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:

• 

  Most Bang for the Buck - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Eric - March 23 - 11:53 pm

  After living in Germany for 5 yrs i wanted a fun fast and reliable American Hot Rod. This is it. I didnt know until after the fact about the SRT Track Experience and that was a blast plus i really appreciate the cars potential. Great Car and it beats the CTS-V and M3 and AMG C55 hands down.

• 

  My review - 2008 Chrysler 300
  By Julio Diaz - March 22 - 9:11 pm

  Id been with my car barely a month, but it had been an incredible experience. The ride, the interior comfort plus the looks of the car are second to none. The engine response it fantastic, plenty of power to move the big body.

• 

  Best Car I Have Ever Owned!! - 2000 Chrysler Cirrus
  By 2000 Chysler Cirrus - March 21 - 2:49 pm

  I now have owned this car four years. It is without a dought the best car I have ever owued. I now have 237,000 miles on this car. It still runs fine and I hope to top 300,000 miles. I maintaine it properly and have had very few problems.

• 

  limited convertible - 2009 Chrysler Sebring
  By frederick - March 21 - 12:48 am

  i am over 6ft tall try to find a convertible that you can stretch out in and be comfortable at my height i previously owned 2 passats and there is a huge quality of interior ,sheet metal,and paint difference, but having said that it is very appealing to look at and gets great reviewns from passengers and onlookers,just dont look for a tight german ride.the car does everything well enough and the top comes down,nothing better on a summer day

• 

  i like it ! - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By edna b - March 20 - 7:43 am

  On the whole i like it...they could have finessed it a little better..i think the 2006 has more to offer...The one thing I dont like is that when you step on the gas it has a tendency to fish tail a little.. i am not use to that...

• 

  Unbelievable value. - 2009 Chrysler 300
  By The Arb - March 19 - 7:19 pm

  With all the discounts now offered this car is an unblievable bargain. There are many improvements over the 2007 300C which I returned after a 27 month lease. This car I bought, paying 0% financing for 36 months, with nothing down. The beauty of this car, plus the inferno red color I have, is still a head turner, even though the car first appeared in 2005. From 1995 to 2007 I leased a Cadillac STS every 2 years (6 cars). A Chrysler 300C, with options, surpasses Cadillac in every way looks, power, performance, and most all, price. Regarding fuel economy, you cant expect a large heavy V8 to be fuel efficient.

• 

  Good Times - 2007 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Steve - March 19 - 1:57 pm

  I bought this car at one of my companys auctions. It has been a great car. Very fun to drive. Edmunds talks about the lack of power. But this car really has plenty of pep. The car is solid compared to the Solstice and Sky models. In addition, the car has far more features than the GM and most of the other import convertibles. You cant beat the price of a used Crossfire. Bang for the buck, it is the best two seater on the market.

• 

  ok car - 1997 Chrysler Cirrus
  By red - March 18 - 6:32 pm

  First off this car is NOT for some one who wants to do the work themselves. I have had it 10 years and had to have the trans seas repaced and a $1000 sensor. Brakes are bad I would say all in all for a car that is 12 yrs old it has been above average. It still is peppy

• 

  Wish I didnt buy - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Dr.Arnold - March 17 - 10:00 am

  Lemon. That is how I describe my red sebring convertable. The check engine light came on after one week. Was "fixed" and came on again the following week. They ordered a part, and asid it was safe to drive. In the mean time 3 complete electrical failures. the 3rd one after it was "fixed" again. And a broken RPM gauge to boot. 4th time in the shop and nothing fixed yet. And so far no satisfaction from Chrysler! Dont buy!

• 

  Most bang for your buck - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By BeachDriver - March 16 - 6:29 pm

  After hours of internet research and days of test driving vehicles, I finally purchased the Pacifica. Im so happy with this crossover, or is it a small minivan? Nobody really knows what to call it, but I call it awesome! Its so luxurious, sometimes I forget Im not driving a high end sedan. It rides smooth, my 3 kids fit in it comfortably as well as my husband and I with room for our baggage. Posh extras like 1st and 2nd row heated seats make it truly the best bang for your buck. The only con I can think of is its hard to see the lower part of the road clearly when you back up, so be sure to check behind you before you get in. I really love this car.