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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  Best car I have owned!! - 1997 Chrysler Concorde
  By geogator - September 17 - 12:59 pm

  I have owned dozens of cars (BMW, Cadillac, Honda, Toyota, Valiant, New Yorker, etc.). This 160K miles car has been clearly the best riding, best performing, and most comfortable of the lot. It still gets 25-26 mpg on the interstate and more than 20 around town. Yes, I have had to maintain it, but it has paid me back with great service. My wife howls when I say new car. I guess we will drive it until it stops.

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  A fun car - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By H.Rahlke - September 17 - 12:16 pm

  Excellent ride, impressive accelaration, well worth the price !

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  worst vehicle made. - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By nick - September 17 - 7:02 am

  Car required 20 000$ in service over 2 years. Its hard to remember all of the problems, I havent had the car for two years now. I will give it a shot though, -tie rods three times, transfer case quit, heater quit ,glue on entire dash let go, steering rack, electric lift gate wouldnt work, tire pressure sensors never worked, computer in dash quit, ball joints twice in 50,000 km I owned the car for two years thank god I got rid of it, we literally couldnt keep it on the road. Simply the worst car I have ever owned. Will never buy a Dodge Chrysler again. Paid 45,000 car was worth 8000 two years later, awesome.

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  Personal Bang for the Buck - 2008 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Bob out West - September 16 - 12:50 pm

  Mercedes chasis (albeit older) and handbuilt coachwork with more art in its tail than 99% of the entirety of other cars on the road. This is entirely impossible for less than $50k, let alone the price at under $25k. My history includes a Jag, Tiger, Jensen, X 1/9, 2 Mustangs, CRT (manual) and more, and the fun/comfort quotient on this ride dwarfs them all. Some say that this is more of a boulivardier than a sports car, but it is rock solid, planted like an oak on the road, and goes like scat. Blind spot and rear view sounds bad, but after 1k driving it becomes second nature and unannoying. Cup holder is less than useless, Nav and radio both hopelessly outdated.

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  HEMI Power to go! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Eric - September 16 - 12:10 pm

  If you were turned off by Chrysler products back in the K-car days, its time to take another look. The new 300 series is the first significant product of the Dailmer-Chrysler merger that combines German engineering with Detroit muscle. Basically, you get a solid-feeling, quiet, roomy sports sedan with more zoom-zoom than those other guys.

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  Great Choice - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By baldy404 - September 16 - 11:09 am

  We love our 2008 Sebring Touring Sedan, the 4 cylinder engine is very responsive, with excellent fuel economy (34hwy/28 combined). With 5-Star crash ratings, stability control and side airbags, you cant buy a safer car! Handling in winter conditions was fantastic, the front wheel drive and stability control performed great. We also like the LIFETIME WARRANTY on the powertrain and plan to keep this car for ten years or more, what a fantastic value! Do yourself a favor and drive the Sebring and compare it to similar cars and I will be surprised if you dont buy the Sebring.

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  Srt - 2014 Chrysler 300
  By Bryn Jones - September 16 - 9:41 am

  If you can find one, get it!

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  Great car - 2009 Chrysler Sebring
  By STEVE - September 16 - 12:11 am

  Sebring is a great car rides nice, adequate power, nice looking interior, the light tan leather seats are wonderful! Exterior is also very nice, fuel mileage is ranging from 23 city to 33 hwy with 4 passengers and junk in the trunk. This is a great car.

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  Incredable car!!!!!! - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By Lingenfelter09 - September 15 - 10:35 pm

  I bought my car from an 80 year old lady who only drove the car a few times a month. When I got the car, it barely had 20,000 miles on it. The car itself ran a 9.8 on 1/4 mile. Ive never had a single problem with it. I found if I keep up with the tune ups and what not, the car will do anything I ask it too. Although I keep the car in a heated/air conditioned garage 90 percent of the time, it is one of the greatest cars I have ever owned. If youre looking to buy a fast, fun, and all around amazing car. Buy a Sebring.

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  Satisfied - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Dave - September 15 - 9:02 pm

  At 41000 miles, I give Chrysler the thumbs up for this one. This car has been fun to drive. The tires dont last long but that is a result of the tire melting 425 hp. The brakes also make this car great. The brembos really bring this heavy car to a halt. Overall a great vehicle.