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:

• 

  Nice ride, terrific value - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By Jeff - April 8 - 6:01 pm

  My 2001 Sebring Convertible was a terrific car that never had any problems. With all of the incentives out there, I decided to trade it in for an 08 model. Heres some comparisons: - 08 model rides higher, which is nice. - 01 model had a notably bigger cabin - both the front seats and (especially) the rear seats. That said, the 08 is still a comfortable, smooth ride. - The V6 engine in my 01 Sebring had much better accleration. The 08 2.7- liter V6 is adequate, but the difference in power is palpable. - The 08 model has tighter handling and a better turning radius. On balance, the 08 Touring model is a tremendous value. Its a sharp looking, comfortable car with great features.

• 

  Touring comfort - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Happy Touring - April 7 - 7:33 am

  Would prefer better mileage as I have a difficult commute every day but for a vehicle in this class...

• 

  Im Back for More. - 2009 Chrysler 300
  By Randy - April 6 - 6:18 pm

  I bought one of the first redsigned 2005 Jade Green 300Cs in March 2004. I thought it was an unbelievable car for the $$s. After 70,000 miles I traded it in for the 2009 300C Clearwater Blue, fully optioned. Its a handful with additional 19hp. Its a phenominal highway car. It has 2,000 miles on it. I just did a trip from Long Island to western Virginia. It averaged 24.1 miles/per gallon over 420 miles. Chrysler tweaked the MDS system so that it runs on 4 cylinders more often, even at 70 miles plus per hour, with a special "ECO" light which tells when MDS is on. The ride is plush and heavy. Made the trip in 5:52 hours averaging 71mph. The seats are so comfortable one can drive forever

• 

  GTC 5 SPEED: UPDATE - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Shifter - April 6 - 3:07 pm

  Update: 44,000 miles. My "black-on- black beauty" 5 speed manual continues to be just that. The mirror-like finish remains deep and clear, and still maintains like-new appearance. The last tank of fuel (city driving) yielded 23 mpg, and that fluctuates in a range of 21-23 city--all on original plugs. With the exception of two switch replacements in the heat-ac blower, the car has been absolutely mechanically excellent. One change noted, however, is the presence in Winter, when the cabin is cold, of loud squeaky sounds where the top meets the windshield frame. As the cabin heats up the sound diminishes in loudness. Handling remains tight & I love the 5 speed control in snow and rain.

• 

  No Comparison Anywhere... - 2008 Chrysler Crossfire
  By M.Heiden - April 6 - 10:57 am

  This car is "proof" positive of how over rated Toyota and Lexus are. This car looks great, drives great and was more than reasonable to purchase. I refuse to drink the Kool Aid and believe that everything from Japan is great... This is my second one, a 2005 coupe and now a convertible. My last Corvette almost rattled my teeth out of my head, and my kidneys still dont work properly. I think Ill buy one more and leave it in garage for when these wear out at 200k...

• 

  Dead and Gone. - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By OyVay - April 5 - 6:50 pm

  Test driving many mid-sized SUVs and crossovers I fell in love with the Pacifica.I was pretty pleased with the vehicle: beautiful styling, quiet cabin, smooth ride, ample space - definitely a passenger conscious vehicle. Just before 50K the transmission went out. The amount of torque on the trans coupled with the weight of the Pacifica is Not a good combo. A part shot through transmission case causing a hole about the size of a quarter and all the fluid leaked out. The transmission began seizing one day while on the highway and nearly caused an accident. It was in the shop for nearly a month and fortunately I bought a 100k warranty on the thing. Afraid of further part issues, I traded out.

• 

  Its a great car - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Lorelei - April 5 - 10:00 am

  this is our third Chrysler convertible..had 2 Sebrings in the past. the Crossfire handles great, turns on a dime, begs to fly.

• 

  Perfect (except for milage) - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Adamson - April 5 - 10:00 am

  I have no complaints about this car/wagon/ minivan. I wish the milage was better, but I knew what I was getting when I bought it. I rides very smoothly, is quiet, has lots of room, and is not a SUV. The dealership was great and I got a price below what Edmunds told me was TMV. I would recomend this car to anyone.

• 

  pacifica - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By goodie - April 5 - 10:00 am

  My wife and I love to drive the pacifica- it rides great- easy to get the kids in and out of and with the 3rd row of seats makes it great for parties of 6.

• 

  my Pacifica - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By B06robert - April 5 - 10:00 am

  I have only been driving the cat for a month I have put 2000 miles in it, It drives exellent not much more that I can say at this time than very satisfied