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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  Best car Ive owned - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By Stacey - March 27 - 6:13 pm

  I absolutely love this car... Ive only had it for 9 months but it is the best. The only thing Ive had to have replace was the a/c evaporator core but that, I hear, is a common fault in the Chrysler 300M. This car handles great on turns and curves and the gas mileage is pretty good for a 3.5 V6. The only complaint I have is the small gas tank.

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  Lews Chrysler 300 Limited - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Lew Gordon - March 27 - 1:31 pm

  I purchased this vehicle with 18K miles on it and added tinted windows, styling kits on the outside, new 20" cool rims and tires. The car came with all the wood fancies you could find inside. The previous owner kept this car soooo immaculate. I am glad not to drive a Cadillac Eldorado anymore, and especially after two of them. The color is Cool Vanilla outside with cream leather interior and I get so many looks on the road. Honestly, it is the nicest one I have seen so far. A real eye stopper. The seats could be more comfortable (very Benz inside) and could adjust in more ways. I wish I had folding mirrors and rear-assist. LOVE this car!

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  Still love my Chrysler 300 Touring - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By J. Williams - March 26 - 5:12 pm

  I have owned my car for four years, it has given me dependable pleasure, comfort-style-and the dealership has been great to keep my car in top condition. I have no problems in the winter, my car always starts under the coldest of conditions, in snow if you go slow as conditions require you will be able to drive on most surfaces and hills. I have had the following parts replaced under warranty since purchase: Motors for front seat and car door windows. Extra battery in trunk replaced. Most recent part replaced, is a compressor went completely out, the dealership covered the cost leaving me with labor only. I have low miles considering I am the only driver of my car.

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  Love it! - 2007 Chrysler Aspen
  By ORVISMAN - March 26 - 2:21 pm

  Got the Hemi (MDS)... We love this vehicle. Does everything expected, well. Drives, handles, hauls... no complaints other than the gas mileage. But what large SUV gets good gas mileage. Very happy with this buy!

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  The best - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By B&M - March 26 - 6:26 am

  One of the best vehicles I have owned in years!

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  Great road car - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Pinevaly - March 26 - 4:16 am

  This is a vehicle that is easy to enter and exit, for seniors who are tall. There are not many vehicles that are high off the ground that are not trucks. It has many refinements that make it a pleasure to drive, such as power everything. It is a great road car that is powerful and quiet. The door seals eliminate wind noise, and there is little road noise.

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  A Ford man buys a Chrysler - 1997 Chrysler LHS
  By Andrew Moore - March 26 - 2:09 am

  As much as I love Ford cars/trucks, I have owned 5 in my short 20 year existence on the earth, and I liked them all, but when I went to purchase my 6th vehicle, I said to myself that i would consider other makes of cars, but No GM products, bleh! My first look for a new car, a 1999 Ford Escort, it was a smokers car, too many small things made me question it, and I decided to look at other car lot, and I looked for something under $3,000. I found a Chrysler LHS, I loved it from the start, drove it, looked it over, BS-ed with the dealer, got them to knock off a $100 or so bucks, I drove it 250 miles to home, no problems,a good Chrysler product for sure, nice luxury car, forget Cadillac!

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  pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Rick Reinhold - March 23 - 2:00 am

  Love it, handling and design is great

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  My PT - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By AnnieD - March 23 - 2:00 am

  Ive had the car 4 months and it is so fun to drive. I feel like Im cruising the world. I feel very powerful when I am driving the car and listening to music on the very good CD system.

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  PT Cruiser - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By augoct221-2 - March 23 - 2:00 am

  I like it. I recommed to any one who wants to buy it.