5 Star Reviews for Chrysler

Overview & Reviews

Average Score

4.39/5 Average
7,767 Total Reviews
Make Overview:

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:

Showing 1001 through 1010 of 7,767.00
  • Great Option, Buy a Pacifica - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
    By -

    We purchased our Pacifica to replace my wifes VW Passat. With only 1 kid, and a growing family we needed something larger, but not as large as a mini van. Not quite to soccer mom status yet. The 4.0 L is a great engine with adequate power, and plenty of pep. 6sp transmission is very smooth. Handles great. The back hatch is almost exactly 48" inches wide (at its widest) I just put a sign in it the other day with all 4 back seats down, worked great. The one major draw back is backing up. There is a pretty big blind spot, and it takes some getting used to. Back up sensors would be helpful(didnt come with ours). My wife loves to drive it, we highly recommend this car! too bad no more after 08

  • Great Car! - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
    By -

    After many months of research and test drives we decided on the Pacifica Limited AWD. Am I ever happy with our choice. It drives and rides like a dream. The craftsmanship inside and out is impeccable. With all the goodies that came as standard equipment coupled with the optional packages, the price was very surprising. This is my 6th Chrysler. My 95 Concorde has 300,000 mi. on and is still going strong. Hopefully my Pacifica will give me the same kind of service!!

  • My PT Cruiser - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
    By -

    This is my everyday drive to work car. Mine is the five-speed stick wagon. The edmunds review does not do the standard engine justice when paired with the manual trans. It has more torque and off-the-line power than the 95 Neon I used to drive. This is a nice car to drive in most any traffic with the hydraulic clutch and a nice shifter feel. This is no hot-rod by any means but it is a nice, useful flexible car.

  • love it but!!! - 2005 Chrysler 300
    By -

    This car is awesome but it tends to pull to the right. I have had it in the shop and have been told there is nothing more to do. I took it somewhere else and they fixed it but it is starting to pull again. The style is beautiful. People look all the time. It really moves and handles well except for the pulling. I was told it is due to the hemi. Makes no sense to me. Beautiful classy car.

  • lincolns and cadillacs eat dust - 2006 Chrysler 300
    By -

    have always driven a cad or a lincoln until 4/05 when we purchased a 300C. in dec.06 we bought an SRT8. we were going to buy another Hemi. a salesman allowed us to drive the SRT8. we were sold at that point. "THE VERY BEST OF ALL THE CARS WE HAVE EVER OWNED.

  • Outstanding Convertible - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
    By -

    Purchased my first convertible 1 month ago and have covered over 1,000 miles. The 2.4 engine is quite and economical averaging 30 mpg (55% highway/45%city). Its got plenty of power for all around cruising. The interior is fantastic with easy to read gauges and very comfortable seats. The Sebring has been 100% reliable with every feature/option. Sirius radio and UConnect are wonderful and the 17" rims make the car standout. As mentioned in other reviews, this isnt a hot rod or a sports car - rather it is a solid frame with a comfortable ride & good handling competitive with any other mid sized car available today. I truly feel good about owning a Sebring convertible!

  • Incredible Vehicle - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
    By -

    Though we have not had this car very long, I can tell this is the best all around car we have had. We came off an Expedition Eddie B. to this car, and the space of the Pacifica its incredible. You must get in one to believe it. Interior and ride are just like a Mercedes Benz! The car is simply beautiful in and out, as well as comfortable and practical.

  • GREAT RIDE, Cant Hide! - 2005 Chrysler 300
    By -

    This car has it all! Great ride and look. I took it to a car show just a week after getting it and felt sorry for the vehicles that were parked next to me and overlooked as EVERYONE wanted to look at my new ride! After 4 months I still have folks checking it out as I enter a parking lot or even stopped at a light. (Ive had some folks turning the corner looking at my car and nearly miss the turn). The ride is great! on the highway little effort on passing and when it drops into the 4 cylinder mode you feel no diference in the ride or power. Give it the gas and no problem getting as much speed as you want. The interior is very plush with the real CA. wood.

  • MY 2006 CHRYSLER 300SRT8 - 2006 Chrysler 300
    By -

    This is an absolutely superb automobile: built with the highest quality and like a tank. Its power and torque are also fantastic, the design is magnificent. It has every luxury feature imaginable and more so: too long to list. Having carefully researched it is the best four door sedan on the American Market. It eats BMWS 3 and 5 series for breakfast. Even the vaunted M5 doesnt have its 420 lbft of torque. Yes there if often a hefty premium but its worth it!

  • Try it, youll like it - 2005 Chrysler 300
    By -

    Had my C since July. Handles great, fun to drive, excellent HVAC. It always feels great to drive this car. Look forward to it every time.

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