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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  Newbie - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By juanvg - January 10 - 10:00 am

  I just boguth it two weeks ago and I just love it!!! its really fun to drive and comfortable in long trips, I already put 1000 miles on it first week just trying to enjoy it and test it too. Only one complain, and want to hear from somebody else with the same problem. the Fuel economy is really bad, not a bit close to the window sticker, 245 miles per tank on highway, isnt that awful??? that is like 16mpg. incredible, Im planning in take it to the dealer to check on it.

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  Gota luv it - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By ellimac - January 10 - 10:00 am

  Ive not had one problem in the two years that I have had by car. I love it, and I recive so many compliments when ever I drive it.

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  PT Convertible GT = FUN!!! - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By PlumCrazy - January 10 - 10:00 am

  This car is FUN. When I saw top down I grinned. When I drove with the top down I SMILED. Turbo has good Punch. AutoStick can keep turbo spun-up for quick dose of power. AutoStick is good him/her combo. Handling/Ride tuned for good touring car, tight not jaw rattling. Desceptively roomy small car. Top is a snap 10 sec up/down. Top is quiet and good tight fit. Smartglass windows makes for good seal when doors are closed, no wind noise or leaking. When top up cant tell its a convertible, except rear slit/window. Want visibility and MPG get the 150 hp hardtop.

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  worth the wait. - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By barcellos - January 10 - 10:00 am

  solid on the road, quiet on the inside easy to manuever. agile and easy to put it on the road where it is safer.

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  Best American car since the 1950s - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Chrome57 - January 10 - 10:00 am

  I just traded in a 2000 Saturn L-series for the 300C. Looking back at the old window sticker of the Saturn, I realized I paid only 7K less than I did on the 300C--that number would decrease with inflation. A small difference in money can really buy you a car thats light years ahead of anything else on the market. This car offers so much style, performance, and value that I couldnt even consider another car.

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  Love my 300C - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By rprince - January 10 - 10:00 am

  Love the car, but after a week+, some warts showed up. Like flimsey rear fender liners and lower rear fenders. All plastic and they are, shall we say, flexible. I took the front license bracket off and the front bumper is all plastic also. Wonder if it could survive a .5 mph crash? Power, styling, and build quality seem very good otherwise. Interior is very quiet. Mines loaded, and I love the nav system. Bought a new bluetooth phone and the UConnect system works great! Buy one before theyre all gone!

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  Few Minor Probs--wife & I fight to drive - 1999 Chrysler LHS
  By pec - January 9 - 9:43 am

  Our favorite car ever. Have had same probs as others here with trans sensor, oxy sensor, headolight rubber. I have gotten really good mileage though-- 27mpg local and up to 32.5 highway. This was from time of purchase to about 70K mi--now unexpectedly the mileage has dropped and only getting 25 local and 28 hwy.

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  Awesome ride - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By 300C4Me - January 8 - 8:16 pm

  I love the styling, performance and best of all its priced right. Waited many years for an American car that "I had to buy". This one was worth the wait.

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  Great Crossover - 2008 Chrysler Pacifica
  By 2nd Pacifica - January 8 - 1:48 pm

  I bought a 2004 Pacifica AWD when they came out. Great crossover! My family and I have driven all over the U.S. no problems. Lots of cargo space. Just traded in on a 2008 because of all that is on it unlike Ford/GM. A lot for the money. Sorry that Chrysler is not going to continue building them.

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  Sunset Boulevard Street Edition Rocks! - 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Karen - January 8 - 1:53 am

  This is my second PT. My first met with an untimely end and other than a few colorful bruises and sore spots I survived. My 2002 Limited didnt. Im so very impressed with these vehicles I bought another to replace my still missed PT. But it was meant to be. Because the PT I just happened to find tucked away in this private dealership is ONE of the 500 that were made. Yep, I got one. I have a Sunset Boulevard Street Edition PT Cruiser. This car is gorgeous! And its mine, mine, mine!!