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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  Norms joy - 2007 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Norm - January 19 - 10:55 am

  I replaced the wiper blades . The original were hard and did not clear in rain. The inside of the inside door pull had burs and was replaced.No other problems. These problems were corrected by Chysler without charge.This car hangs on curves and the road like glue. A great sport car. I have had 5 Corvettes and this Crossfire is as much fun to drive. It is all German except the skin. The crafsmanship is top of the line of most sports cars. I have had many complements on the looks of the car. You will have to drive it to appreciate it. Rumers are that the production will stop after 08 so this car will be a classic.

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  Fun car - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Rick Morell - January 18 - 2:20 pm

  Im a middle age person looking to assist his wife purchase a new car. we previously owned a big car. Chevy Caprice. She wanted something different and fun. Boy did she find it, the Cruiser GT Turbo is the most fun car we have driven since high school back in the 60s. I highly recommend it for comfort, handling, and performance. On the down side is the small fuel tank, just 15 gallons and it uses high test (because of the Turbo) Overall its great car.

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  2005 Chrysler 300C - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By 300C440HP - January 17 - 7:56 pm

  I waited four months to get a 300C and it was worth the wait! This is the first American car that impressed me enough to buy new in many years. Performance, comfort, ride and features are phenomenal. Value for the Buck: Worth every penny.

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  Im happy with it - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By jp almeida - January 16 - 2:00 am

  DonÂ’t understand why people complain about gas mileage. THERE IS A HUGE STICKER on the window with HUGE numbers on it that shows the gas consumption. I donÂ’t buy peopleÂ’s complaining about it. You pretty much know what you are buying prior to close the deal. Want a better gas mileage? Buy a Honda Civic then. I love my Pacifica. Love everything it has. No complain as far how it handles, comfort, luxury, happy wife (that is what really counts). Only one thing to improve though: blind spot. Not a big deal for me. You get used to it after a few back-ups. No needs for sensor or anything, but I know that some people might need it.

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  2004 Turbo - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By BPH - January 14 - 3:13 pm

  A small car I can fit my 63" frame in comfortably! Great room, lots of power with the stage I upgrade. Fun car to drive and just Cruise in. Well built car still really solid after 24,000 miles. Gas mileage is better than I expected based on the weight of the car and what Id heard.

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  It dont get any better then this - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By MICHAEL E YOUNG SR. - January 13 - 8:20 pm

  Outstanding in every way. Comfort and leg room are unmatched. Retro dash with that old school clock is awsum as is the lite interior color. Finally a car with character again. Extreemly roomy interior but take home two, their small. If I could I would have one for each day of the weak. Headlights on the 06 make night driving look like day light.

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  Glad I checked it out - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By bwicklund - January 13 - 7:32 pm

  After my 98 Audi wagon died (engine freeze at 80,000 miles), I needed a new wagon for size, comfort, and utility. Id owned German cars for 34 years, but could not believe the prices! Checked out the Pacifica and found the perfect car. Comfort, great design, and functional luxury for over $20,000 less than the European equivalents.

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  You wont be disappointed - 2008 Chrysler Aspen
  By shemadeitinaz - January 13 - 3:35 pm

  Chrysler wont let you down with this one either. I have been out looking at SUVs for over six months and overall with interior and exterior features along with the Hemi under the hood I couldnt pass this one up for the what you get for your money. I am not trying so seet 7 adults so the kids have plenty of room and are easily distracted by the DVD system anyway. Definilety go with the 28J package there just isnt anything left on the wish list that isnt covered.

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  After one year its still a lot of fun - 2007 Chrysler Aspen
  By Lorne - January 12 - 3:00 pm

  Wow, I am still having fun driving this beast after one year. I own a 5.7 hemi limited all equipped except for the NAV. I believed that all reviews are pretty accurate. However, I will comment on Canadian winter driving with lot of snows, freezing rains, icy conditions the driving is OK with the 20 tires but would strongly recommend winter tires but hard to find. This is my 1st year with winter tires and nothing can stop me. The 4 wheel drives is extremely precise and can not feel anything when all wheels are slipping. My wife, kids and I feel extremely safe in the vehicle.

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  All and more that I hoped for - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By Lane H. - January 9 - 11:27 pm

  I checked out all the hardtop converts before buying and this is a much more enjoyable car than i was expecting . It is a cruiser, not a sportscar . Comfortable, quiet, and classy! Ride quality is great. All the professional reviews do not give this car justice. I am really glad I got the electronic stabilty control as we live in the snow and it really makes winter driving safer and easier. This is our everyday car in Minnesota winters. Its a car for people in their late 40s and up who want a convertible but not all the hassles to go with it. Everyone thinks it is a Thunderbird, which would be a good comparison if there was such a thing as I can see nothing that compares.