $40,000 regardless of configuration, which strikes us as a good deal, no matter where it’s “imported” from. Which is technically Canada, not Detroit, although some completed cars for U.S. sale travel over the Ambassador Bridge and through Detroit.
