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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  and the problem goes on - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By vmanzanares951 - November 13 - 12:15 pm

  So I bought my pacifica in May 2014 at a dealership in Temecula, CA saw the carfax car seemed great except it was from Missouri. Well thats should have told me something there but I didnt know. Now I have replaced the front struts 4 times since May replaced the axles twice emissions problems then motor mounts went out ALL 4, This is the disaster part, My Sub-Frame is completely Rusted the rear end can not be aligned until I replace the alignment parts because they are so rusted. Got a flat tire and went to crank my car up with the stock jack and it went right thru the driver side floorboard. I dont know what to do anymore I paid way over the price for everything sale 6k repairs 4k

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  1000 mile comments - 2015 Chrysler 200
  By dburchardt - November 9 - 6:54 pm

  I picked up my new 200 Limited less than a month ago and love it so far. The styling, in and out, is above all the other mid size sedans out there. I love the rotary shift and the 9 speed works well. The car feels like a quality auto. The doors and hood close with a quality sounding thunk. Much better than my wifes Rav 4 in terms of quality build. Chrysler has made a quantum leap from the previous 200. THe ride is quiet and comfortable without being floaty. The engine is smoother than Rav or Altima. I am excited to drive this car to work every day. I am getting about 34 mpg in everyday mixed driving. I drove Camry, Accord, Altima, Fusion, Sonata with the 200 coming out on top. Try it.

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  Dont Buy! - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By bronsonc - November 7 - 10:34 pm

  I bought this car used from a reliable source, and boy I regret ever since. First the springs went out, Chrysler charged me 1200. Then oil started to leak, had to fix that. Then the headlights wouldnt turn off, and electronics such as the heated seats stop working. But most of all, the engine starting knocking and I had to throw it out. Parts are expensive, and Dealers a pain. Done with GM!

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  Worst Car Imagineable - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By sjc3 - November 7 - 7:14 pm

  Bought my 01 Sebring with 75k mikes on it. After two months the heater and air conditioning stopped working, which was only the beginning of my problems. Once it hit 85k miles, it was needing $300 plus repairs every month - everything from leaking water pumps, to broken axle and ball joint to leaking fuel rails. Dont, dont, dont buy this car!

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  Dont Buy It Car Has Costly Continuous Problems - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By thisismyreview - November 7 - 8:18 am

  I have a 2008 sedan and in the last year the transmission went out suddenly in the middle of the street without warning, the next month the starter went out and now it continuously stalls suddenly at the stop light and if I turn the corner etc. Mechanics are baffled and dont want to deal with it. Every time I fix "something" 2 months later theres another $500 problem. Like so many others have stated I need to get rid of this car A.S.A.P. By the way Dodge/Chryslers are known for having transmission problems so think about that the next time you consider buying from them.

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  Excellent car for the price - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By paradise55 - November 4 - 7:43 pm

  2007 Sebring, with 150K, $3500. For the price you would get top brand 2000 year car with 2 air bags! some issues: Air bag light on- replaced clock spring. "Throttle position sensor slow response" trouble code - engine oil below check rod added 1.5 quart to see in the check rod - thick and dirty. ($19 oil change 2 month, 1K mile)- code reappeared after 2 days - Changed the oil in the dealer- trouble code went away. No start and no power in trouble code reader- replaced fuse no 27 with fuse no 3. Engine started but NO GEAR SHIFT. Put another fuse in no 3. Now it has 160K running good and strong. Gear shift is also smooth. No other major repairs for 7yrs and 160K.

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  Safety, build quality, uConnect all awesome - 2015 Chrysler 200
  By awb3 - November 1 - 1:47 pm

  When I began shopping, I wasnt considering the 200. Ive owned it now for 6 weeks and 1700 miles, and I couldnt be happier. I love the uConnect system. So much better than anything else Ive used. The rotary shift and eParking brake are conveniently placed and add a bunch of storage under the center console. The SafetyTec package includes all sorts of tech that still amazes me. The ride is super quiet, its obvious they thought a lot about reducing road noise. It has a high-quality feel. The wood accents are nice, but I pay more attention to how tightly everything fits together, and Chrysler did a great job with this.

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  2005 Crossfire Coupe Limited is AWESOME - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By mycrossie - October 25 - 9:47 pm

  I have owned my car since last year. I take it to a German auto shop since all the parts are Mercedes Benz. It has only needed oil changes. Mine has only 34,000km, not miles, on it...so about 20,000 miles. Not only is it fun to drive but I get compliments on it wherever I go. People want to know what it is! I think Chrysler/Daimler made a big mistake when they quit making these cars, but on the other hand, mine is or will be a collector car. It is in excellent condition and it is better looking and faster than anything on the road. It was made in Germany and can do the autobahn with speed and agility. Id buy two of these cute cars if I could afford to. They are great cars! Good on gas too.

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  Loving my 200C - 2015 Chrysler 200
  By tck5810 - October 16 - 1:05 pm

  I purchased my 2015 200C at the end of June and have already put over 7000 miles on it with only one problem that was fixed within the first week. The rear shelf over the back seats was not fastened properly, causing it to vibrate uncomfortably to any bass coming out of the speakers. Once it was fixed, the premium sound system sounded great! I love to drive my car on the back roads around where I live and on the interstates, I feel like its at home in both environments. It gets lots of stares from people in Mercedes cars, as well as other luxury brands as the go by, or I pass them.

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  SRT6 - poor mans supercar =) - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By crossfire2004 - October 13 - 1:39 am

  I originally owned a standard 2004 crossfire & was impressed with it so much that I traded it in to get not 1 but 2 srt-6s. One ragtop one coupe. The crossfire is an amazing car. Its very solid & drives incredibly. Its also better looking & faster than 95% of the cars on the road. Fit & finish need attention! Rust issues MUST be dealt with. Troubled areas are bottom of the doors (because the weather stripping holds water in, instead of letting it drain) & under the wing mounts. BARE METAL...Really? Daimler???? Other than that the car is awesome! Im a Chrysler man & although this isnt really a Mopar, it was a complete Chrysler design & concept. Unfortunately, Daimler never advertised it,