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:

• 

  bought 1 wish I had not - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By kahuhn - September 15 - 10:00 am

  Car in shop at least 6 times within 5 months. Vibration in steering wheel, pulling to left while driving, pulling to right when braking. Rotors needed replaced at only 6000 mi. car still having same issues,brakes wearing uneven. Research forums before purchasing, seems Chrysler cars/suv/minivans all having similar problems with brakes.

• 

  A good deal, but nothing to brag about - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Italian Capricorn - September 12 - 1:50 am

  It is not an economy car. I purchased it for my son, who just got his drivers license. The back seats can be removed, which is a plus when a teenager is driving the car. Studies show that the collisions occurs when a number of teenagers are in the same car. Reducing that number to only a driver and a passenger reduces the risk.

• 

  A Future Classic - 2000 Chrysler Concorde
  By johnG - September 6 - 12:43 pm

  This vehicle has had no motor or drivetrain problems. Two electric window problems and twice the front transmission cooler lines had to be replaced. Car still looks great with regular washing and annual polishing. Mobil 1 used since bought -7500 mile oil and filter changes. Hope to get 200,000 miles from car.

• 

  Pacifica Update after 8 months - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Abraham Miller - September 4 - 2:38 pm

  The driver seat height adjustment was deficient for short people (needed a cushion). Required an expensive after market window tinting because of glare, and heat through all windows. Dealer charge for tinting windows excessive (got the tinting done at less than half the dealers charge). Never needed such a tint on my trade in 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT, and neither was there any problem with the driver seat height adjustment on latter vehicle. I went thru USAA for an extended warantee which was half the price that the dealership offered. I somehow feel the dealership has no interest in accommodating me, because I paid cash. After 8 months of use, we are more than happy with our Chrysler Pacificas performance, and durability.

• 

  This is a good find! - 1995 Chrysler LHS
  By Gary - September 3 - 12:49 pm

  Just bought this car with 89,000 miles. The kids love the cushy roomy interior. I like the Infinity sound system! The transmission was replaced and the car idles roughly (bounces alot). I will address that easily (I hope)..Otherwise for $700 this one cant be beat...so far so good. Yes the trunk is big enough to hold a ton! Doesnt have mush power for a big car. But given the $3.00/gallon gas prices I am not complaining about the 6 cylinders.

• 

  I love it - 2001 Chrysler Voyager
  By Imran - August 31 - 7:27 pm

  I have Voyager for the last four years. Its very comfortable and steering handling are exceptionally good. I realized it when I bought Honda Civic in 2002

• 

  Lots of fun. - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By denver - August 21 - 10:00 am

  I dont know what all the talk about lack of power people are talking about.I just purchased the dream cruiser for my wife and we love it! After test driving alot of different cars we found that the 215hp turbo has alot of get up and go.The ride is fun and smooth,quiet.

• 

  Great Car - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Scott - August 17 - 6:52 pm

  We love our Sebring! I am 64" and fit in it with lots of room and the baby seat for my daughter has plenty of room in the back as well. It handles good and has a great sound system. The 6 has good power and it has a smooth ride.

• 

  bad wheels - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By Dougs - August 17 - 4:27 pm

  Other than continuous trouble with wheels, there are no other signficant problems. 3 wheels have needed to be replaced due to cracking, which results in continuous leeking of tires. Also, lines of sight are generally poor.

• 

  300M - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By charger srt8 - August 15 - 7:09 pm

  Very nice and stylish car. I have bought the 2004 300m special sedan and there were no warranty problems. It was very luxurious with the power sunroof, leather seats etc. It looks nice at the front and the interior but makes a lot of noise. We have almost 20,000 km on it had no trubles to drive it.