Most buyers will go for the smooth 218bhp 3.0-litre turbodiesel. It's got impressive pulling power, and fuel economy is far more palatable than you'll get from the petrol-powered 300C SRT-8. The SRT-8 has a 419bhp 6.1-litre V8, and can take the car from 0-60mph in just five seconds.

On the road, the 300C always feels like a big car, which isn't surprising given its weight and length. The ride is fidgety at lower speeds and the body floats over dips and crests, although the steering is assured and easy through fast, sweeping bends.

Most of the time, the 300C is quiet, and it's only at higher speeds that road and wind noise become audible. The potent V8 engine isn't the smoothest, but it rarely needs to be worked hard to make rapid progress. The 3.0-litre diesel also remains quiet unless pushed hard.

The 300C is attractively priced and residual values are good - on the diesel models. All engines, however, fall into high company car tax bands. To try and keep running costs down, the V8 engine automatically shuts down four cylinders to reduce fuel consumption while cruising; even so, you can still expect only about 21mpg. The diesel is the one to go for, averaging 34.9mpg.

The 300C's cabin is pleasant enough, but the plastics and trim don't look as classy as those in European rivals. Chrysler will be looking for an improvement on its past reliability record, after some below-average scores in customer satisfaction surveys.

Crash protection is excellent, thanks to standard front, side, window and rear airbags. Stability control is also fitted, and deadlocks and an engine immobiliser protect against theft.

Eight-way seat adjustment helps the driver to make himself comfortable, but things would be better if the steering wheel moved for reach as well as height. It's hard to see the front and rear of the car, too, while the comparatively small windscreen and big front pillars create blind spots in tight corners.

Not surprisingly, given its vast dimensions, the 300C provides masses of interior space. Headroom is generous, even for taller passengers, as is leg- and elbow room, and five adults can stretch out in comfort. The huge boot copes easily with a family's holiday luggage.

Standard equipment puts many rivals to shame. Alloy wheels, rear parking sensors, cruise control and heated leather seats with power adjustment are all included. Every car also has dual-zone climate control, which tailors the temperature individually for front and rear passengers.