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:

• 

  2005 Pacifica the best - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By margie - June 3 - 1:16 pm

  I have been driving Chrysler products since I was 17 years old and am now 56, this should tell Chrysler how happy I am with their product. My family of four have always and will always drive a Chrysler. It is a shame that Chrysler will no longer be making this vehicle. Where is Chrysler head? Bring back Lee Iaccoca maybe he can make the big boys understand that this is what people want. This is a mid-size SUV and there is nothing else but the larger SUV-Aspen. Is Chrysler working along with the gas companies? For those of you with a Pacifica inform Chrysler not be stop making this vehicle.

• 

  great car so far - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By tazz - June 2 - 9:22 pm

  Car has less than 1000 miles on it and already getting 31 mpg hwy. Wow! Rides well, no road noise, plenty of power.

• 

  Absolutely Love it! - 2008 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Andrea - June 2 - 4:02 pm

  I was looking for something sexy to replace my Jeep Liberty and certainly found it in the Crossfire. Its gorgeous, fun, and gets much better gas mileage. Of course, it helped that the dealership knocked $12K off the list to sell it...and yes, it was brand new! Is it worth the list of $37K? No and thats why theyre discontinuing them. But, for $25K? Absolutely!

• 

  A Surprising Rental - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By RobW - June 1 - 6:56 pm

  While having some minor adjustments done on my new Concorde LXi, the dealer arranged a rental car for me. The 4-door Sebring was a surprise.....roomy, comfortable, solid, and quick (even though it was equipped with the 4-cylinder engine). If I was in the market for a mid-size sedan, this would be a front-runner in regard to value and performance.

• 

  Great SUV - 2008 Chrysler Aspen
  By MD Cain - June 1 - 8:16 am

  Got it in Light Sandstone and it looks awesome. Dont understand all the people who worship at the alter of " all Japanese Brands are great and all American Brands are junk ." We had a 2004 Durango and never had a minutes trouble with it. Like some of the other posters I dont understand why Chrysler doesnt promote it more. You see a lot of commercials about Fords voice recognition system but the My Gig unit blows that away and they never promote it! I know these vehicles are not selling well due to high gas prices but the upside for us is we got it for $10,300 off of MSRP. It ended up costing less than our Durango did 4 years ago which had way less features. Great vehicle.

• 

  Mercedes S430 to Chrysler 300 - Love It - 2008 Chrysler 300
  By Mercedes S to 300 - May 31 - 9:54 pm

  I own a Mercedes S430 that I drive as a personal vehicle and purchased the 300 Hemi, AWD as my company car. I have driven the car 12,000 miles in the last 4 months and love it. It is as comfortable as my Mercedes and has many of the same features. Had I owned the 300 prior to the Mercedes I would never have purchased the Mercedes. The 300 is just as much fun to drive, has the same comfort level and only lacks some rear seat leg room in comparison. This wont be my last 300 but this will be my last MB S430.

• 

  When cross country and loved it - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Roscommon Patrick - May 30 - 6:10 pm

  I took my convertible cross country,and it was a blast. I could cruise at 80-85 with no problem except for the police. I got decent economy driving at the higher speeds, and the handling was fantastic.I couldnt ask for a finer ride.

• 

  I would buy another one - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Stacy - May 30 - 12:10 pm

  I really like my Pacifica, on short and long excursions. The vehicle offers something for everyone. My 4 children can watch their favorite Movies and we can listen to audio tapes or the radio at the same time. The navigation systems has saved me more than once from driving around for two hours. I appreciat the automatic rear door lift when carrying heavy items. I purchased my SUV a year ago and still I am impressed. Handles tight corners well, seat warmers are a must. This SUV truly rides smooth and comfortable regardless of age. Trunk is small, i miss the under the seat storage but love the curtain airbags for safety.

• 

  First SUV - 2007 Chrysler Aspen
  By Jake - May 29 - 9:47 pm

  Bought this as a left-over new 2007 after looking at a Pacifica, and glad that this is what I chose. Highway miles with the 5.7 Hemi are between 21 and 23 MPG. Keeping the tach under 2000 rpm helps a lot. Towing is no problem recently towed a 6 x 12 U-Haul trailer loaded and still got 14 mpg. Towing a boat is like it isnt there. Comfort is great, the ride and handling are excellent. Fit and finish are excellent. Even with gas going through the roof, I dont see me trading down.

• 

  Fantastic Automobile - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Indiana Dave - May 28 - 9:41 pm

  Both my wife and I were attracted to this car because of its distinctive styling. After 2 years, we still think it looks great and love driving it. We considered a midsize but, in hindsight, the larger car was the right choice, especially with two boys 12 & 15. The 3.5 L engine provides plenty of power. I was concerned about getting rear wheel drive but the traction control performed magnificently in the Colorado snow, and it was snowy, this past Christmas. This car has definitely surpassed my expectations.