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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  great car for cheap - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By sean6896 - August 26 - 2:24 am

  Just bought this car a aweek ago. Its handled great so far and is fun to drive. Only thing i dont like is ac module is messed up and will sometimes randomly blow on feet just flip knob over and back and its fixed. bought it for 2.5k with 135000 on it. car drives and looks like a new car. very bad fuel economy tho. i switched from a nissan sentra 1.6l so i dropped almost 20 miles per gallon :(

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  Awesome!! - 2012 Chrysler 300
  By eveninggus - August 6 - 10:28 pm

  Just sold my Lexus LS for this car. My cars before that were Infiniti M35, Lexus GS430, BMW 540 sport. This car is better than them all. Harmon Kardon Sound blows away all of the rest. The balance of ride, handling and comfort is superior. The 5.7 liter Hemi has better performance that all of them. Only the 540 comes close, but still not as good. What a value, with a car like this on the market for 45,000 why would anyone spend 40 grand more for a LS460 or BMW 550?

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  All I can say is wow!!!! - 2012 Chrysler 300
  By harvismith - July 20 - 11:19 pm

  I was in the market for an Infinity M37. But after reading the negative reviews on the transmission i decided to give our good ol American Chrysler a try, and boy........I was blown away. You really never appreciate a good car till you own one. Ever since i got the car, ive been looking for an excuse to drive to somewhere.... anywhere. To feel the growl of that V8 engine. The interior is classy and spacious. The navigation is the easiest ive seen in a vehicle. Bottom line is that this is one of the best cars for the money out there. Im totally content with my buy. If youre looking for a large sedan, give the 300 a try. You wouldnt regret you did.

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  Really Impressed - 2012 Chrysler 300
  By alotofcars - July 3 - 9:46 am

  I am 70 and have now bought 106 cars. I just traded a 2011 Subaru WRX for this 300. I have had Lexus, Mecedez-Benz, Cadillac, just about everything. This is the most impressive car I have ever owned. I live in Austin, TX drive to Houston and work all week and go home every weekend. I have averaged 32.5 mpg total for 2000 miles, in and out of town and It will really go if you need it. I swore I would never buy a Chrysler product again 20 years ago. What a car! No wonder their sales are up 200%. Quieter, faster, more comfortable, better mpg than last 2 Lexus.

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  A Benz By Day An Audi At Night - 2012 Chrysler 300
  By 3004me - June 28 - 9:08 am

  First, Id like to disclose three points. 1. This is the first car Ive owned manufactured by one of Americas Big 3. 2. Ive never owned a car that didnt have a clutch, and this was a real hurdle concerning the "fun-to-drive" factor. 3. I loved the interior of my last vehicle, an Audi A6. I was surrounded by real leather and wood, not the disgusting plastic so prevalent in todays cars. My 300 Luxury Series (Pentastar V6 mated with the ZF 8-speed) truly lives up to its name. Both the engine and the interior won Top Ten honors by Wards Auto this year. Its absolutely gorgeous inside and out. The Mochachino leather exceeds my expectations. This is North American luxury at its best!

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  Chrysler 200 - Strong Performer - 2012 Chrysler 200
  By vegeta_hair - June 25 - 9:11 am

  I just picked up my Chrysler 200 limited and I couldnt be more pleased. The deep auburn pearl paint job, 18 inch rims, and chrome accents makes this car look and feel like a high end car. The interior is very impressive. Its loaded with features, but somehow maintains a simple and elegant look (not into cars that look like the cockpit of a fighter plane). Being someone who spends a lot of time in the car, this is much appreciated. I owned a 300M prior (which was a great car) and then went to a Ford. Now that I am back in a Chrysler I will more then likely never go back to another auto company. Great car! Great value!

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  Perfect Car!! - 2001 Chrysler 300M
  By briangriffin1 - June 24 - 6:55 pm

  Just got mine last year and has had no problems a whatsoever and it has 234,765 Miles on it and still looks great and has still got 30MPG city and 34MPG hwy

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  One of the best - 2012 Chrysler 300
  By - June 15 - 12:58 pm

  This is one of the best cars that I have ever driven. Over the last 3,000 miles I have averaged between 24 mpg around home and 30+mpg on the highway. That more than compares to the 2008 4 cyl. Altima that I traded for this car and the luxury in the 300 is beyond compare.

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  LOve Love Love... My Sebring!!! - 2010 Chrysler Sebring
  By kimberly98 - June 11 - 3:30 pm

  I purchased my 2010 Sebring in Jan. 2012. I almost dis not purchase this car because of the negative reviews. I have never owned a Chrysler but so far I am very pleased with both my car and my dealership. Yes there are a few things that I would personality change about this car but everyone does when getting a new car. If I ever cmplain about the small stuff I stop and remember the AWESOME price of the Sebring! The only major complaint I have is the plastic in the interior door handles, they stratch very easily. My previous vehicle was a Ford Explorer so I am LOVING the gas mileage. This car rides and drives good and is extremly comfortable. My advice is to test drive this car for yourself!

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  wchop - 2012 Chrysler 300
  By wchopp - June 6 - 2:33 pm

  I have owned over 50 vehicles in my lifetime and this is one of the best cars I have owned. Just came off a 1600 mile trip with alot of 2 lane roads and some freeway driving. Averaged 33 MPG on the complete trip. Have approx 4200 miles on the car. The ride is excellent and quite for this old senior. Lots of room and I have been a GM guy all my life. Would recommend this car to anyone. Lots of power, lots of comfort and lots of gagets. I love this car!