There is currently a weird knee-jerky trend in the automotive industry in which most automakers have abandoned a diverse vehicle lineup to stack up SUV crossovers and EVs. It makes sense for companies to meet consumer demand, but they have overplayed their hands as both of these segments have peaked, especially for electric vehicles, and now automakers like Ford are stuck with seven different SUVs and several EVs that nobody wants. More often than not, it was the V-8 sedan that was cut to make way for these fads, and in 2025, this is one of the rarest vehicles that is still a viable segment.
- Base Trim Engine
-
3.6L V6 Gas
- Base Trim Transmission
-
8-Speed Automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
-
Rear-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
-
292 hp
- Base Trim Torque
-
260 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm
- Fuel Economy
-
19/30 MPG
- Make
-
Chrysler
- Model
-
300
- Segment
-
Midsize Sedan
While there’s not much to choose from for a new sedan packing V-8 power, the gently-used market has a lot more to offer. Stellantis helped Chrysler celebrate 100 years of carmaking in 2025 by making sure the iconic American brand had absolutely no cars to sell for the first time in their history. The Chrysler 300 was discontinued in 2023 for a mystery EV that has yet to materialize, so while you can no longer get that model, a used one is a great pick-up. In fact, a five-year-old, low-mileage, great condition 300C is the most affordable full-size sedan with a V-8 available today. Since the 300C was a tragically slept-on ride in its day, in 2025, it’s a bargain sleeper pick of a lifetime.
To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturers and other authoritative sources, including J.D. Power and Kelley Blue Book.
Cheapest 2020 Used V-8 Sedans
The further you go back, the cheaper a used car is going to be, with the exception of classic collectibles, but five years is the time frame that makes the most sense. Right now, a 2020 model offers the perfect balance between condition and value. It’s that sweet spot where the car still has plenty of life left in it, while coming in at a budget-friendly price.
For the 2020 model year, most of the V-8 sedans are German luxury cars that hold their value fairly well and aren’t necessarily affordable. Also, picking up a used BMW or Mercedes that is past its warranty comes with some risk. While they are quality-built cars, things can still go wrong, and the repairs could end up being expensive. The Cadillac CT6 is much cheaper to fix, but still has a $50,000-plus used price, so it’s not a bargain hunter’s special either.
2020 V-8 Sedans Average Retail Price
- Chrysler 300C – $28,035
- Genesis G90 Ultimate – $37,428
- Cadillac CT6 Platinum – $54,615
- Mercedes-AMG C63 S – $56,175
- Mercedes-Benze S560 – $61,575
- BMW M5 – $62,950
The Genesis G90 Ultimate is an intriguing entry that offers a high level of luxury, as well as performance with a 420-horsepower 5.0-liter V-8. There may be something wrong with this particular model, however, as it originally retailed at $76,725 and now sells for, on average, under $40,000. Then again, maybe it’s just a superb deal on a car that doesn’t get enough attention.
There are no worries about buying a 2020 Chrysler 300C, as it’s a rock-solid V-8 sedan, with a rocking used price. J.D. Power reports that the average price paid for a ’20 300C is a couple of grand under $30,000. While that’s certainly a budget price, this is no budget ride, with a luxurious interior, loads of features, a smooth ride, and most importantly, Hemi-powered V-8 performance. This really is the best car for the money, and it’s probably not on a lot of buyers’ radar.
2020 Dodge Charger R/T Spoiler
Actually, the Dodge Charger R/T is the cheapest four-door V-8 from the Class of 2020, with an average retail price of just $26,918, but there are reasons why it isn’t the star of this feature. With four doors, it is technically a sedan, but is in reality classified as a muscle car, and buyers looking at G90s or CT6s also don’t have the Charger on their list. While it packs the same 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 as the 300C, it doesn’t have anywhere near the luxury, handling, or features of the Chrysler. For people in the market for some cheap used muscle, the 2020 Charger R/T is the only way to go, but V-8 sedan shoppers should start their search with the 300C.
2020 Chrysler 300C Budget Luxury
The second-gen 300 launched in 2011, which by 2020 should have made it an ancient relic, but Chrysler kept it relevant with yearly tweaks and a full-blown refresh in 2015. The 2020 300 came standard with a 3.6-liter, 292-horsepower V-6 engine, but the top trim 300C is where the Hemi V-8 power is at. The only real bummer about this car is that the all-wheel-drive option was only available with the V-6-equipped models, but the thrill of the Hemi is enough to make anyone forget about that. The V-6 trims had a stiffer suspension, so even with AWD, they didn’t ride nearly as smoothly as the upscale 300C, which is another reason why that option couldn’t compete with the V-8.
2020 300C By The Numbers
- Original MSRP: $43,490
- Average Retail: $28,035
- Fair Purchase Price: $23,853
- Reliability Rating: 83/100 points
- Consumer Reviews: 4.7/5 stars
- NHTSA Safety Rating: 4/5 stars
Because the 300C is kind of a sleeper, most people don’t know that much about it, especially when it comes to quality. Rest assured, this is one of the better-built vehicles on the market, and that’s something everyone should be looking at in a used vehicle. The Hemi V-8 is a bulletproof engine that will give hundreds of thousands of miles with some routine TLC, and the rest of the mechanical components are just as solid.
