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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  Pacifica in NYC - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By bklynboy - May 13 - 10:00 am

  Having two toddlers, I was looking into an MDX truck or Honda Odyssesy Minivan. Unfortunately, I opted for the new Chrysler Pacifica--it looks better than it drives-I also got more for my money than a foreign car--so I thought! I get alot of "whats that car?" Little do they know- After an extra $7,000 on the top of the MSRP I thought I hit a homerun. Well it was a foul ball....Let me begin. It bottoms out, can not see rear view parking-mirrors should adjust, as there should be a camera in the rear for parking into my navigation system, this "crossover" is eating my gas with no power.

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  NEW OWNER - 2001 Chrysler LHS
  By big gal - May 13 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my LHS a couple months now and so far I love it! I did get a manufacturers recall to replace some bolts on the drivers seat but other than that, so far so good!

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  2004 Pacifica Personal Experience Review - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Alexander Rivera - May 7 - 2:00 am

  The 2004 Chrysler Pacifica handles well on the road and off-road. The comfort of the vehicle is phenominal except for the last row seating leg room, and its interior amenities are quite impressive.

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  Reliable car---(hint)---take care of it! - 1995 Chrysler Cirrus
  By happy hoosier - May 6 - 2:00 am

  Very good car for the dollar! I bought it with 54,500 miles in 2000. About 66,000 miles tie rods went out but I was lucky I wasnt going 70 mph. with regular oil changes I believe it to be a great car. Does have a problem with acceleration....takes too long for shifting gears and red lines too long (i.e. going 50 mph to 75 mph)

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  comfort and spacious interior - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By marianne - May 4 - 9:43 am

  I have been the owner of 3 SUV in the past 5 years. Now I enjoy all the comfort of a SUV in a smaller vehicle. Its interior design is futuristic and fashionable. Its seats are very comfortable and easily adaptable. I really appreciate its loading capacity, which allows me to carry big suitcases as well as my children´s musical instruments.

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  Fun, but ... - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Computerguru - May 1 - 5:36 am

  My wife and I bought this car brand new, but it has had problems ever since and Chrysler refuses to cover them. Wheel bearings and control arm bushings went out at 36,700 miles, BEFORE the tires. It also has a stalling problem, that nobody seems to be able to figure out. I will not buy another Chrysler. Thats for sure..

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  Still Going Strong - 1995 Chrysler Sebring
  By sjh1400 - May 1 - 2:00 am

  This has been a great car. I have 193000 miles and its still going strong.

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  A Car to Grow Old With - 1995 Chrysler Concorde
  By westminister - April 28 - 2:00 am

  Excellent car with all the creature comforts. I have the LXi (3.5l, leather, etc...). Smooth ride, easy handling, loads of room, a joy to drive! A little noisy in the cabin, but not bad.

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  2005 Crossfire Ltd Roadster - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By bsblair - April 25 - 6:26 pm

  Sure is nice to have a car with torque, 2 A4s, turbo 4 w/ quattro, great cars, but no acceleration 0-30. Bought a roadster, cant wait for warm weather to drop the top. Room for more ammenities, but that would just drive up the cost. My wifes RX-8 has it beat for handling, but this car is more for cruising, with the top down.

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  Big Ride for $ - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Richard - April 25 - 11:13 am

  A really big bang for the money. Great style, presence, and performance. Very nice 23MPG during easy highway cruising. Great radio, GPS, and sports like handling and large interior space.Appeals to board range from youth to CEO.