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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  I Love my 2001 Sebring - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By barbara - April 30 - 2:32 pm

  I Have owned my car for 7 years havent had any real problems with it currently have 104,000 miles, but I keep it well maintained with oil changes,and general maintenance, the one thing I dislike is the cup placement it is right in front of cd changer and I havent been able to use the Cd player due to a cd Jam, that happened when i put my cup in the holder.

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  best crossover ever - 2008 Chrysler Pacifica
  By mark times - April 30 - 8:10 am

  Well when I first went to the car lot I was looking for a Dodge or a Jeep because I thought a car like that wold be very hard to get to so when he told me that hey young men it is possible to get a crossover like that I was so happy he said that he so the light lite upon my face then I still said to myself that there no way in gods holy world that I could get a car with sleek body style and hard cover face and a banging grill with wood all over the place and with also comes with a tv and also comes with a navigation system and so much of room also to top it off it also comes with a sun roof I also like the way that the dashboard is made how goes around

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  Sweet - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By A.C. Lazzaro - April 29 - 4:26 am

  This car puts the fun into driving again... Its design sets it apart from anything on the road or parking lot.. Numerous compliments from Cadillac and BMW friends..Good package at a REASONABLE price in the signature series....

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  Sweet ride - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Real Nice - April 28 - 3:10 pm

  I purchased this car as my primary vehicle but I cant get my wife out of it, now her ML320 sits in the garage while we haggle over the 300 keys.

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  Great buy - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By RON - April 27 - 3:10 pm

  After test driving the following vehicles Dodge Charger, Chevy Malibu, Hyundai Sonata, Mercury Milan (twin to Ford Fusion), Nissan Altima, Mercury Sable, I decided on the Sebring. Reason: best ride for the money. More substantial with better drive and road handling than the Sonata, Milan or Altima. The Charger and Sable are the only ones that could compare to the Sebring. The Charger is very solid but more money and less MPG. The New Sebring introduced in 07 is far better than the old Sebring with improved ride and handling. I purchase the Limited with the four cylinder 2.4 L engine. Good power for a four banger and far less noise that the Altima.

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  Goodbye Minivan!! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Stacey Severson - April 26 - 8:52 pm

  I absolutely love it. I have only had it a week now but am so happy it works with our 2 kids and I no longer own a minivan which I hated. I never expected all the extras including the GPS, DVD, etc, but I only have one complaint, it makes me nervous when checking the blind spot on the drivers side. I hope that is no longer an issue on the newer models.

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  A FUN-TO-DRIVE, VERSATILE CAR - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By citygal57 - April 26 - 6:57 pm

  I purchased my 2004 PT Cruiser GT a year ago after an auto accident had totaled my 2001 Ford Escort (no great loss). I had driven one previously as a rental in Florida and fell in love with it. When I bought it a year ago, it was fully loaded, all chrome, leather interior, great sound system, automatic seats, sun roof, spoiler, etc. It was a one owner vehicle and had around 55,000 miles on it; I paid about $6,000 for it.

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  Cant find anything better - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Ginger - April 26 - 5:11 am

  I have been shopping for a new car for months and I dont think I will beat what I have. My 04 Sebring LX is roomy. Very easy on the eyes. Decent gas mileage. Has been very reliable. Comfortable ride. Affordable to own. Think Ill quit looking

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  Made in the USA - 2007 Chrysler Aspen
  By Its American Made! - April 25 - 10:37 pm

  This is a great SUV. My first was a Ford Explorer. I loved it. However when switching between the two for the past 9 months showed me what a great ride the Aspen is. Very smooth. Didnt buy it for the mpg... But, it isnt very good. IF you drive really slow, even on highway, 20 mpg is best. If you have hills, wind, to pass, etc the mpg drops to 16 quick...

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  Great! - 2000 Chrysler LHS
  By Corey Van Buren - April 25 - 10:25 pm

  I am the second owner of this car and it has been great. It currently has 185,000 miles. The fuel pump went out at 90K and I have replaced the front bearings but everything else on the car is fine. The body and the interior has held up great, it still sparkles.