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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  fun car - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By rick - March 31 - 10:56 am

  i would sum this car up in one word- great. the car handles good, drives good, gets good gas mileage etc. we live in a mountain region and so far we are very pleased with this car.

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  Solid Performer - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By Len E - March 30 - 7:59 pm

  Bought new in 1999 and I couldnt be more pleased. I had to replace the door locks and power window motor like others here, but thats it - a total of about $600 in repair over 8 years. Drives great and Ive been impressed on mileage - 29+ in freeway driving with 4 adults and luggage. 22.5 in everyday city driving. If youre looking for a low cost family car, easy to maintain but fun to drive - this is it.

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  fun fun fun - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By pedals down - March 30 - 12:27 pm

  Car has been a blast to drive, get compliments all the time. And for what you pay for these now there is no comparison. Great car!

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  Whats with the ride height? - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By MoparFan - March 30 - 6:50 am

  Well built car, solid, quiet, smooth ride; however the RWD does have a better ride. Great interior, with all the right features, and excellent ergonomics. Still have not understood the reason behind the exaggrated ride height, its not necessary, as Audi, Mercedes, and BMW do not increase the static height of the car to add AWD. Also, the loss of chrome wheels on a more expensive version of the Hemi C. Even with the proverbial egg on the gas pedal, the mileage is extremely low (14.8 combined); hoping for improvement as the engine continues to break in.

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  Pacifica - A great SUV - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By r windorski - March 29 - 11:53 pm

  My 2004 Pacifica replaces a long line of SUVs that I previously owned! Its design, interior comfort and overall performance are great. I drive between Arizona and Minnesota annually and now look forward to our next trip! I encourage anyone looking for performance and interior comfort to consider a Pacifica! rw

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  Love my Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By dockerylaure - March 29 - 9:36 pm

  This SUV is awesome! The body is sporty, sleek, and very attractive. It has everything you can get in a ride. Navigation, power lift gate-up and down-power seats, power adjustable gas, and brake pedals, rear entertainment dvd, theater sound, power Windows, mirrors, power front seats, heated seats, power sunroof 17 in. Chrome wheels luggage rack memory seats and Im sure I forgetting something but I will stop now.

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  Fun to drive - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Irv R - March 29 - 10:00 am

  Was reluctent to trade in my 3 year old 300M to purchase the Pacifica. I must admit that the Pacifica drives and handles as well as the 300M.I am very pleased with the comfort of the seating and the ride. Looks like I made the right choice

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  Awesome - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Jenny - March 29 - 10:00 am

  The most fun I have ever had driving. It is family friendly yet still easy on the eyes.

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  a great car - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By sen - March 29 - 10:00 am

  One of the best built cars I have had. That is out of owning prox fifty cars.

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  Bug to PT... or, "from Herbie to Petey" - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By EWM - March 29 - 10:00 am

  Having driven a 74 VW Bug for 29 years, its clear not many new auto designs were that tempting to me. In other words, it would take a truly outstanding design to induce me to make a change. Thats why I love the PT... its as if my trusty VW had won the lottery and retired in luxury... but with its same, lovable personality intact. The PT Cruiser is surely, as auto reviewers have noted, the new "American Beetle".