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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  Luxury Bang for the Buck - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Joseph - April 25 - 8:48 pm

  This is the 3rd Chrys weve owned and the best. We both are in our 50s and the "step" in & out is great.. performance, ride, comfort is purely Luxury. We got the Touring, with the Spring Special. Grandkids Love the 8 in DVD Screen. Love the styling and handling on the highway especially with the 19 in. wheels a Classy "Car". Chrysler needs to rethink doing away with this vehicle after 2009. VERY Underrated. Whats a Chrysler Man do...

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  Terrific Ride!!! - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Satisfied_Owner - April 25 - 7:09 am

  I love this car. It looks great and handles well in all types of weather. Ive driven on ice and snow, wet roads and black ice. It still handles like a dream. The car is easy to enter and exit, making it perfect for me to take my parents with me and still haul groceries and purchases. The steering wheel controls are so easy to use and keep my hands on the wheel. The front seats adjust to the most comfortable position easily. The back seats fold down to allow me to move bigger objects easily. What can I say - I love my car!!!

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  Transmission - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By trombone - April 24 - 6:24 pm

  If you buy one, be sure to ask or have the Torque converter checked because there have been many replaced (including mine) in this vehicle, which I found out after the fact. The vehicle would start shuttering in the rear going up hills and they found out the TQ was the culprit. A new one fixes it, but can be spendy if no warranty. Otherwise its an awesome vehicle that I love driving!

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  Love It - 2008 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Zoom - April 24 - 3:38 pm

  Love the design, very comfortable for a two seater. Loads of trunk space (for a 2 seater). Can easily get two golf bags and weekends worth of gear in it. Not a drag racer but has plenty of giddy-up. Reasonable cost after good discount. If you love it, keep it since the resale value is almost nothing.

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  Im in Luv - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By I Love "BIG BEN" - April 24 - 3:21 pm

  I love my 300..Ive previously owed a Chevy Impala and i really dont miss the power of the Impala, because my 300 give me that same power. I have 3 children, one of which is in a car seat and they fit in my car comfortably! My son love the car he says he feel like a king because the seats are so high.

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  Went from Avalon to 300C AWD - Wow - 2008 Chrysler 300
  By Robert - April 24 - 1:54 pm

  Had an 96 Avalon & needed new car. Looked at Avalon and 300C. Bought 300C AWD and never looked back. Best decision we ever made! Avalon was NOT the trouble free car made out to be. Took 300C delivery in October, traveled to Fl. in Jan and to the West in Feb. What a road machine!! Went up Interstate mountain roads full 70 mph without any transmission shifting. Never had any vehicle do that. Engine would simply go from 4 cyl to 8. No effort making the climb. Hit snow in some high elev and the AWD had us going when others were having all kinds of fun. Did 70 mph on the level running on 4 cyl! This car brings back the pleasure of driving. Had forgotten how great driving could be.

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  Great car - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By s riley - April 24 - 10:22 am

  I have had this car for 6 years now. Absolutely love it. Cant fault it. No major costs incurred and good mileage considering its over 6 years old now. I live in Erie PA where we get LOTS of snow. Car handles the slippery roads well. I hope to have it for many more years! Possibly forever - I would hate to part with it.

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  Original and has class. - 2008 Chrysler Aspen
  By jean - April 22 - 11:05 pm

  Just got our SUV 5 days ago, Im so proud because its classy to drive it, unlike gmc Yukon or Chevy SUVs, youll see them everywhere, its like girls wearing the same style of dress in the party. Aspen is great...

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  Best Car Ive Ever Owned - 2002 Chrysler Concorde
  By Great Car - April 22 - 4:57 pm

  I have owned Cadillacs for the previous 12 years, but bought a Chrysler for better gas mileage. I couldnt be happier with my Concorde Limited. I put 36k a year on it and I have had no problems. It has every option I was used to in my caddy and has held up 10x better. I would highly recommend this car to anyone!!!

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  Chryslers Best Kept Secret - 2008 Chrysler Aspen
  By Linda - April 21 - 7:28 am

  After 6 months of researching all of the crossovers, I stumbled upon this great find. My previous car was an Expedition rode like a truck. This is a smooth, comfortable, classy vehicle. All the bells and whistles you can ask for and absolutely affordable. Plenty of leg/head room for adults comfort measures for the kids. Navigation system and media center is a great perk! Able to download CDs to hard drive and eliminate clutter in the car. Looking forward to taking it on long trips!