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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  To many times in the shop - 2001 Chrysler Voyager
  By otho - October 31 - 2:00 am

  I bought it with 45,000 on it and already have had a speed sensor go bad, alternator die, sterring linkage continous poping, and A/C compressor also go bad. I cannot rely on this van. I feel as if something else will go wrong. What is next?

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  Best Car Ive Owned to 212K miles! - 2000 Chrysler Grand Voyager
  By JustJim - October 28 - 9:30 am

  My faithful Dodge caravan will finally have to be replaced. It lasted 212,000 miles and over 10 years! I have hauled everything in this car, been stuck in it for up to 3 hours a day NYC driving, and driven it through 10 NY winters. It has been great. My wife owned one first and we kept that one for 140k miles. Air went at 180k on my car and 140k on hers. Thats about it. Cost about $8k less than the SUVs when I bought it, and have done everything from camp out of it to commute at 65 mph day in and day out. Kept me safe in one deer/car crash.

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  TOO MUCH ROAD NOISE!! - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By Paint Sales Rep. - October 26 - 1:00 am

  My 99 300M is a company car. I drive 700 to 900 miles a week. All in all its not a bad car. I have had no problems in the first 50,000 mi. I find the ride very hard. The seats too firm and far too much road noise. The sound system is great. Probably not the car I would buy if given the choice. But would not rule it out.

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  Conservative Show Off - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Don Yates - October 25 - 9:50 pm

  Everytime I return to my car in public parking there are people admiring it and asking questions. I say the car matches my personality. Aggressive, fast, yet highly sophisticated! People usually walk away at that point! I doubt Ferrari owners get this level of attention!

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  nice car - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By mkremedy - October 25 - 2:00 am

  I love everything about the car, except for the fuel economy and I wish the car had more engine power. I will buy a second one when this lease is over.

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  the best yet!!!!! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Daniela Rendon - October 24 - 10:50 am

  Overall this car is the best car yet!!! i am very satisfied with its exterior and interior looks. the only thing is that when stopped at a red light is sometimes shakes like it wants to turn off. that is something that others drivers have expressed as well to me.

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  2001Sebring LXI - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By MassMan - October 24 - 10:00 am

  Was able to buy it for about $100 less than TMV in 3/01, beginning of recession. Two problems with build quality: (i)the trunk leaked and it took them two tries to fix it (now its fine) and the rear window defroster broke (they fixed it right the first time). Since then, it is a lot of fun to drive! Powerful and grips the road very well. Big enough for three kids in back. 4-disc CD player works great. Blasting music with the top down, whether in traffic or on the open highway is still a thrill (Im 46). I look so happy that people talk to me at stop lights. Very glad to have it, recommend it highly.

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  Was my 2000 LHS... - 2000 Chrysler LHS
  By agent-e - October 23 - 2:00 am

  ...until my wife drove it. We absolutely enjoy this vehicle. Chrysler made the mistake to discontinue the name, LHS has more character than the sister car (although just as nice), the Concorde. It handles nice, rides wonderfully, has a great sound system. A great head turner...even had an 80+ year old lady comment on the chic style.

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  Best car weve owned! - 1997 Chrysler Cirrus
  By bob 2.0 - October 21 - 2:00 am

  The Cirrus LXI has been one of the nicest cars weve ever owned. Weve had relatively few problems with it, other than a few quirky issues around 50k. (the cruise control and the keyless entry had to be "reset" by the dealer). As I recall, we also had to have the water pump replaced, which seems to be a common problem.

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  Pacifica Limited Review - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Dennis Eaton - October 19 - 2:01 pm

  I was ready to buy a 2017 Pacifica Limited but had (2) issues: First, the Limited came with FALKEN tires, which are cheap Dunlops, while the Touring L, (2) models lower, had good Michelins. What gives here? Second, the Invoice stated the vehicle had a vacuum cleaner and remote opening doors, but these features were not on this unit. However, the MSRP was the same as if these features were included at $42,495. How can they charge you for things that arent on the vehicle? Otherwise, a very nice minivan.