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2024 Kia Soul ReviewBest Full-Size Cars of 2023
Even in their final model years, the best full-size cars of 2023 can still impress.
Last Chance Sedans
Once a mainstay of American roads, the full-size sedan is endangered species today. Mass market sales have dwindled to the point that all three of our entrants on this list of the best full-size cars of 2023 are in their final year of production. That is right, after the 2023 model year, you will have to look to luxury models and EVs like the Tesla Model S and Mercedes-Benz S-Class for your full-size sedan fix.
And while the full-size sedan has been fully eclipsed by the SUV, this last year on the market still finds the full-size sedan a fulfilling vehicle offering comfort, space, and sizable engines. The Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger are badge-engineered siblings with the latter making its “Last Call” on ridiculous gas-powered V8s. The Nissan Maxima closes out its run as a good car lacking the necessary distinction to maintain a spot in the marketplace. Below we rank these final full-size sedans, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses.
3. Chrysler 300
The Breakdown
Roomy cabin space
Comfortable ride
V8 engine option on top trim level
AWD not available with Hemi
Poor fuel economy
Low visibility out of rear window
The 2023 300 is aging out of the game
CARSFORSALE.COM SCORE
8/10
How Do We Score?
CarsForSale.com takes into account key metrics to compile an aggregate score. Click to learn more.
MSRP
$35,140 - $56,595
BEST FUEL ECONOMY
19 City / 30 Hwy (MPG)
The 2023 Chrysler 300 continues to be a decent car overshadowed by its rougher, more charismatic Stellantis sibling, the Dodge Charger. But the 300 has its own unique charms and a good deal of grunt as well. The base 3.6L V6 makes a healthy 292 horsepower, pairs with an eight-speed automatic, and offers optional all-wheel drive. A more robust 5.7L V8 is on tap and good for 363 horsepower, more than adequate for most car buyers. And yet, Chrysler was not done and gave the rear-wheel drive-only 300C a monstrous 6.4L Hemi V8 with 485 horsepower and 475 lb.-ft. of torque for good measure. For such a large car, the 300 handles well enough while still providing the comfortable cruising you would expect from the segment.
The interior of the 300 is spacious and laid out in a serviceable manner. While material quality is not at its highest, upper trims do improve on this deficit by adding leather upholstery and carbon fiber trim. Stellantis’ Uconnect 4 infotainment software is among the best around with sharp graphics and a quick response time. The 300 may not have a lot of high-tech features, but all the basics are available: Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a premium stereo, and navigation. Chrysler was, however, stingy when it comes to standard safety features of which there is only the mandatory rear-view camera. Advanced safety options include blind spot detection, adaptive cruise, and lane keep assist, among others.
The base Chrysler 300 Touring starts at $35,140 and is disappointingly sparse for that price, offering cloth seats, the V6 engine, and an 8.4-inch touchscreen. The top-of-the-line 300C, at $56,595, gets the 6.4L Hemi V8, Brembo brakes among its performance features, and leather upholstery. The Chrysler 300 is a decent car hurt by a lackluster base model and a high price tag compared to slightly smaller but more impressive competition like the Honda Accord. With that said, the offer of a Hemi V8 in the 300 makes it a tempting sleeper right off the lot.
2. Nissan Maxima
The Breakdown
Great engine
Classy interior
Solid fuel economy
Small infotainment screen
FWD limitations
Tight back seat
A well rounded sedan
CARSFORSALE.COM SCORE
8.3/10
How Do We Score?
CarsForSale.com takes into account key metrics to compile an aggregate score. Click to learn more.
MSRP
$39,235 - $45,345
BEST FUEL ECONOMY
20 City / 30 Hwy (MPG)
The 2023 Nissan Maxima continues to be a good, well-rounded car even in its final year of production. The Maxima offers a balance of handling and ride quality, a nicer than average interior, and a generously equipped base model. The Maxima makes do with just a 3.5L V6 as its sole engine offering. This V6 puts up a healthy 300 horsepower and 261 lb.-ft. of torque. It is a peppy, engaging engine. Fuel economy is good for the full-size segment but at 20 city and 30 highway mpg, well behind the numbers found in the mid-size car segment.
