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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  A Really Good Car ! - 2000 Chrysler Concorde
  By A Really Good Car - September 8 - 5:48 pm

  To support our retirements fixed income in May 2004 we paid cash and our 93 Jeep Cherokee for a dark-red Concorde LXi (tan interior) with 49000 miles. It was a great choice. With its peppy 3.2L V6 its a good looker and (even for me at 72) fun to drive. Its now 9 yrs old with 72000+ miles and hasnt given us any problems whatsoever. When we bought it we chose to replace its battery and tires, tinted its windows and have changed its oil every 3000 miles - nothing more - and today it still drives like a new car with reliability and very good fuel economy! The sole criticism is a higher level of road noise than it should have on an interstate. Other than that its a really good car.

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  Nice car - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Dennis - September 7 - 9:50 am

  My Pt is my go to school car. I drive 60 miles day, 40 miles interstate, 20 miles town driving, I average 28 to32 mpg at 65 mph and depending on the weather . I put a k and n air filter and bosch platinum spark plugs. This brought my mpg up 4 to 6 mpg. Love the looks and cargo space by folding up the back seats, you can haul a lot of stuff. I like the head room 4 adults can ride very comfortable, and I get around traffic easier.

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  A real hummer - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Champ - September 7 - 2:00 am

  The "roadability" matches anything I have driven. My wifes car is the 300M and my previous car was a Camero. The PT is more responsive than either and get up and go matches both. No blind spots and handling characteristics let you feel the road.

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  very pleased - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By misty 29 - September 7 - 2:00 am

  This car was purchased for my wife and was not my choice, however after living with her choice for over a year I am more then satisfied.

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  Too much fun - 2003 Chrysler 300M
  By wes - September 6 - 12:02 am

  Driving this car has been the a joy of a life time, the last time I had so much fun was in 1965 when I had a new Mustang fast back in Germany. Which can not compair to this rocket ship. The only problem I have had is that there is a left pull, and the front end shop says they cant set the caster, for there is no adjustments for it. The settings are reversed from what they should be (31/2 left 21/2 right. when I get this corrected I know I will be in love for sure.

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  am i just lucky? this is quite nice car - 2016 Chrysler 200
  By hunter - September 4 - 1:46 am

  have about 1 year with 16k on it. really no much complain about it. nice acceleration. so far so good. had visited the dealer once at 14k with some clunk noise and deal re-tightened some bolts or whatsoever. gas milage not good though (while I often floor it, as the rpm jumps to 6k).

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  GO LITTLE CRUISER - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Paul Suber - September 3 - 9:23 pm

  I had heard a lot negitives, however after much study I saw it compared to the Corolla, which I also own. My wife wanted one so I bit and do not regret it. It is so much fun, and great to drive. We plan to keep ours forever and pass down to grandkids. Thanks, Paul, Rita

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  My Rating of the Chrsyler 300 - 2008 Chrysler 300
  By My Fine 300 Cruiser - September 3 - 5:29 pm

  Bought car then set off for North Carolina. Handled great on freeways. Gas consumption above anticipated level. Great car to drive. Recommend it highly. Wife likes it, too! Go Chrysler...keep em coming

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  Love it! - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By al hum - September 2 - 7:40 pm

  The ride It is roomy, even with tripletts in car seats. The instrument panel is easy seen,and we love the memory seat and mirrors. And it is easy enter and exit the vehicle...like driving a "sports"van lots of room when third row seating not being used

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  Mercedes in a Chrysler - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Waldo - September 2 - 10:00 am

  After driving minivans my spouse was more than ready for this! I do not know from where Ron from OR was talking about. I think the strength of this auto is its handling ability. What a smooth ride. I would agree that even with the 6cycl. it needs a bit more pick-up. AND, after driving fish bowls for the past few years the visibility is not as good--bigger back window needed. Do adults ever seat in rear- rear seats?!