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:

• 

  Full Size SUV or Mini Van? - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By GSL - April 12 - 9:13 am

  We have 3 kids. Two require Throne car seats, our third is now the size of a small adult. We needed a car to fit all 5 us so we needed a 3rd seat. I researched all midsize SUVs with 3rd row seating. No 3rd row seat was functional or comfortable and all are hard to get to. We looked at larger SUVs (Yukon, Expedition, Tahoe). A bit to large for my wife & 200-250 a month on gas alone - uh no. A small vanity issue kept us out of minivans hence the Pacifica. Great so far. NICE style bells & whistles, all wheel drive is great (we did purchase the most comprehensive ext. warranty to cover these bells and whistles up to 100,000 miles). Great use of interior space. Working accessible 3rd row

• 

  Love it with 2 exceptions - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Wayne - April 11 - 12:00 pm

  Bought it for looks and cheap transportation. Satisfied with looks and roominess, not with gas mileage. Averaged 27 on a 2100 mile trip, expected much better from a 4 cyl. Also, the horn sticks. Had it repaired while under warranty. Lasted about 3 months - still sticks. Reading other reviews, seems like a inherent problem, but Ill live with it. All things considered, yeah, Id buy another one.

• 

  Just awesome - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By ugetcaughtupinthe - April 10 - 4:56 pm

  I love this car. I have tons of fun driving it on the highway, but the real rush is on country back roads. The car hugs the road. I drive hard and fast, and I almost never hear the tires (especially over the more than ample stereo). The wing that comes up at around 60 mph lets me know that I might want to back off the accelerator, but I usually dont. Its interior is small, but I mean come on look at the car. The controls are difficult to figure out, but easy to use, and there is a cup holder hidden in the center console. The vehicle isnt that bad in the snow and ice either (it has a winter mode, but dont try busting through snow drifts). Overall, its a steal for any true 2 seater.

• 

  A fast Cruiser - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Peter, Paul and Mary - April 9 - 10:00 am

  We already liked the Ltd, but this one is the best. It has all the versatility and room advantages of a mini- van/SUV/wagon (except a third row of seats which is useless anyway) and performs like a sports car (~7 seconds for 0-60 mph).

• 

  I love this car - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By mclaura - April 8 - 5:15 pm

  Im amazed at the problems I see on the reviews. I bought this car brand new, with 7 miles on it, and have had no problems whatsoever. It now has 54,000 miles, and I havent even had to change the battery or the brakes. Everything is running great. I honestly cant find a car on the road that Id rather have. Plus, even though the car is six- years old, I still get compliments on it regularly.

• 

  Great Car - 1999 Chrysler Concorde
  By mal666 - April 8 - 10:13 am

  I have a 99 Concorde with 103,000 miles now. Its been a reliable car very luxurious for the money besides 1 starter and 1 ac condenser. No problems at all. If you are thinking on buying one of this cars smart decision.

• 

  Great car!! - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By bbillnana2 - April 7 - 6:36 pm

  The new 5 seater is great! You have all the comfort of a wagon/SUV, but with a sleek design. Drives excellent, plenty of cargo space, and looks cool!! I give this car an A+!!

• 

  Love This Vehicle! - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By JuliaL. - April 6 - 10:30 pm

  I bought this vehicle slightly used in 2006 and have not a single regret! I have three children and the space is perfect, not to big or small. The gas mileage is great, I use synthetic oil. This vehicle is a dream for a single mom like myself, very reliable. Not a problem, not a complaint here!

• 

  Crossfire Crazy - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Taylor - April 6 - 7:27 am

  Handles great. Easy to open doors. We were able to purchase an extended warranty that was relatively inexpensive. When we drive this it is an eye-catcher. It is different from the other cars in the school parking lot. Just what we wanted.

• 

  driving in comfort - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Lourdes Lazy - April 5 - 5:50 pm

  I find the Pacifica a fun and comfortable to drive. The leather seats are very nice.