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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  Its a Keeper - 2002 Chrysler Concorde
  By happyowner - May 28 - 7:38 pm

  This is my second Concorde. I like its style and my previous experience with the same model and my local dealership made me hardly consider any other car. Im never embarrassed to give someone a ride, always enjoy its comfort on long trips, yet get good enough gas mileage to drive by myself. Ill drive it to 200,000.

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  Great Car for the money - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By David - May 28 - 3:47 pm

  This is probably the finest car Ive ever owned. I have owned Cadillac, big Buicks, several Pontiacs, and this one tops them all. I traded a Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab (HEMI) because of gas mileage, and I am very happy I did. The mileage has been averaging in the mid-20s with the 3.5 L HO engine on a 35 mile one-way daily commute. Plenty of power, and good mileage too. Best of both worlds. The car rides and handles great, a true road car, but nimble around town as well. Lots of room inside and creature comforts galore. I absolutely love it!

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  Great SUV crossover - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Cindy - May 28 - 1:13 pm

  Its a fun car to drive. It handles well in snow. I like the idea of having a minivan size but a SUV look and handling features. Its comfortable to drive with lots of storage and plenty of sitting.

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  Go Get It - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Scott - May 28 - 5:06 am

  Im 7 feet tall and this is one of the few cars I fit in. Get a clue, GM and Ford!

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  Outstanding vehicle - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Demetrius - May 27 - 8:02 am

  I have not had any real problems out of the car since I bought it. I have only had some pinging from the engine and it turned out to be a failed valve. Other than that, it handles great, has enough power (if I wanted more then I would have bought the SRT- 8) and has a very comfortable ride. Outstanding reliable vehicle for the pricing.

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  Safe & Beautiful - 2008 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Sandi - May 26 - 12:47 pm

  We bought this car for its high safety rating. We are tall people (59 63") and can fit very comfortably in the front and second row seats. The gas mileage we get is not very good. This is our one disappointment. The extras (which came standard on this model) are outstanding.

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  Great Car - 1999 Chrysler LHS
  By Jesse - May 26 - 12:37 am

  My Chrysler LHS has been the best car I have ever had. I have had very minimal problems with this car. I bought this car used with 29,000 miles on it, now I have 115,000 miles. I have owned it for seven years and it still looks new.

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  Tons of fun! - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Cody - May 24 - 2:16 am

  This was absolutely the best car for the money. I was tired of family cars and wanted something that I didnt get asked time and time again to help move someone. This thing takes off like a scalded dog in fourth and fifth. Love it every time I take it on the highway.

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  my last car 2006 hemi - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By fred - May 23 - 3:13 pm

  luxury feel very fast on pick up. steers tight roomy yet it holds you in seat feels like a mercedes.

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  Great Vehicle Overall - 2007 Chrysler Aspen
  By Dave - May 23 - 8:33 am

  We bought a used 07, All options, Hemi, Nav, Remote Start, everything. I bought it in Atlanta, GA I live in Roanoke, VA. Trip home was good. 455 miles and got 21.2 mpg on the Hemi MDS engine. No complaints on gas. A vehicle this size! That’s good. It could have been better I suppose but I was on and off the gas, since I had a new toy! It has a smooth ride, very quiet. The Hemi climbs the mountains effortlessly. I was going 80 mph up the mountains at only 2000 rpm. It gets a lot of looks. The 20” chromes really set it off. The third row seat access is by far the easiest out there. The lever on the second row seat is so simple. Get the Hemi with MDS. No use for the Flex fuel, No 85oc here.