Overview & Reviews

Chrysler is generally considered part of the Big Three, a title that refers to the traditional triumvirate of domestic automakers. The current accuracy of this classification is open for debate, but there's no debating the fact that Chrysler has experienced a revival of sorts over the past few years.

Chrysler Corporation was founded in 1925 by Walter P. Chrysler, a noted machinist; he'd purchased the Maxwell Motor Corporation of Detroit and used it as the foundation for his new company. The automaker quickly earned a reputation for advanced engineering. In 1928, Chrysler Corporation expanded with the purchase of Dodge and the creation of the DeSoto and Plymouth divisions.

The 1930s saw Chrysler boldly looking toward the future with the introduction of its revolutionary Airflow. Powered by a front-mounted inline-8, the car was one of the first to be designed with aerodynamics in mind, and featured swooping lines and a prominent grille. Perhaps a bit too ahead of its time, the Airflow was a flop with the public. Chrysler was able to survive the lean years of the Depression thanks to strong sales of its entry-level Dodge and Plymouth brands, whose vehicles boasted more traditional designs and much lower price tags.

Chrysler shined postwar. For a period in the late 1940s, it even surpassed Ford as the No. 2 U.S. automaker. The company's storied "Hemi" V8 engine debuted in 1951. Offering 180 horsepower, it was a significant improvement over Chrysler's previous 135-hp V8. The Hemi engine was meant to trounce the V8 offered by Cadillac, Chrysler's rival, and it kick-started Detroit's horsepower race of the 1950s and '60s. The '50s also saw the debut of treasured Chrysler classics like the handsome Town and Country and the sleek 300C.

By 1961, Chrysler had trimmed its line of brands by dropping the DeSoto nameplate. New technologies were also afoot, such as unibody construction (Chrysler was the first of the Big Three to introduce it) and the replacement of generators with alternators for a car's charging system. In the latter half of the '60s, Chrysler was heavily involved with NASCAR and producing performance-oriented cars.

At the same time, however, dark clouds were gathering. As with other domestic automakers, the 1970s proved to be a difficult decade due to the oil crisis, new government regulations and changing consumer tastes. A costly and ineffective overseas expansion further hurt the company's bottom line. By the late '70s, the company was in such financial disarray that it petitioned the government for $1.5 billion in loan guarantees to save it from bankruptcy.

Thanks to impressive public campaigning by then-chairman Lee Iacocca, the debut of the well-received K-car platform and the creation of the modern minivan, sales had improved dramatically by the mid-'80s. The government's loan was paid off seven years early. The picture further brightened in the late 1980s with Chrysler's purchase of American Motors Corporation (which netted the company the Jeep brand) and a joint venture with Mitsubishi known as Diamond Star Motors.

Success continued through the early 1990s. In 1998, German-based Daimler-Benz merged with Chrysler to form DaimlerChrysler. At the time, this deal was presented as a merger of equals. But it quickly became apparent that it was more of a purchase, with Daimler being the dominant partner.

Less than a decade later, that merger was no longer, as Daimler sold Chrysler (and Dodge) to a private equity firm in 2007. However, that merger had borne some worthwhile fruit, most notably in the form of the Chrysler 300 full-size sedan. The latter shared some chassis components with an older Mercedes-Benz E-Class platform.

As such, the 300 was a highlight for Chrysler that had a pleasingly solid feel to its driving dynamics that was further sweetened via an available powerful V8 engine. But soon after the split, America's economy slid into recession. Due to poor sales and debt, Chrysler had to declare bankruptcy and the federal government intervened with bailout loans. Eventually Chrysler came under control of Italy's Fiat.

Today, the lineup has been pared down to a pair of sedans, a convertible and a minivan. However, after years of having lackluster entries in the very important midsize car category, Chrysler made major improvements in the performance, design and quality of its midsize sedan entry, the 200. The latest 300 also stands as a prime choice for a premium full-size sedan. Still, it remains to be seen as to whether this and future product releases will be enough to restore the company to its former glory.

