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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  Love My Sebring - 2006 Chrysler Sebring
  By Melody23402 - November 2 - 10:24 am

  I love this car. Always wanted a convertible but they were out of reach cost wise. This was an excellent purchase.

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  Go out and buy one!!!!!! - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By jnelson - November 1 - 10:00 am

  We recently bought a Sebring Convertible GTC.. Amazing!!! Wonderful to drive and looks great!!! Punch the accelerator and you go. Make sure you get the V6. It makes a huge difference. Oh, and make sure you get leather seats!!! Wonderful. My wife and I are in love with the Sebrign GTC

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  My 2nd 300 - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Henry - November 1 - 5:40 am

  Found a fully loaded demo at a good price. Had a 1999 300M which I loved and wasnt sure I would like the C as much as the sportier looking M. Wrong, I just love this car and if it performs like the old one (or better) I am a happy camper. The ride is so smooth, and the poer of the Hemi when you want it is fantastic. Very comfortable driving and as passenger (not in that seat too often though). Have the satellite, GPS, VES, etc. and complete the comfort of the drive. Only complaint I had was from passenger in back due to viewing out front.

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  Cruising Couple - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By southerngal - October 29 - 10:00 am

  We are enjoying this convertible immensely. Bright red with a taupe top, we turn heads wherever we go. Everytime I get into this car, I just feel pure delight. We had a 1992 Mustang convertible that was also a head turner, but this car is luxurious, spacious and a joy to drive.

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  300 C lassic BLISSNESS - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Mrs Chrys Smith - October 27 - 5:53 pm

  Very comfortable for extra tall people due to extra leg room. Excellent acceleration in must move situations. Interior carpet could have been of a higher quality as for the back window area the fabrick lining rear window could have been of a highter quality. Body style is to die for. Classy must be what th "C" stands for.

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  No CD - pretty bad! - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Johan Keet - October 27 - 3:18 pm

  I bought the Pacifica Limited edition and did not want the entertainment system since we have no children. We listen to CD and radio. All our previous Chrysler products had radio &CD /casette players. When we received it and we could not find the CD player, the dealer was quick to point out we did not buy the entertainment package...wow. sirus radio does not play the music we listen. On the open road FM radio is not always good. Now we need to purchase an external device to rip our CD too. Interesting that Honda, Toyota and all other manufacturers does have CD players as a Standard. Chrysler, you caught me on this one but unfortunately I will tell everybody about this bad move! 02/09/2017 Chrysler claims their 2017 Pacifica will give one +- 19 mpg in-town, up to 29 mpg for highway driving with an average of 22-23 mpg combined. I bought my new Limited edition Pacifica van in December 2016. The vehicle is very nice but the gas mileage sucks. In town with no stop and go traffic and with no traffic and driving slow and no hard braking or hard acceleration, I get 13 -15 miles per gallon. I took the vehicle on two road trips where only my wife and I were in the vehicle not loaded. We drive a 3-hour trip to a remote town ( no hills or wind at 70 mile/hour) and three hours back home the same way we went and the gas mileage was 21.5 miles per gallon. So far I have to fill up the Pacifica two tanks of gas / 500 milles-- a tank 18 Gallons. My average gas miles for these trips (town 10% of mileage and Highway 90%) were and is +- 15 to 16 miles/gallon. I have 1150 miles on the vehicle and Chrysler insist that only after the third oil change the vehicle gas mileage will get better ....wow...third oil change( 15000 miles). This vehicle is a gas guzzler and nearly as fuel inefficient as my 2002 V8 Dodge Durango. I cannot get Chrysler or the dealers to move and fix the van. If I listen to You Tube videos, everybody raves about the good gas mileage they get from theirs or the test Pacifica. What must I do????

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  Excellent Car - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Doug in Florida - October 25 - 11:46 pm

  I cant say enough good things about the PT Cruiser. I drive an 04, and we were so happy with it we purchased my wife an 07. The car is excellent, a great tradeoff of comfort, utility and economy. The fold down seats and interior room allow us to carry just about anything we need. I purchased an 8 countertop at Home depot, folded down the seats pushed the countertop in and closed the hatch. Mileage not the greatest, but still good. My wife and I both get about 24 city and 30 - 31 highway. My 04 has 98,500 miles and has been trouble free. Daughters boyfriend just purchased an 08 PT based on what he saw with ours.

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  Best ragtop for cost/benefit available - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By ckgrick - October 23 - 10:00 am

  Have had a 2005 GT 5 speed convertible since May 2004. Ive had as well as driven a number of ragtops and this is by far the best one. Time will tell, but right now the car is quiet at highway speeds (unlike the Chrysler Sebring), an accomplishment. This car is just plain fun to drive with power to spare. Rear seat is real and not just for kids or people you dont like.

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  What a Car !!! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Jack M - October 23 - 10:00 am

  During the LONG wait for mine to arrive, I checked all the competitors - none came close, regardless of sticker price. The technology is great. Doesnt corner quite as good as my Mini Cooper S, but its amazingly close !!! With 3K miles, its running 25.5 mpg on the highway (18-19 in town). Mine is "Deep Lava Red Pearl Coat" - if you havent seen a red one, you need to - its gorgeous. Driving the car is the best part. I got caught in a heavy rain storm on the interstate, doing 70 mph - the wind and rain didnt even phase it... I love this car !!!!

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  Best of Both Worlds - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Bobby O. - October 22 - 12:53 am

  I am a musician, and I need a vehicle that can carry a lot of gear. My worn out van was at the end of its life and I was tired of getting no better than 15 MPG. I tested many mid-size SUVs, and there are several good choices if you want a rugged "off road sporty" type of vehicle. But I wanted something that could handle my cargo needs, drive like a true luxury car, provide lots of power with a smooth comfortable ride, has a stylish look and at a reasonable price. The Pacifica is all that and more. If you need a vehicle that can handle your big family, and/or some decent cargo loads, plus a smooth ride, lots of bells and whistles and some "get up a go", this is the one!