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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  2007 Chrysler Sebring 2.4L - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By Ted - June 28 - 3:04 pm

  My first full tank of fuel averaged me 37 mpg. That is way more than I expected. I like this car for its solid feel and good handling, inside trim, non glare dash, side air bags. I feel the seats are too small and too firm, the engineers should be required to test drive for at least a 300 mile trip and that would insure better and more comfortable seats. The engine is noisy going through gears while accelerating but at highway speeds I do not hear it. The trade off for the fuel economy is well worth it. Buy the car!

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  rave - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By cfire - June 27 - 2:00 am

  A show stopper that is a joy to drive.

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  Great Crossover Vehicle - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By atgigante - June 27 - 2:00 am

  I love the looks of this vehicle. Its fun to drive, very quiet and feels solid. Handles well in snow. The interior is elegant and so comfortable. The versatility sold me immediately. I got a great price deal (23400) and had to have it.

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  So far so good! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By mick0212 - June 27 - 2:00 am

  Just got my Pacifica, I have less than 1000 miles on it so far. Power is better than expected, and Ive gotten 19-20 mpg in 70/30 hwy driving. No glitches or defects so far, although I question how durable the power seats will be long term. Ride is very comfortable. Love the style and the high seating without the climb!

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  Great car! - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By shtief - June 26 - 10:00 am

  Great value in this price range. Nice low profile, good pick-up, fun to drive. Passengers in the back seat are out of luck...there is not much room back there, especially with a tall driver. Interior lighting is a bit strange, and the sun visors are essentially useless on the side windows.

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  Nice ride - 2002 Chrysler Concorde
  By Tony - June 25 - 12:04 am

  This car is fast and luxurious. Its fuel economy is great for a car of its size. Trunk space is so large you could get lost in there.

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  Chrysler 300 Limited - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By jack gibbons - June 22 - 11:03 pm

  Just took this vehicle to florida and back from Ohio. Great ride. Got a lot of nice comments aobut the car at rest stops and at gas stops.

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  New (04) Sebring Tour. Init. Impressions - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By kenitzer - June 22 - 10:00 am

  Purchased Sebring Tourning Convertible yesterday. Sapphire Blue over Sandlewood w/ Sandlewood Cloth Top. All options exc. ABS Tract Cont. Short list included Sebring, 04 Toy. Solara Conv. and 01 Saab 9-3 Conv. Sebring most attractive to my eye. Nice and roomy inside. Liked Solara, but rare as "hens teeth" and more expensive. Saab was fun to drive but reliablity concerns were an issue. We have had good luck with other Chrysler products in past which helped make the decision easier. I really like the Sebring styling, esp. the 04 models with the new grill design. While not a sports car, still fun to drive. Top down produces lots of smiles for the

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  the best - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By nas - June 22 - 10:00 am

  This is the best car i ever had. For the money you pay it is the best car you can purchase. I love it and recamend it to everyone.

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  Everyone loves the "C" - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By kaydepoo - June 22 - 10:00 am

  Men love it; woman love it...what a fun car! I have 3,000 miles so far and no regrets what-so-ever. This car is an attention grabber and drives fast, smooth, and operates with all the style that it illuminates.