User Reviews:

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  Great Car - 2012 Chrysler 200
  By Terrence M Healy - January 22 - 10:33 am

  This has a Hyundai 2.4 Liter 4 cylinder Really good motor and a Hyundai 6 speed transmission. Run synthetic, do the maintenance and this car will go 400k

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  Good valued car, eye catcher/sleeper - 2013 Chrysler 300
  By DJ - January 19 - 4:35 pm

  The 6.4 SRT-8 is a great car if you are into the tech age, modern looks with an attitude. cant beat the car for overall function and style.Can be upgraded electronically at the dealership for performance and/or driving experiences/ conveniences. Better gas mileage than a 6 cylinder Caravan and a lot of other "ECO" branded vehicles. The car will have the power to pass just about anything in normal or heavy traffic especially on the tight distances on two lane roads. The downfall: not much leg room in the rear if your driver is more than 6 and Watch for hydroplaning with stock tires. Launch Control is touchy and aborts unless on a perfect and flat surface, otherwise get ready for a wonderful rear tire smokey show while impressive it cuts the 1/4 mile and 0-60 time to about 12.5 quarter mile and 4.3 for a 0-60 with junky stock tires, get good tires and this car will be with the big leagues at the time trap. For older people this car may be too much to hang on to in Track Mode while on the normal road. 170 MPH seems like a cruising 80 MPH in this fine ride.And this is where you leave your neighbor (who had to go get a raise at work to own a Buick), you can pass him up and leave him far behind, and probably pump the same amount of gas as he does. You just get there first with a lot more flash ! This car never gets compared to a Buick unless you have the 3.6L then by chance... and even then just MAYBE.

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  Love my Jazz Blue 300C - 2014 Chrysler 300
  By Craig Smith - January 13 - 5:50 am

  I purchased this car new for 30k, and it is one of the best vehicles I ever owned and I have owned many.

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  2015 300s SuperCar - 2015 Chrysler 300
  By Douglas Graves - January 8 - 12:49 am

  Just to find the best deal they can and run for the dealer. Have been looking for a quality vehicle with solid exterior styling and the high end finishes found in the 300S. I have been a long time Dodge/Chrysler driver and can say for sure that through the whole driving lineup this one is by far the best I have owned and could not be happier.

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  Perfect - 2008 Chrysler Crossfire
  By David - January 3 - 8:05 pm

  2008 Bright Silver Automatic/Nav. Built the last week of production.....paid less than 1/2 sticker price brand new in January 2009. Flawless after 7 years / 29,000 miles. Best buy of my life.....with possible exception of the $399.99 55 inch 4K TV I bought recently that came with a 4 year factory warranty.

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  From the BMW group to the Chrysler group - 2015 Chrysler 300
  By Bridget Bhim-Rao - January 3 - 2:09 am

  I test drove this 300C four months ago and was so impressed after driving its competitors I bought the beauty. The car offers luxury and style. Finger tip paddle shifters, along with the avionics and convenient placing of switches and displays makes this vehicle a pleasure to motor in. Driving I find relaxing and this 2015 300C does not disappoint. Great turning radius makes for ease in maneuvering this luxury car at a great price. To place the icing on the cake, Chrysler has been exemplary in its after sales commitment and service. A very satisfied customer.

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  One of the best cars I have ever owned !!!!!!! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Brother - December 29 - 11:08 am

  Treat her like family !!!!!!!

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  What a sleeper. - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Jamil - December 26 - 11:03 pm

  This car is amazing. So this is my third car and Im 21 so best of believe I race my srt6 ever now and then. I have beaten 2015 mustang gt, 2015 camaro ss, audi, 2014 dodge challenger and charger r/t and Im pretty sure down the line even more. This is a 10 going on11 year old car beating newer cars like its nothing. I really dont believe this car is really only putting out 330 hp and 310 torque. I know its a mercedes amg engine and there numbers are different but wow this car is beating 400 hp cars. My favorite part is it keeps pulling and pulling and I have gotten up to 160. I would never trade this car in and Im definitely going to do some mods later down the road but all I have to say is Im in love with this sleeper.

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  Amazing Performance - 2013 Chrysler 300
  By James L Peppers - December 22 - 10:25 pm

  Regular maintenance, I have been using synthetic oil since December 2013, have approximately 38,000 miles on it. Fuel mileage is great on road trip have average 38.9 per gallon. Om the average it is 24.9 city, and 35 highway. Uconnect work perfectly with my HTC M9, with caller ID and updating phone book. So far the car have been perfect for me 65 years old in Tallahassee.

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  Beautiful car!!! - 2015 Chrysler 200
  By Miguel M - December 16 - 11:28 pm

  I bought it is with 18 k miles and it has been running great! A lot of people like the car and it does well during snow in Utah. The v6 is great and pretty fast... And the AWD IS GREAT during long snow days.