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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  AOK except? - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Florida300man - April 28 - 11:10 am

  Great car for the money! Performance all aroud is a 10! Only problem is Visibility . . . . side windows, and rear is the worst visibility. I have had first accident in my life as a result after 40+ yrs. of driving, not serious, but was due to poor visibility....also high profile tires will only last 15k miles tops.

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  Ask the man who owns one - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Thos. Zachary - April 28 - 6:53 am

  The car starts well runs well accelerates well. Short wheel base makes the ride on poorly maintained roads is somewhat rigid. Winter driving is good. Trips to northern Michigan are pleasurful,gas mileage 28 to 30. City short drives with air on in is as low as 17mpg. Only poor features , Horn that belongs on a childs peddle car and recessed speedometer shadows does not make reading easy. Would Irecommend the car to others? Yes .

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  The 1 Reason Chrysler Should Survive! - 2009 Chrysler 300
  By DarthXan - April 26 - 11:16 pm

  Ive loved this car since it first debuted in 2005 & now I finally have 1. Its every bit as exciting as I thought it would be. Amazing power from the 5.7 L HEMI when you need it (cylinders deactivate when cruising, so it runs like a 4 cylinder to save on fuel economy). Excellent interior quality. Awesome sounding stereo. Sexy yet menacing exterior. Quietest & comfiest ride Ive ever been in. Highly reccomended & right now its still on sale. I saved almost $15K on mine!

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  great car - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By luke54 - April 26 - 8:23 pm

  I had a lot of cars,some of the the best american mfgs on the road. Im driveing the 2.7 eng. and getting great fuel economy 22/33. I,ve worked in the truck and auto industry for 40 yrs. and this vech. is a good one, no its not a Lincoln Marc VIII, Izusu Axiom,Ford LTD, Mustang Gt5spd,but its a darn good american made auto. My wife and I are very happy with ours.

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  After almost 2 years still excited - 2007 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Old Dude - April 26 - 4:32 pm

  I love: 1. That I can smoke those little Mitsubishis and VWs at redlights, 2. that I can consistantly get 26-27MPG when driving 80-90 on the highway, 3. that I can put the top down without getting out of the car, 4. that I can take corners at 80 that my Jeep can only take at 50-60, 5. that my wife cant pack 400lbs of clothes when we go on a trip & she is OK with that. Most Importantly, I love that after almost 2 years, I still get excited just looking at it. I my wife and I had to choose between each other or the car, wed both take the car and I love my wife of 28 years.

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  Value for the money - 2008 Chrysler Aspen
  By sferguson - April 24 - 11:41 pm

  Have owned a Toyota Sequoia, Chev. Trail Blazer, and GMC Envoy. By far my favorite vehichle. Luxury and power for less money than Chev. Tahoe and Toyota Sequoia. Looked at everything before purchasing my Aspen. Very satisfied!!!!!!

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  a bit annoyed - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By angelasoup - April 24 - 8:13 pm

  Alright so I have read numerous reviews on here and I am here to report ive had almost every problem on the list. The door dinging noise while the vehicle is in motion and the lights flash. The car alarm going off randomly. To fix that I had to alter the speed of my blinkers. The car takes in water underneath the floor when it rains. The transmission fluid suddenly started leaking out of nowhere and my tranny started acting up yesterday. Hope to god i can fix that! Everything falls out of the cup holders and onto the floor. The dome lights never come on when the door is opened. The trunk will stay open on its own for 30 seconds then fall on my head. The inside is uncomfortable and boring

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  Good Car but not great - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Thomas - April 24 - 6:26 pm

  My 2006 Chrysler 300 Touring AWD is a very good car the ride is smooth and comfortable the steering is tight and handles well the engine really loves to guzzle up the fuel with this AWD and the rear seat is not as roomy as you might expect and i really like the exterior design nice and sleek except in my opinion the car doesnt look long enough it looks like it they chopped off the trunk but i wished i had looked around a bit more i would have got one of the more modern cars in this class like the Mercury Grand Marquis or Montego and Ford Five Hundred but i am fairly happy with my 300 its a good car

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  I love my 300C - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Phil - April 24 - 4:26 pm

  The looks of the new 300C got me to take a look at. Im impressed and love driving my 300C. I got lucky in that 5 weeks to order and receive it. I had it so far for 4 months. Not one problem. The power of the Hemi, the options for the price, the look and the ride are what made me look and purchase it. Chrysler did it right in my book.

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  Toy - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By AstoriaLarry - April 23 - 10:00 am

  Great 2-seater. This car gathers a crowd whenever I park it.