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Despite its departure from the scene, the Chrysler 300 SRT8 remains one of the most affordable luxury muscle sedans out there.

In 2005, Chrysler introduced the 300 SRT8, a leather-lined muscle car and performance-oriented version of the base 300 aimed squarely at Cadillac's STS-V and the CTS-V. Following its base sibling, the Chrysler 300 SRT8 made a splash and soon rose to the top of the list of the most sort-after sedans of its time.

It's easy to understand why it was such a big deal in retrospect. The styling of the 300C oozes a vibe that’s rarely seen in American high-end vehicles. In addition, it possessed a desirable rear-drive configuration and, of course, a 425-horsepower 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine under the hood. The preceding generation of Chryslers, with their front drives and V6 engines, were nothing like the high-performance SRT8.

While the SRT8 muscle sedan outperformed its competitors, it slowly faded away when SRT entirely focused on establishing Dodge as the performance arm of the Fiat-Chrysler empire. The 2015 model year saw major updates for all the LX platform cars, which included the Chrysler 300C, Dodge Charger, and the Dodge Challenger. But sadly, this was the end of the line for the 300 SRT8.

Despite its departure from the scene, the Chrysler 300 SRT8 remains one of the most affordable luxury muscle sedans out there. Here are some reasons why you should consider adding a Chrysler 300 SRT8 to your collection.

Related: Why We Are Excited About The Most Powerful And Final Chrysler 300C

While many premium vehicles pamper their owners with luxury, comfort, and convenience features, the majority of them appear to lack the essence of a true performance vehicle, which is more horsepower, more torque, stronger brakes, and more. Nowadays, you practically can't obtain all of those features without spending more than $100,000. The best thing about the Chrysler 300 SRT8 is that it smoothly combined all of these performance and luxury features.

The standard 5.7-liter Hemi provided the 300C with ample power to match its muscular appearance. Although the market admired the engine, things got a lot more interesting when Chrysler unveiled the 300C SRT-8 with a larger 6.1-liter HEMI V8 with 425 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft of torque on tap. Later, Chrysler upgraded the powertrain with a 6.4-liter 392 HEMI V8 – the same powerplant in the Dodge Charger SRT models, as well as potent Brembo brakes and more aggressive suspension tuning like its Dodge sibling.

Making around 470 hp and 470 lb.-ft of torque with the newer engine, the Chrysler 300 SRT8 goes from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, and it could complete the quarter mile in exactly 13 seconds. The figures nearly match the Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE or the Ford Mustang GT. The car's only flaw was its Mercedes-sourced 5-speed automatic with AutoStick®, although performance was excellent for the time. For a smoother drive, the SRT8 has sophisticated adaptive dampers. One unique feature is the launch control, which allows you to rev the engine to 1825 RPM before taking off.

RELATED: The HEMI-Powered 2023 Chrysler 300C Is The Last Of Its Kind

From the start, the 300 SRT8 resembled the base-model V-6-powered 300, with its huge, unique grille and beautiful headlamps. While the Chrysler 300 underwent a considerable overhaul for the 2011 model year, along with numerous improvements all around, the SRT8 also returned to the spotlight with even more amazing performance features, such as the aggressive front and rear ends, a bigger set of 20" wheels, and tires to help fill out its huge fenders. It's a car that still looks fantastic today despite its age.

Performance-wise, the 300C SRT8 performed admirably. It was never going to be a quick sports sedan because of its weight and size, but it had the feel of an Americanized version of a powerful German muscle car, right down to the LX platform's rear suspension, adapted from a Mercedes.

As a high-end trim level in the lineup, the SRT8 offers the ultimate in luxury, with high-quality materials throughout the cabin and leather seats. It also features a premium infotainment system with standard navigation.

Pricing for the 2006 - 2010 Chrysler 300C SRT8 models ranges from $12,000 through $41,000, depending on mileage and condition, which is an excellent price range for anyone looking for a performance-oriented alternative to the Chrysler 300.

The Chrysler 300C SRT8 automobiles from 2006 to 2010 continue to have a large aftermarket following. You have so many options for customizing your 300C SRT8 to your liking that you'd be hard-pressed to find another one like it. The aftermarket also allows for some significant power upgrades to the first-generation 6.1-liter HEMI V8 at a cost that is less than that of some newer models.

RELATED: Here's Why We Disagree With Top Gear's Verdict On The Chrysler 300C

Chrysler made the 300 SRT8 from 2012 to 2014, and this performance car is currently out of production. There were rumors that the SRT8 would reappear in 2016, but it never came to pass. Because Dodge now owns the SRT nameplate, we're not sure if the SRT8 will make an appearance anytime soon. But even if it doesn't happen, the SRT8 will almost surely become a future classic due to its distinctiveness.

FCA quadrupled down on performance in the years since the 300C SRT-8 left the scene, providing Hellcats, Demons, Widebodies, and Redeyes. We’ve even seen supercharged Hemis in Jeep SUVs. We don't know what the future holds for the Chrysler 300 or the LX platform in general at this time, but let's hope the idea of a high-performance Hemi-powered muscle sedan in a luxurious package hasn't been completely abandoned.

In the meantime, we think the Chrysler 300 SRT8 is an ideal sedan for anyone who wants to get a taste of high performance and luxury at a fraction of the price of a more luxurious or exotic sports car.

Wilfred Nkhwazi is a screenwriter, actor, and sports car enthusiast from Blantyre, Malawi. He has written 2 feature films and a thriller trilogy. Wilfred is pursuing an Electric Car Technology program and spends a lot of his time writing for hotcars.com, penning down fast whips, celebrity collections, and everything else in-between. When he isn't writing, he loves to take long drives around the city, make music, and drink hot chocolate.