1999 Chrysler 300M

In selecting Chrysler's 300M as our '99 Car of the Year recipient, we said, "The 300M is one of the freshest statements to come out of Detroit in years...a solid message that America really can build a machine that masterfully blends performance, luxury, styling, and value into a five-passenger sedan." How would we feel about it after a year of daily commuting and long-distance travel? Some 12 months later, the above comment still stands.

There are certainly plenty of near- and mid-level six-cylinder luxury performance sedans on the market, but the 300M packages a considerable number of this niche's most desirable characteristics at a price few others can match. Chrysler has played up the 300M as a genuine descendant of those "letter-car" greats of the '50s and '60s, like the 300C, 300D, and 300E. Close-but not quite. Those machines were all rear-drive two-door coupes and convertibles powered by monstrous Hemi and "Wedge" V-8 engines. They set speed records and tore up racetracks. As the 300M is a front-drive, V-6-powered four-door sedan that's not likely to run at a NASCAR event any time soon, the connection doesn't quite hold water. But none of that takes away from what is a terrific car-and a performer-in its own right.

Our '99 300M started with a base sticker price of $28,950. Few options were required, since the 300M comes with a commendably complete list of standard features, including an all-aluminum 3.5L/253-hp SOHC V-6, AutoStick transmission, power windows/locks/seats, leather interior, AM/FM/cassette/CD stereo, trip computer, and automatic climate control. We opted for the 360-watt 11-speaker sound system ($315), a power moonroof ($795), and the Performance Handling Package ($500). The last upgrades the suspension, brakes, and steering, and swaps the standard 17-in. rolling stock for an (oddly smaller) 16-in. performance wheel/tire setup. With no other major options to choose from, our total sticker came to $31,155.

Inside, the heated six-way power front bucket seats drew positive comments from several staffers, offering good support without exerting excessive side bolster squeeze on stockier occupants. Both front seats have power recliners; the driver's seat includes a manually adjustable lumbar support, and a two-person memory feature that also retains the outside mirror adjustment and individualized radio presets.

A glance from the front seat to the rear makes you wonder if this car has been limo-stretched-the cabin looks that huge. The 300M's 121.9 cu ft of EPA-measured interior space places it in the Large car class. There's spacious comfort for four, adequate room for five. Rear seat legroom seems ample whatever the height of the driver and front passenger. A folding 60/40 rear seat back affords a decent-size pass-through to the trunk, increasing the flexibility of the 300M's already ample cargo capacity, and we appreciated the handy cargo net.

Also popular was the 300M's clean dashboard layout: large white-faced fuel, temp, tachometer, and speedometer dials with retro-looking numerals and an "electroluminescent" nighttime glow. A center-mounted analog clock is another tasteful retro touch. Most switches are well placed and easy to use, including the thoughtful remote trunk release. Overall, the interior's fit, finish, and materials-usage are of high quality, though not quite up to the levels of several (admittedly higher-cost) imports. One logbook entry states "design of the interior befits a much more expensive car.

This Chrysler is about more than room and comfort, though. "Finally, a Chrysler V-6 with some torque," one staffer wrote-255 lb-ft of torque at 3950 rpm, 253 hp at 6400 revs, to be specific. The 3.5L V-6 moves the 300M with nearly V-8-like pull. A 7.7 sec 0-60 and a quarter-mile run in just 15.9 sec at 89.2 mph place this sedan squarely in the spirited performance category, and it delivers the goods on mid-grade, not premium gas. An electronically controlled AutoStick four-speed automatic provides the option of manual gear changes via a special shift gate.