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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  My 02 300M Special - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By Greg - August 8 - 10:55 pm

  This is the best Chrysler that I have owned. The car is solid and feels great at high speeds. Fuel consumption is very good for a car of its size. As a live an learn lesson, the newest Chrysler Corporation may want to look back at its front wheel drive platforms and manufacture cars that are both fun to drive and easier on gas.

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  2002 in distress - 2002 Chrysler Concorde
  By trisa - August 8 - 10:54 pm

  I have a 2002 Concorde LXI and I love it. Recently I was very disturbed to find that the part I need to fix my drivers side air bag is not in stock and possibly would be hard to find. This has made it difficult for me as I am at this time on vacation in Arizona and I live in Ontario Canada. So can you see what the problem is. I simply want to correct this situation before I head back another 3600 mile drive on the freeways. Seems to me that although my car is 7 years I am not to get the service and quality that Chrysler is always raving about. I just cant believe this is actually a problem. I have had through my business over 20 older cars and have never had a problem such as this.Help.

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  Jury not in yet! - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Zazz - August 8 - 2:00 am

  I wanted a PT the first time I saw one,but knew I couldnt go from a 200hp 6 cylinder to a 150hp 4, so I waited. Well after 2 years I got my turbo! Its a hoot to drive, but has been in for a belt replacement at 400 miles, and a new drivers seat is on order due to bad leather on the side bolster( cracked and wearing at 2000miles). Also I got about 12mpg from the first 7 tankfulls, but its up to about 16now. Thats around town with my foot in the turbo! So if it can staw out of the shop ill be one happy CRUISER!!!

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  Love our Pacifica Hybrid! - 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
  By Mike - August 7 - 12:58 am

  This vehicle has everything, it has great mileage, is comfortable, and handles well.

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  Great Value 2.7 v6 - 2009 Chrysler Sebring
  By Wally - August 6 - 9:05 pm

  There was not a touring 2.7 listed but that is what I got and what a good motor for the car. I cant believe the gas mileage I am getting, way better than listed. On the highway at 65 to 70 miles per hour I get 33 miles per gallon. It has all the bells and whistles, some I will never use. It is comfortable for my wife and me to travel in. The motor is responsive for getting on and off the freeway and passing. The gas mileage is reasonable and we are averaging 28 miles per gallon. The radio sound is excellent for a car. We both like it. I have has the undecarage done, rust inhibiters, cloth stain proofed and paint protected. Now the car must respond.

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  Kind a nice - 1996 Chrysler Concorde
  By jegolden - August 6 - 6:32 pm

  3.5l eats gas in town, but on highway its great. I had the computer system in the car figure out my gas mileage all the time driving pizzas. I saw 14mpg in town b-4. Leather seats were AWESOME and so was the sound system. Bought car for 2500, lost it to tranny failure 6 months into it that would have cost me 2000 to fix. Good scape metal now.

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  My Chrysler 300 Touring - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By foxylady5858 - August 6 - 10:00 am

  It is very comfortable and quiet, if going on a long trip you wouldnt get tired as there is alot of leg room both in the front and the back. It handles like a dream. If we were to buy another car later down the line it would certainly be another Chrysler 300 Touring.

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  JBHMI - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By jboron - August 6 - 10:00 am

  Averaged 24.5 miles per gallon on 2000 mile trip with 500lbs in the trunk on half of the trip. Performance and handling was excellent even with the extra weight. The best traveling car I have ever driven.

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  Wonderfull - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Gabi - August 6 - 10:00 am

  I like that car It looks like Bentley

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  Nice car - 1997 Chrysler Sebring
  By george7861 - August 5 - 10:52 am

  Even though the car is really a Mitsubishi Eclipse with a Chrysler body it is a nice sporty, fast car. It handles really good, mine has 140,000 miles on it and it starts better in the winter better than my neighbors VW.