New Styling to Help Raise Sales and Desirability of Full-Size Ford Sedan

Five Hundred is a Good Car but Too Conservatively Styled

Why did DaimlerChrysler Canada sell 1,532 300s last month and Ford Motor Company of Canada only deliver 574 Five Hundreds?

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

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 transmissions, compared to the 300s base 4-speed and upgradeable 5-speed units, which help it to achieve better fuel economy. An added bonus is greater interior and trunk room.

The 300, mind you, delivers up a more powerful V6, which doesn't make it sprint

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, Canadian Auto Press)

to 100 km/h much faster than the lighter Five Hundred, however, only beating it by 0.2 seconds. But the 300C offers a powerful V8, with a sophisticated cylinder-deactivation technology to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.

But hold on a minute? Has the comparison between Ford's Five Hundred and Chrysler's 300 really come down to performance and the size of one vehicle's 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.