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:

• 

  VROOM! - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By dphillip - November 21 - 10:00 am

  Ive had the car for two months and enjoy driving it more every time I turn the key in the ignition. I find myself taking more trips just because its such a kick to drive. People of all ages and gender have taken the time to comment on the crossfires sleek lines. Im just a little freaked about not having a spare tire. Oh well, I love the car!

• 

  Very nice car - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By kmag - November 21 - 10:00 am

  Bought the PT "woodie" a few months ago and couldnt be more pleased with the car. It is versatile,reliable, and its styling still draws a lot of lookers. I am impressed by the quality in the fit and finish. Everything just fits like it should. Power is adequate and it certainly is not a sports car but it isnt meant to be...all in all a great little car.

• 

  A fun little car - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Michael - November 20 - 6:53 am

  This is a 2 seater that can really turn heads. The lines are clean and the style is fresh. The car is quick off the line and can reach its electronically limited speed quickly. The brakes are exceptional and transmission flawless. If you are taller then 58" and portly look out, the cabin is tight and leg room limited. But when you want some fun, disengage the traction control and grab some throttle.

• 

  2005 Chrysler Crossfire - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By roman - November 19 - 12:36 pm

  Nice car, fun to drive. Great fuel economy for a v6. Oil changes cost a lot and premium fuel required. Handling is awesome and great safety features like ESP TMS BAS.

• 

  Pacifica--Wagon, SUV, Van? - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Crash - November 18 - 1:56 pm

  I purchased our Pacifica 14 months ago. I am impressed with the car overall. The ride and build quality are some of the best on the market. It handles well on dry, wet, and icy roads. Comfort on long and short trips is outstanding. The car is basically a Mercedes with a Chrysler wing logo on it. In 14 months, I have only had to have the car worked on twice (power seat module and HVAC blower fan motor), other than normal service. I am disappointed with the car not retaining its value, based on the Edmunds Used Car values.

• 

  Great vehicle - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By stephanie - November 18 - 8:11 am

  We traded in a 04 Altima for the Pac. It was great car and really good on gas which I miss but we needed more room so we went to the Pacifica which my wife was looking at for a while anyway. She wanted 3rd row and I also wanted 4wd so I wouldnt have to worry about her on snowy days. The ride is al ot quieter than the Altima and smoother. A lot more room for are 2 girls. I love the looks inside and out. I was skeptical about the leather but so far I love it. The get up and go is great. like I said the mileage is ok but I have a Nissan Titan that gets about the same as the pac. The kids love riding in the way back and are always asking me to turn the radio up and go faster which gets me introuble with the wife.

• 

  I love My Crossfire - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By denisehrh - November 18 - 1:01 am

  Beautiful car. Get complements every day. Hate the front wheel brake dust and cup holder. Other then that its the perfect fun, happy car. My yellow one is just gorgeous.

• 

  Best Used Car for the Buck - 1998 Chrysler Concorde
  By MarineViper - November 16 - 11:55 pm

  Bought with 135,000 miles and this has to be one of the most appealling large American family car, this is coming from a 21 year old. Great fuel mileage, takes the abuse I give it well. Added mods: cold air intake, and small bumper mods. One of the easiest to work on new cars I ever worked on as well.

• 

  A better looking MB-SLK! - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By wyrfox - November 16 - 1:24 pm

  After careful looking and research, the option of getting MBs engineering and Chryslers art deco styling was too compelling. I found my Xfire on Craiglist and it was love at first sight. The car is fun to drive, gets great milage (27-29 HWY) and as the Caddy ads say, "the car returns the favor!" Bit of warning, the dealerships are flakey with only a few Xfire trained techs, but the private MB folks around will understand every aspect of the car. An Mopar will sell parts to anyone.

• 

  Mercedes in Chrysler Mask - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Island Joe - November 15 - 2:00 am

  Overall, a great vehicle for the money. Dealership leaves much to be desired - Chrysler dealers do not know how to treat high-end customers (at least the ones in Maryland).