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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  PT Cruiser - Excellent To Own - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Shawn - August 5 - 1:56 am

  Our PT Cruiser was purchased new in 2002 and has been a blast to own as a daily driver. My parents even bought a PT Turbo. The design and build quality are first rate. People still stop me today and complement how attractive it is. The interior has loads of room and due to the multi-configurations of the seating can haul larger loads than expected. It is a mini, fuel efficient, SUV. The back seat height makes it comfortable for rear passengers to the extent that it is the preferred lunch transport for colleagues - and they are driving BMW 5 Series. I would recommend it to anyone seeking a well built, stylish, fun to drive alternative to the boring econoboxes (Civic, Scion, VW).

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  Stay away from the car!!! - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Klevrgirl - August 4 - 6:26 pm

  I have never written a review before, but am so upset with this car I chose to share with others so they can avoid the $ trap of owning this vehicle. First, the whole top end needed to be replaced after it started overheating repeatedly. Then the radiator hose kept dislodging due to 3 motor mounts which were broken. Then the air conditioning went out, and still isnt blowing correctly. Now?? It has the ABS sensors (all 4) being replaced, and I was told it may be more than that... Total cost?? with the extended drive train warranty?? Thousands... not to mention it is guaranteed to fail on you when you need it the most. Tow charges above and beyond AAA??--hundreds. I am stuck with a lemon.

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  love my 300c - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By richard watson - August 4 - 3:13 pm

  in the nine months that i have owned it i have had no problems except for trying to learn how to operate all the gadgets and dodads,the only thing i might complain about is mph and i knew mhat i 3was getting when i bough it

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  We love it! - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By pk - August 3 - 10:20 pm

  Weve had the Limited Pacifica for about 6 weeks and have put about 3,000 miles and we all love it! The front seats are super comfortable and feels like a luxury car. Both my husband and I love the drive. The van feels very solid, no rattling at all. We did a very extended test drive on our van to make sure of this because of some of the reviews Ive read. No issues. I would agree that the second row seats are not quite as comfortable the Honda or the Toyota. Our kids dont seem to notice or mind and we love the stow and go option. That was a huge factor for us and I have used it multiple times. Actually our kids like the middle row stowed and sit in the 3rd row. Ive seen multiple folks mention the lack of 3rd row TVs. Every kid can see a screen. Also there are USB jacks in the rear for iPads, you could always but iPad/kindle holders behind each seat if you wanted. We love they van!

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  Gas Mileage - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Kiddles - August 3 - 6:25 pm

  I recently bought a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica under the impression from the dealers information that around town, the car gets 17 mpg and 22 on highway. I found by tracking that Im only getting 13-14 mpg. When I questioned the dealer, they said it was a rough estimate. To me, 15-16 would be a rough estimate.

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  250,000 miles - 2000 Chrysler Voyager
  By R Villarreal - August 3 - 1:16 am

  I bought mine with over 200,000 and it now has over 250,000 miles. It still runs great but I needed to replace some parts. Water pump, fuel pump, radiator, thermostat, and tires. Engine, transmission, and body are still in great shape, but crossing my fingers. Brought it for $1,000.00. Best car I ever brought for the money. Previous owner took very good care of it.

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  Chrysler 200 not good if you want to drive - 2016 Chrysler 200
  By Richard - August 2 - 7:29 pm

  This is a great car if you like having a car that will at random not want to start because it thinks something is wrong with the brakes. It is also a good find if you like taking the car to the dealer 4 times in 4 months and them having the car for 3 weeks of the 4 months you had it.

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  I Miss My Convertible Already!! - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By crazykatiemae - August 1 - 1:22 pm

  I loved my Sebring convertible! Most reliable little care Ive had! Owned her for 2 years and just sold so I could buy something that is a tad more WI winter friendly! Loved dropping the top on my hour commute home from work after a long day! Made for several fun road trips over summer! Never had a problem with it other than the air condition and heat didnt always work when I wanted them too and I had to chase the boot down the highway a few times...

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  AWESOME! Everyone compliments! - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By LINDSAY - July 31 - 5:51 pm

  This car is so much fun to drive. The spoiler, which is similar to the Porsche, just makes the car! Im a 20 year old student... this car is perfect for me. You tend to see older people driving them... for what reason I have no idea. This car is definitely for younger women!! Its stylish, sexy, reliable (except the darn cup holder), and fun! I will never sell this car! It is irreplaceable due to the fact that Mercedes will no longer take part in the make of this car!

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  My 300M - 248,849 miles same eng and trns. - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By Ray K - July 31 - 10:20 am

  I have put 248,849 miles on my 300M, still has the original engine and transmission. I have to say I did keep up with the oil changes, most of my driving was highway driving for about 100 per day. The 300M has served me well. The problems I have had with the car was that all 4 of the automatic door locks needed to be replaced, warranty handled the cost of 2 and I footed the cost for the other 2. I even tried to get them to replace the last 2 before the door locks failed and the warranty ran out but no luck. Also the air-conditioner required about 1,000 dollars of work to get fix after 7 years. If those items didnt go wrong I may have gotten another. Surprise, but Im driving a Prius now.