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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  Excellent Value - 2008 Chrysler Aspen
  By RJS - August 20 - 2:06 am

  The Aspen is a very smooth ride and very quite. This makes listening to the Sirius Satellite Radio even more enjoyable! To me the interior is more like a high end SUV. The plastic on the outside however gives this away. I am very happy and do not agree with the editorial. The second seat leg room is fair but the fold down seats in second roll makes more third row leg room.

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  Great Ride - 2009 Chrysler Sebring
  By Fast Ed - August 20 - 12:31 am

  I tested a number of cars including Camry, Accord, Ford Fusion, Merc Milano, Volvo S40,and a couple more, this was the smoothest quietest of all. Theres a couple minor blips in the paint, but car looks great, with lots of leg room in the front. After driving a Mountaineer for the last 7 years, its like riding in a much larger luxury car and feels like a much bigger car.

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  US-German Relations - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By HDReeves - August 18 - 10:00 am

  This car is definitely fun to drive, especially on winding roads. It has excellent lateral acceleration. It is a little slow in its straight aheas acceleration; there is a brief lag sudden acceleration while in motion. I have had the car since October, 2003, with no mechanical problems. There is not much storage, but plenty of cockpit room for sitting. If you are not planning on a lot of luggage, then this is a great way to get where you are going...or no where in particular, if you just want to have some fun.

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  04sebring - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By b10ant - August 18 - 10:00 am

  Bought my Sebring used with 1800 miles on it at a great value. Its been only a few weeks, but so far so good. Bought it due to job change and lots of increased miles, and had to get better gas mileage than with my Explorer. Im getting 25-26 mph, which works for me. And the styling is cool. Not much headroom, and the controls and console features arent readily within reach.

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  Fantastic Performance - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Dave P - August 18 - 10:00 am

  For the price tag of 34K, I could not find any better performance vehicle. The car has excellent acceleration and does well on both highway and in city driving. The looks great inside & out and the ride is extremely smooth.

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  A Dream - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By GooseLyne - August 17 - 8:38 pm

  Sole owner from 3 miles to recently rolling over 145000. Five years of ownership and all I have replaced is a EGR Valve last May and a rear speaker that I blew out myself. To compare this car to a Audi or Honda or Toyota is a huge mistake. They have no where near the same in-cab room and feeling of comfort on the surface of the road. The low-long body allows for tight turns and an excellent grab on the pavement. The small V6 is well enough for highway and in-town acceleration. There is no other car (under 30000 dollars) on the market with an average MPG of 25 to 28 and a presence on the road of captivating aesthetics and size that can swallow similarly priced sedans.

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  love my 2005 pacifica - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Susie91246 - August 16 - 11:03 pm

  I love my Pacifica. I have lots of cars including an MG, 69 Camero and an 84 Corvet loved them too but now with kids, this is the best vehicle possible. Wouldnt trade it for anything. the gas mileage could be better but thats the only complaint 18 around town.

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  Lemon - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Sue Martinez - August 16 - 4:47 pm

  Purchased new 07/06. Two months ago transmission seals had to be replaced, but it was under warranty which expired 07/06/09. 08/06/09 @ 26,000 miles key did not work, AAA could not start the car and it was towed in - "brain" dead and a lobotomy required. As warranty had run out I was quoted total of $4700 for computer replacement. It took a week to get the parts, and now Chryslers computer system is down so it cant be programmed. Also being charged $190 for second key. Good news is that now it is partially covered by warranty but my cost is still over $1500. Not happy.

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  I love the car - 2009 Chrysler Sebring
  By main - August 16 - 12:12 pm

  the moment I saw the car I loved it,I trade it with 1998 crown vic,the total was less than $14000. After I bought the cars,I read many many bad things and revies about it,but I found out non of them true,and its not fair for a good American made car. The warranty is unbelievable,life time on Engin and Transmition,gas mlg is more than great,the design is wonderful,I read some reviews suggested poor built quality,I dont know about that yet,the car is new now,but I am positive that many years to come will prove its not true either. Its a good car,warth what I paid for

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  300 C Fully Loaded - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Derwin Davis - August 16 - 1:33 am

  I traded my 430 E mercedes Benz 2000 for a fully loaded 300 C hemi. I saved approx $25,000 by purchasing an american made mercedes. The car is flawless will I purchase again Yes. The power,design and the roominess for a 6 FT 4" person is unbelievable for the price.The only problem is that dealers want you to pay sticker price with no negotations.