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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  07 Bright Silver Convertable - 2007 Chrysler Crossfire
  By miclb57 - June 16 - 3:28 pm

  Ive always wanted a roadster but didnt want used and couldnt justify the price of new until now. These cars are a real value if you can still find them new. The car runs and handles very well. It also rides very well for a roadster, is extremely solid, and has very good fit and finish. Hopefully it will be reliable but it also has lifetime, unlimited milage drivetrain warranty and I purchased lifetime, unlimited milage wrap around Chrysler warranty for additional $1,200 with a $100.00 deductable. Peace of mind for major repairs if you plan on keeping the car long term as I do. The car looks great and is just a lot of fun. Only comes out on nice days. A real keeper.

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  My Chrysler 300-C - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Avant111 - June 16 - 4:53 am

  Has the feel of the sixties car with a very agressive style unlike any other car now being produced.

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  Pretty Junk - 1995 Chrysler Cirrus
  By Tracy - June 15 - 10:38 pm

  I would love to tell you about my driving experience but the car is always broke down. I see why Chrysler is bankrupt. Their cars spend more time with the mechanic than the owner.

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  Best Car Ever - 2002 Chrysler Concorde
  By orlando - June 14 - 10:34 pm

  I bought this car used with the 3.5L engine in it in 2007 and since then I had no major problems with the vehicle other then the A/C which stopped working.It turned out to be a broken hose which cost me $275 to fix.Other than that ,do your general maintenance and the car will treat you right.Love the factory navigation unit it came with but updating the disc can be pricy if you get it from the dealer ($250).

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  Im thrilled with it - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By wiskydelta - June 14 - 9:03 pm

  This car is super fast, Ive had it up to 135 and Ive been told the govner kicks in at 155. Its also smooth and quiet to drive. Mine is a 2005, they will come down on a 05 but they want full sticker price on a 06, I paid $300 over invoice. This is also my first non-GM vehicle.

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  put to th test - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By Sunshyne - June 14 - 1:36 pm

  I love cars! I get it from my dad he had every classic car with power while he was growing up.So i get it honest I will put a car to the test. I had a mustang GT growing up..poor car..lol! I hust recently got my sebring and she is great, alot more than I expected from a FWD car. She will take curb at 60+ and can stop on a dime. Great suspension and she is quick off the start...i din not know an automatic could bark tires in 3rd gear..love it

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  loooong term review from original owner - 1999 Chrysler Cirrus
  By Steve - June 14 - 12:02 pm

  Bought the car new (1999). Still running well 10 years later with just under 77K miles. Only non-routine maintenance need was a glitch with the electronics for the automatic trans at around 30K miles. Trouble-free since. The 2.5 liter V6 engine is a winner - great mid-range torque for highway merging and passing, still gets great fuel economy in mid-20s mpg in mixed highway and city driving. Paint has held up remarkably well. Leather interior has held up well. Sunroof still works great. See no reason I wont be driving it another 2-3 years. If Chrylser had built all their models this well, the company would be in a lot better shape!

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  low price......high quality - 2006 Chrysler Sebring
  By cntrvllnyer - June 14 - 6:50 am

  fun to drive....lots of room...great car...with a great price...color scheme and body style are fantastic....

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  Chrysler Pacifica Touring L Plus - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Subhash Chawla - June 14 - 3:41 am

  We drove Honda Odyssey earlier but were not very happy with the 2015 model. I can say we did not make a mistake with the purchase of 2017 Pacifica. Rides very smooth, easy on turns, very comfortable. Our salesman Mohamed Omar knew the car very well and explained to us each and everything.

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  The best safety rating - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By kc from washington - June 13 - 7:50 am

  I got one of the last 2005 PTs in the area. I didnt intend on buying the Limited Edition but glad I did. My insurance gave it the best safety rating they offer. Costs me less than my Suzuki Vitara (worth half the value). I love the way it handles; drives very sporty. I live in the country and it handles great on the many curves and inclines. Wish the gas mileage was better, but its worth it.