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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  Not bad for the price - 2000 Chrysler Sebring
  By cheyenne447 - April 25 - 11:33 am

  I had a few bugs that had to be worked out when I first bought the car. Thank goodness it was under warranty. I have had numerous problems with the rear defroster...the wire connectors keep coming undone. The top leaks, but the car is six years old now. I also had a problem with the transmission at 16,000 miles, but it was fixed quickly under warranty. All in all...you cant find a better convertible for the price.

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  Pacifica - Touring - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By DeeB - April 24 - 10:50 pm

  We were attracted to this vehicle because of its beauty. However, from the drivers seat, I could not reach out the window comfortably without undoing my seatbelt. The front is so compact, purses, bags, etc. are literally under your legs. I had trouble juding distance from not being able to see over the dash very well. The back row was general kept down for storage. However, if we suddenly needed space for another passenger, we had to unpack and lift the seats, which was very awkward. My daughter could not rest on long trips, because the seat would not recline all the way to sleep because of the back row being laid down for luggage.

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  Love the Car -Hate the Tires - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Graham Watson - April 24 - 9:18 pm

  We love our 2005C Hemi Sedan however on rough roads it rides hard and makes some noise in the rear end of the car. The tires have been rotated twice and are still wearing on edges badly at 18,000 miles- not in love with these Continental tires for ride or wear.

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  My Beatles-Mobile - 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By sgtpepper33 - April 24 - 6:13 pm

  Got this car for my sweet 16, and I love it! So fun to drive, a great starter car. Everyone told me that Pt Cruisers were for old people, but its surf blue color makes it very chic. Great to drive for long amounts of time and listen The Beatles in. :)

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  Very satisfied - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By johngoan - April 23 - 2:13 pm

  I really like the way the car hugs the road and the responsiveness of the steering system. Its no sludge at a red light either!

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  Reasonable value - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By Damisal - April 20 - 10:30 pm

  It is quite pleasant to drive for the sedate driver, but response with spirited driving leaves a lot to be desired. CD skips ocassionally with moderate road bumps. All in all a reasonable car for the price.

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  Love my 200 - 2016 Chrysler 200
  By Jason Wright - April 19 - 1:41 am

  This car seems to be hated bit I love my 2016 200 S. The 2.4 isnt the fastest but it delivers just enough power when you need it. The transmission holds its gears into high rpm upon acceleration with a nice sound. The looks of this car are fantastic and the interior layout is very well thought out. I got a steal on mine used with 15k on the clock for 15000 dollars. Id buy it again and again

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  Comfy plus mileage - 1999 Chrysler LHS
  By Lynn Wilt - April 17 - 9:34 am

  Car has had great reliability, except for electrical trouble w/ drivers side espress-down window feature. Mileage is still 27-28 on highway, low 20s in town. Trunk is huge. Fit & finish not good big gaps inside around doors, and door gaskets have needed re-glued. Pretty manueverable for a big car. Big blind spots to rear make backing out of parking a challenge.

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  Not overly impressed - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By yossarian - April 16 - 10:00 am

  The interior is filled with cheap, hard plastic and switchgear, which, IMO will probably start losing pieces and squeaking within 20k miles. At idle, the engine shakes the car. Engine and road noise are intrusive at all speeds. The ride was overly rough - - each small bump is met with a a jar and suspension noise. There is no steering feedback. I am worried that the 8-4 technology will, at the end of the day, ruin the engine (remember the Caddy 8-6-4?) If it really worked, why isnt Mercedes using it on their cars? The 300C competes well with Lincolns and Caddys, but Mercedes, BMW and Lexus are in an entirely different league.

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  Good car for the price - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By JIM.C - April 15 - 10:59 am

  About the only thing lacking with this car is the to soft ride when encountering bumps. Good power. Fair gas mileage, biggest back set in its class. Overall very nice looking car.