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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  Chrysler 200 is nice but it is a safety concern. - 2016 Chrysler 200
  By Dalia - May 9 - 3:18 pm

  I bought my car brand new from a well known dealership. It was the floor model limited edition. After 9 months of having the vehicle I started having electrical problems to the point it left me stranded on the side of the road. It was under warranty so I had that replaced. Then a few months later I started having transmission problems. Needless to say I am done with my Chrysler 200. I loved the car until it started having too many problems. I just cant do it anymore. I have a kid and thank God that both times that I was left on the side of the road he was not with me. It is now a safety concern of mine.

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  A good car a first.... - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Yeti - May 9 - 2:50 pm

  We bought this car 9 months used and it was a great car for the first 2 years or so. We replaced the front brakes twice in 3 years and then a caliper in the rear seized and that all had to be replaced. The thing that burned me the most is how expensive the parts are. To be fair the car was a dream to drive and never once broke down, but Im giving it a low reliability number because of the cost of maintenance. We ditched it in the end because of a rear suspension linkage going bad, the A/C pump starting to go, the power windows starting to go in the front, and emission test issues.

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  Great car / 3.5 liter--5 speed - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Ben - May 9 - 11:24 am

  Bought car in 2007. The only trouble I had was the dealer had to replace the "mixer", which is the knob you use to switch the air flow. The car has been very good. Gas mileage on the highway (which is most of my driving) is 25 mpg to 28.6 mpg, which is fully loaded trunk and back seat @ 75 MPH. From Michigan to Florida and other parts of the country. The quality of gas really has alot to do with the mileage. Ive tried them all. Its supposed to be run on mid grade, but that hasnt been the case either. Last time (feb & mar) just ran it on regular, and the mileage got better and better from the start of the trip to the end. ended with 28.6 mpg. One other thing is I run Synthetic oil. Has 27K

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  Wow! - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By woggly - May 7 - 11:16 pm

  Wonderful automobile, Great fuel mileage, low maintence. Very quite and fun to drive. What a value! If you drive one youll buy one. averaging 34.2 mpg with 60/40 hwy to city driving. Recently averaged 34.2 mpg on a 360 mile trip at 70+ mph.

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  MY TOY - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By RON - May 7 - 3:37 pm

  I bought this just for a summer toy. Its a blast to drvie and I get (nice car) everytime Im out. People always stop to stare. I have got over 30mpg at times. It has only has 16000 miles on it and not one problem. It rides a little rough but we dont have the best roads in Ohio. The 19" wheels and low pro tires makes cornering fantastic. The interior is a little tight but Im 6ft and 215 lbs. Probably a little large for any two seater. But it was affordable and with the top down,its just as desirable as any other 2-seat sports car out there.

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  Love/hate relationship w/ my Pacifica - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Gerald - May 7 - 12:05 am

  My 2017 Pacifica replaced my 2014 Odyssey. From a driving perspective, it’s a class or 2 above the Odyssey. It’s so much quieter and smoother to drive. However, from a functionality and reliability standpoint, it fails compared to the Odyssey. My Uconnect has many quirks and does not functionally normally. I’ve spent over 3 hrs on the phone w/ tech support but there are still many quirks that tech support can’t fix and they recommended that I take it to the dealer. Who has time for that?! The Pacifica’s interior is stylish, but it lacks many nooks and crannies for storage compared to the Odyssey. Also, all the seats are extremely difficult with car seat installation – seat bottom reclines too much, headrest protrudes too much, latch and tether difficult to use and limited 2nd row width to accommodate 3 car seats together comfortably. The Odyssey was 1000x better in this respect. So far I’m enjoying the drive. But I miss the day to day functionality of the Odyssey.

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  Better in the snow than a 4 x 4 truck! - 2008 Chrysler 300
  By KAO - May 5 - 10:29 pm

  Quiet, perfect for a 6 person, 400 + mile trips easy, not fatigue. Gets around better than a 4 x 4 truck in the snow. Would be a tank with Blizzaks! Feels like a luxury car inside.

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  fun car - 2004 Chrysler Concorde
  By david Hovland - May 5 - 8:31 pm

  my car was a former rental fleet car. I love the cars performance. At 70 mph I can floor it and pass another car as if I had a rocket. Speed will be 90+ after getting around it. Love the hughe trunk as I can put wifes walker in and still have much room. Only cons are some repair costs, intake manifold leak, a/c pulley bearings going out, (57K miles,and fuel. 17 city & 24 hiway, but I am not a slow poke.

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  been through hell, still kikkin though. - 1999 Chrysler Cirrus
  By melbatoba - May 5 - 6:46 pm

  my 1999 chrysler cirrus has 175000 mi on it. I love this car. I wish i had another one, with less miles. my sister bought it, traded it to my mom, and then it was given to me. i intend to give her hell until she falls over dead. i love the acceleration and the leather seats are wonderful to.(even though my 135 lb. dog punctured them with his toe nails). When this car goes i want another one just like it.

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  Still loving it! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Tonk - May 5 - 10:55 am

  Bought used in 06 w/46K - replaced brakes at 90K (1st time - $800) and just replaced relay for radiator fan ($160). Aside from klunky sound from front axel area car has been amazing. I drive a lot and love feeling safe & secure. Was ready to trade to newer model until read they were being discontinued. Will probably keep it till Im embarrassed by rust or until it just wont run...Love it!