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:

• 

  Best Car... Hands down! - 2012 Chrysler 300
  By stormrider091 - April 27 - 12:23 am

  This car is simply amazing... I read the reviews. 31 mpg, Halftime America... yeah yeah yeah. But this car has proven me wrong. Pentastar coupled with the new 8 speed tranny can best 25 mpg city and 40 on the highway when cruising and still as nearly 30 horsepower to pass by turtles when necessary. The insides are on par with ANY other luxury car. I have the S package with in my opinion looks bit better, bigger tires, blacked out grill and bezels in lights, paddle shifters, and bucket seats. But the limited is no slouch with standard leather and rearview camera. The ride is quiet. I just cant believe how well this car is put together. Premium cloth seats are truly premium!What a car!

• 

  A Pleasant Surprise - 2012 Chrysler 200
  By jce4 - April 17 - 9:29 pm

  When I started my search for a new car I was pretty sure I would end up with an Optima or Sonata. I had set my budget at 25K out the door (tax and tags included). I also made up my mind that I would drive all the comparable makes & models before I made a decision. The Chrysler 200 was not even on my list until I had driven the Optima and Sonata, found that I was not happy with the standard 2.4 liter engine and the 274hp turbo would not fit in my budget. It was the 3.6L V-6 that made me try the 200S. To my surprise it was the quickest, quietest and best handling of the bunch and it had the media center, etc. Price w/rebates? 21,510. Cant beat that - truly fun to drive.

• 

  Bought New - 2000 Chrysler Cirrus
  By floyd_p - April 11 - 7:54 am

  I purchased this car new in 2001. It currently has 125K miles on it and have probably spent maybe $1700 in maintenance over the last two years. Before that only tires, brake shoes and oil changes. This car has been surprisingly reliable and comfortable. I didnt expect to keep this car as long as I have but, it just keeps on going. Had a little annoying issues like passenger rear windown would not roll down for a few years then suddently it decided to start to work and hasnt stopped since. The only real beef with the car is where they put the drink holders. With the gear shift in park, you cant put anything larger than a soda can until you put it in gear. No CD player is the other.

• 

  Best car I have ever owned - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By jcuel - March 20 - 9:04 am

  I have owned my 2005 Sebring Limited since 2008 and its been the best car. I bought the extended warranty but never used it once. The only thing I had to do on it was the back end work which was costly and a heat shield fix. I sometimes think I would like to get a new car but I think why when its been so good to me. The leather seats are comfy and get better with age. To be honest I was shocked by the bad reviews, maybe its because I have the limited but I havent even had to replace the brakes yet and I have driven 50K on it over the past 4 years.

• 

  top notch - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By bigbob15 - March 18 - 9:05 pm

  i have 97k miles on it...only gave it 7 oil changes in 6 years..neva changed the brakes..car is like superman...lik literally..hwy miles..city miles..max out 115mph weekly...still runs like new

• 

  Great Handling Car - 2008 Chrysler Crossfire
  By sportcarman12 - March 17 - 5:32 pm

  we bought our Chrysler Crossfire Limited convertible in december 2010. I was amazed by the looks of the car & was impressed with the prefromance & handling. So far we have had no problems with the car but we change the oil every 3 thousand miles and you get better preformance if you use the best oil you can find. Yes on road trips the tires are loud but that doesnt matter because everything else about the car comprimises for the loud tires. we launch from 0-60 im 5.6 seconds & the breaking on the car is just amazing. Those of you who are looking for a very good sports car for a low price this would be the car for you. You can get the srt-6 used for 22k or get the regular for 15k-25k.

• 

  Best value - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By travis33 - March 17 - 4:14 am

  59,980 miles and not a single problem. $17 oil changes at the dealer and lifetime powertrain waranty. Compare even the oil changes to local Honda dealer at $39.99 and over a few years it will add up. I think a lot of the Pacifica owners are having issues with the 4 speed and the 3.5 liter. The 6 speed and the 4.0 have been flawless. Comfort is excellent as are the looks. Bought the car brand new and havnt had one regret. Probably buy another one soon, buick is getting old and I looked at the price of a 2008 Toyota Sienna $29,000, when a 2008 Pacifica is going for $13,000 with the same miles. No brainer.

• 

  Crysler 300 Limited - 2012 Chrysler 300
  By lenkivi - March 16 - 1:50 pm

  Have owned this beautiful car three weeks now. Went on a 350 mile round trip last week. On the way down,got 31.9 mpg. on the way back home,got 32.4 mpg. This car is remarkable,I love it! Comfortable,quite smooooooth riding! Will really put it to the test later when we will be traveling more than 2000 miles. I have no dought it will perform this trip with ease and comfort. After trying out many cars, I truely believe i have made the best choice possible. Will report back in when we get back from our long trip.

• 

  Lexus, Caddi Contender - 2012 Chrysler 300
  By drjoe4 - March 15 - 10:17 am

  Very nice job Chrysler! Now have driven 4500 miles, still awesome. Have owned Lexus ES350, Caddi STS, this car is better, believe it or not. Very nice, well put together interior, perfect fit and finish.

• 

  Love my 300 - 2001 Chrysler 300M
  By hollyberry206 - March 14 - 7:30 pm

  I bought my 300 in 2004 with 29K miles. No major problems in 8 years. In 2011, a bad oil change (at a shop) got me a rebuilt engine with 30K fewer miles than the blown one. Car now sits with 124K miles (so 94K on engine) I get an ave of 26 mpg - I Love this car! Driver seat has never heated for me (I didnt think about trying this when buying a 4 year old car in July, lesson learned). I have some rust inside the driver (lower) door and some around the sunroof, but no leaks. My son blew my front speakers a few years ago and Im researching their replacement now. I am planning on keeping this car for a long time yet - NO complaints here.