Chrysler 300C AWD closes curtain on year

Happy New Year is my greeting to Denver Post readers from the cushy seat of the 2014 Chrysler 300C all-wheel-drive sedan, the final review of year ’13.

The Chrysler is one of 77 new models driven during the past 12 months, and its sticker of $45,670 nearly matches the average price of all, $45,900. In 2012, the average price was $46,424 for 72 new cars and trucks.

Those driven this year ranged in price from the Ford Fiesta hatchback at $17,135 to the sporty, luxurious, high-powered Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG roadster at $171,225.

The Chrysler 300 continues as a strong rear-wheel-based competitor against the Ford Taurus, Chevrolet Impala and Toyota Avalon.

Like so many 300s sold in Colorado, the review model was equipped with all-wheel drive.

It is upgraded for the future with the 292-horsepower Pentastar V-6 engine and 8-speed automatic transmission.

The V-6 acceleration, though somewhat pale when measured against the long-used Hemi V-8, is plenty adequate for the 4,100-pounder, and performs smoothly with the 8-speed, controlled with a short shifter.

Fuel mileage average was 23.1 for a fairly even split of city/highway travel (EPA estimate 19/27).

Jan and I tested the 300′s AWD setup a bit during a snowy, evening drive to Shanahan’s in south Denver.

The upright, square-jawed exterior design, introduced in 2005, remains popular with purchasers of large cars; also appreciated is a plush interior of fine craftsmanship.

Among amenities are Beats premium audio, heated front and rear seats and ventilated front seats, heated and cooled cupholders, heated steering wheel, panoramic sunroof, automatic high-beam headlamps, adaptive speed controls, rear power sunshade, remote start, navigation and rearview camera with large display screen.

During the year, I reviewed seven Fords, six Chevrolets and five Nissans. BMW, Kia and Mazda each provided four cars, while three each were offered by seven manufacturers – Audi, Buick, Dodge, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jeep and Volkswagen. Two cars each were sent by Acura, Cadillac, GMC, Honda, Jaguar, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Ram, Range Rover and Subaru. The reviews included single models from Chrysler, Fiat, Lincoln, Mini Cooper, Mitsubishi and Toyota.

Bud’s Cars and trucks driven in 2013 and their prices:

Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG $171,225;

Nissan GT-R $104,000;

Jaguar XJL AWD $86,295;

Range Rover Sport $79,030;

Lexus LS460 $76,620;

Jaguar XF AWD $69,045;

Ram 3500 Crew Cab $68,960;

Audi S5 Coupe $66,895;

Ram 2500 Laramie Longhorn Crew Cab $66,850;

Lexus GX460 $66,715;

Infiniti M35 Hybrid $66,245;

Mercedes-Benz E350 AWD Coupe $64,670;

BMW 435i xDrive $64,278;

Acura RLX $61,345;

Cadillac XTS AWD $59,625;

BMW 335i xDrive $56,145;

Acura MDX $55,400;

Infiniti JX35 AWD $55,170;

Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel $54,480:

GMC Sierra Denali $53,694;

BMW 328i xDrive GT $52,575;

Audi Q5 TDI $51,945;

Infiniti Q60 Coupe $50,405;

Range Rover Evoque $50,225;

GMC Sierra 1500 Crew Cab $49,045;

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab $48,750;

Audi A5 Coupe $48,560;

BMW X1 $48,395;

Cadillac ATS 3.6L $47,780;

Ford Explorer Sport $47,390;

Chevrolet Traverse LTZ $46,410;

Dodge Durango Limited $45,675;

Chrysler 300C AWD $45,670;

Buick LaCrosse AWD $45,475;

Dodge Durango R/T $45,165;

Lincoln MKZ AWD $45,025;

Ford Edge Limited $44,810;

Nissan Pathfinder $44,395;

Honda Pilot $42,250;

Kia Cadenza $41,900;

Buick Regal AWD $40,445;

Mazda CX-9 $40,030;

Mini Cooper S Paceman $39,800;

Chevrolet Impala LTZ $39,245;

Hyundai Santa Fe $38,730;

Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk $38,315;

Honda Crosstour EX-L $37,920;

Kia Sorento $37,450;

Ford C-Max Energi plug-in $36,240;

Ford Fusion AWD $35,980;

Ford Escape Titanium $35,130;

Subaru Outback 3.6R $34,365;

Volkswagen CC R-Line $33,020;

Hyundai Sonata Hybrid $32,640;

Kia Sportage SX $32,400;

Buick Encore AWD $32,230;

Nissan Altima $32,135;

Nissan Xterra Pro-4X $31,925;

Mazda CX-5 $31,890;

Dodge Journey $31,755;

Mazda6 $30,865;

Subaru Forester $30,420;

Volkswagen Beetle Convertible $29,290;

Mitsubishi Outlander Sport $28,570;

Ford Focus ST $28,290;

Nissan Juke Nismo $27,710;

Jeep Patriot Latitude $26,450;

Chevrolet Cruze Turbodiesel $25,795;

Fiat 500L $25,545;

Volkswagen Beetle TDI $25,460;

Mazda3 $24,985;

Hyundai Elantra Coupe $23,965;

Kia Soul ! $23,575;

Toyota Corolla S $23,570;

Nissan Sentra SL $22,400;

Chevrolet Sonic $20,405;

Ford Fiesta hatchback $17,135.