The 300 will perform and handle with any vehicle out there. I have had newer Camaros and Vettes. The 300 will not only stay with them but will deliver 24 to 27 mpg religiously.
J.D. Power gives it an 83 out of 100 points in quality and reliability, which is “Great” on their scale. Kelley Blue Book consumer reviews are gushing, praising it at 4.7 out of 5 stars, with 84 percent giving it the top rating. While nobody wants to think about disasters, there’s peace of mind knowing that the 300C is one of the safest full-size cars on the road.
300C Power And Performance That Holds Up Five Years Later
For being such a large car, the 300C handles exceptionally well with responsive steering and one of the smoothest rides you’ll ever experience. Of course, the main attraction here is its 5.7-liter Hemi V-8, which produces 363 horsepower and 394 pound-feet of torque. Most buyers expect a certain level of performance with an upscale vehicle, but with a 5.3-second 0-60 time, 13.9-second quarter-mile, and 168 MPH top speed, the 300C is more like a muscle car than a luxury sedan. This awesome Hemi is paired with a silky eight-speed transmission that effortlessly turns those raw ponies into pure road rage. It would have been cool for a manual option, but Mopar didn’t do a lot of stick work for the rebooted Hemi V-8, and, again, nobody has ever complained about the 300C’s acceleration.
300C Luxury Competes With Models Three Times Its Price
For some reason, the 2020 300C isn’t considered a full-luxury ride, but its interior begs to differ. With leather power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, as well as real wood inserts and chrome accents, this is one of the nicest cabins available. There’s ambient LED lighting, and even the cupholders are illuminated.
The 8.4‑inch touchscreen display is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible, plus there are scads of driver assist/safety features to put the 300C in the top tier. It’s also one of the roomiest cars in its class, with leg, shoulder, and headroom to spare for all five passengers. The rear seats fold down to create mega storage with the trunk that is usually only found in SUVs.
2023 Chrysler 300C
2023 was the last year for the Chrysler 300C, and could be an option for buyers looking for something more recent and with a bit more kick. The ’23 300C delivers that last part and then some with the ferocious 6.4-liter 392 Hemi V-8 that adds more than 100 horsepower plus pound-feet of torque over the 5.7-liter V-8. If the 2020 300C is a muscle car in disguise, and it is, the 2023 392-equipped version is a sports car masquerading as a luxury sedan. With acceleration times that usually come from turbo or supercharged high-end performance vehicles, the 300C ass-kickingest sleeper car of the new Millennium.
2023 300C Power And Performance Specs
|
Engine |
6.4-liter 392 Hemi V-8 |
|
Horsepower |
485 HP |
|
Torque |
475 LB-FT |
|
Transmission |
Eight-speed automatic |
|
0-60 Time |
4.4 seconds |
|
Quarter-mile |
12.8 seconds |
|
Top Speed |
160 MPH |
Obviously, this added performance, as well as being a more recent model, doesn’t come cheap, but then again, it does. The $56,595 MSRP on the 2023 300C is actually not bad considering how much luxury and performance it came with, but the average used price of $43,710 is downright inviting.
This car is barely two years old, so it’s practically new and much cheaper than five-year-old BMWs, Cadillacs, or Mercedes V-8 sedans, with similar luxury and performance. The $40,000-plus neighborhood may not be in everyone’s budget like the super-cheap 2020 300C, but it still represents one hell of a value that simply can’t be beat.
Affordable Luxury And Performance
We picked the 2020 Chrysler 300C as the most affordable and best used V-8 full-size sedan because that’s usually the window for a car to still have enough newness to it, while offering rock-bottom prices. The reality, however, is that any recent 300 V-8-equipped model is a killer deal that, for the most part, can be had for $30,000 or less. In 2025, $30,000 gets you some brand-new basic transportation with mediocre performance, but on the used market, the Chrysler 300 brings luxe ferocity for the same amount. In 2021 and 2022, there was no 300C, with the top trim V-8 being the 300S, but they are all the same cars that look great and go fast.
2019–2023 Chrysler 300 Average Used Values
- 2019: $23,235
- 2020: $28,035
- 2021: $29,048
- 2022: $30,623
- 2023: $43,710
Again, the Chrysler 300C doesn’t get enough credit, with much of the automotive press referring to it as “near luxury.” That’s nonsense, because it has the fit and finish of a luxury sedan, and backs that up with an upscale level of performance. The other thing that seems to be missing from the conversation is the 300’s elegant, yet aggressive styling. The German sedans have some fairly generic style, and the Cadillac CT cars are actually kind of weird-looking, but the 300 is classy, sexy, and most importantly, unique. With a lot of cars, the only way you can tell them apart is from the grille emblem, but the Chrysler 300 stands apart, which is another reason why it’s the top pick for a used V-8 sedan.