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The 2011 Chrysler 300C, with its vastly improved interior and engine, was judged "the best Chrysler sedan we've seen in decades," Consumer Reports said Wednesday.

David Champion, director of automobile testing for Consumer Reports, said the Chrysler 300C now ranks mid-pack among 10 premium or luxury sedans. Previously, it had been near the bottom of the segment.

"The whole car really impressed us. It only really has one downside: Fuel economy of just 18 m.p.g. in our testing," Champion told the Free Press. The Chrysler 300C scored an "excellent" overall road test score of 80 in Consumer Reports' latest tests of four upscale sedans, up from 64 for the 2010 model.

For complete article, see Consumer Reports 300C 

The "best Chrysler" Consumer Reports has tested in decades still ranks in the middle of the pack among the 10 they've evaluated in recent years, but it's a huge leg up for Chrysler, which just two years ago was struggling at the bottom of Consumer Reports' ratings lists.

Consumer Reports tested four upscale sedans in its most recent edition ? the Chrysler 300, Hyundai Genesis, Toyota Avalon, and the Acura TL. All four earned excellent scores.

But Consumer Reports hasn't been a big fan of Chrysler products in the past. In 2009, Chrysler and GM were the bottom two automakers in terms of reliability, according to the magazine. David Champion, the magazine's head of auto testing, told USA TODAY then that "Chrysler is a sad story." Their new products were missing the mark in terms of reliability testing and consumer appeal.

The new 300 is "the best Chrysler sedan we've seen in decades," the magazine writes.

For complete article, see AOL Autos Chrysler 300