The Maxima’s interior is the best in the segment and gives the car a semi-luxury feel with its standard leather upholstery, heated seats, and optional sunroof. Its only deficiency is that there is less room than the voluminousness of the Chrysler 300 and the Dodge Charger. The Maxima’s infotainment system is housed in an 8-inch touchscreen. Functionality here is good and Nissan makes sure to include features like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth connectivity, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. In contrast to the 300 and Charger, the Maxima has an extensive list of standard driver assist and advanced safety features including blind spot detection and adaptive cruise control.
The base SV trim starts at $39,235. While that’s not exactly cheap, Nissan makes sure to load the entry-level Maxima with plenty of standard features like keyless entry and ignition, leather upholstery, heated front seats, and more. The top trim Platinum, at $45,345, had premium leather and automatic wipers among its features. Overall, the Nissan Maxima is a good car but expensive when compared to the very competitive mid-size sedan cohort. However, if you want a roomier vehicle and detest SUVs, this is your last chance on a solid full-size sedan.
1. Dodge Charger
The Breakdown
Great engines
Above-average driving dynamics
Spacious cabin
Cheap-feeling interior
Fuel thirsty
Small infotainment system
The last of an era
CARSFORSALE.COM SCORE
8.4/10
How Do We Score?
CarsForSale.com takes into account key metrics to compile an aggregate score. Click to learn more.
MSRP
$34,240 - $91,030
BEST FUEL ECONOMY
19 City / 30 Hwy (MPG)
The 2023 Dodge Charger shares much of its underpinnings and features with the Chrysler 300. Both big, hulking sedans with loads of horsepower. But where the Charger distinguishes itself is in attitude and output. For the Charger, it’s really all about those growling, thunderous V8 that feel like a proper send-off to the internal combustion engine for Dodge.
The base 3.6L V6, while not the reason one buys a Charger, is still making a respectable 300 horsepower. The R/T trim gets the first V8, a 5.7L with 375 horsepower and an optional six-speed manual (an eight-speed automatic being the default transmission). Next, the R/T Scatpack’s 6.4L Hemi with 485 horsepower. Though this was more than enough for the Chrysler 300, it is not nearly enough for the Charger’s last hurrah. Instead, the SRT Hellcat gets a supercharged 6.2L V8 with a mind-bending 717 horsepower and 656 lb.-ft. of torque. But Dodge was not done yet, the Hellcat Redeye takes the same 6.2L to 797 horses and its final form, the Hellcat Redeye Jailbreak, tuned to 807 horses.
The Charger’s interior is a mixed bag. The cushy seats are road trip worthy but much of the cabin is cheapened with lackluster materials and a dated design. The cabin’s layout does maximize ease-of-use, and, like the Chrysler, the Charger is exceedingly roomy. Also, like the 300, the Charger has Stellantis’ Uconnect 4 infotainment software, which is snappy and intuitive to use. Standard safety is, like the 300, limited to a rear-view camera. Pay extra and you gain access to a lengthy list of advanced safety features like lane-departure warnings and adaptive cruise control.
The base SXT trim starts at $34,240 and offers remote start, 17-inch wheels, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The mid-level Scatpack runs $50,340 and comes with the 6.4L V8, Brembo performance brakes, and a sport-tuned suspension. The SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody Jailbreak (say that ten times fast) starts at $91,030 and gives you access to the supercharged 6.2L V8 tuned to 807 horsepower.
This really is the “last of the V8 superchargers,” at least for the Dodge Charger. As a final, statement-making car in a disappearing segment, the Charger has the unique allure of insane horsepower to help it easily transcend its rivals.
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