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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  Love my Big SUV - 2008 Chrysler Aspen
  By Linda Krapish - June 19 - 1:48 pm

  I bought this vehicle for the safety of having a big car, not for the gas mileage. My family feels safe driving down the Interstate.

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  Amazing Sports Car - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Crossfire Trail - June 17 - 10:36 pm

  Granted, Chrysler only lent its name to this car for, without a doubt it is a thoroughbred. with a few performance modifications and a few changes here and there, you have a world class sports car. There is no doubt about who built this car, its German heritage shines through in performance and design. Simply stated, this car is absolutely fantastic from its brilliant skin to its impressive manners and a plush interior that isnt found in many cars 3 times its price. Im in love with motoring all over again.

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  Im in love!! - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By danyella3_21 - June 17 - 11:05 am

  Ive had my Pacifica for about 2 months and I absolutely LOVE it. The interior is huge and very comfortable. The seats all easily fold down for storage. I love the radio controls on the steering wheel..right behind it, in the perfect spot. Every seat has its own cup holder and air vents. I like the captain seats on the second row with the console in the middle. It rides 5-6 adults comfortably. The air bag in the front seat is cut on/off by weight, which is great for the 8-year- old that likes to ride in the front. Theres rubber in the bottom of the cup holders that pulls out, so its easy to clean messes! Dual air is great. Im seriously in love!

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  1000 miles and ..... - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By jammingjoe_2000 - June 16 - 8:50 am

  Amazing machine. rides fantastic. fun to drive. everyone who sees this care love it. Even my kids think it is cool. I love the 30mph to 80 mph performance. When you ask for power she delivers.

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  My X fire rocks - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By pimpinxfire - June 16 - 2:00 am

  This car is the best to come from Chrysler since the 300m, and i thank mercedes for helping in the design and performance of this car.

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  A Pleasure To Own - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Bernie Coffay - June 16 - 2:00 am

  The fact that this vehicle is the "first of a new breed" is what I enjoy about it most. I find it to be unique, yet very versitile and practical. It has the ride of a car, with the convenience of a van, and the performance of a truck. It is attractive (a definite eye catcher) yet it fills all the needs, anyone could have in a vehicle.

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  Fun and Lux Drive - 2006 Chrysler Crossfire
  By prof - June 12 - 10:39 pm

  Excellent comfort, fit, finish, and performance. Very cool looking and 21- 25 MPG. Solid car.

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  Great car to drive!! - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By Mike - June 11 - 4:35 pm

  I love driving my 300C AWD. I traded in my 2006 Charger Daytona in Go- Mango. I loved that car, and what a head turner it was! I traded for a Jeep commander Limited, which I just could not get used to. I prefer a car and the Jeep was so big and was a real gas guzzler with the HEMI. I traded after 6 weeks for a Chrysler 300C AWD that is completely loaded, including Nav. and backseat DVD, which my 7 yr.old grandson loved on a recent 650 mile road trip. This is a remarkable vehicle. The 300C in infernal red is also a head turner, but more sedate than the Daytona. I think it is more comfortable than the Charger, and while not the R/T it still has lots of power, and that great HEMI sound.

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  Best Car I have ever owned - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By budman - June 11 - 11:44 am

  I love this car! I have had it about a month and taken it on several trips. It drives great and gets over 24 MPG out on the highway.

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  Great Car! - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By Paul - June 11 - 10:08 am

  I love this car!! First American made car that I have purchased in quite some time. Love the looks, style, and performance. Everybody stops to look and is very impressed by the appearance. Love the roomy interior, large trunk space, and all the other features including automatic remote start, blue tooth technology, heated seats, etc. Great classy car!!