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 Fun to Drive - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Big Chuck - June 10 - 2:42 pm

  This is my second Pacifica with even more refinements and comforts than my first one. I love the handing, performance and safety features. I like the feel of sitting up higher than an ondinary sedan and performance is fine with the 4.0 L six.

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  Outstanding - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By IronMedic - June 8 - 10:57 am

  I have owned so many cars but not like this one. This is truly an amazing car. I felt it was impossible to own a v8 and get 4 cyl gas mileage but this car proved it otherwise. I drove 150 hwy miles on a quarter tank at about 70mph. Interior is very refined and very comfortable. Road noise is very low. This is my favorite car. I cant wait to work on it!

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  A super car for a small amount of cash - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By a car fan - June 8 - 10:00 am

  Here in the Netherlands cars are very expencive because tax you must pay. The new Chrysler Sebring is a cheap car here (€ 40.000). Nothing compares with this car and price.

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  Why did they quit making these? - 2001 Chrysler 300M
  By patman - June 8 - 9:09 am

  Chrysler worked for years to perfect this car and once they did it they dump it and go to the 300C. Go figure. I keep thinking its time for a new car Im that way but when I take this car for a drive, I lose the urge to look for something new. I will be getting another car soon but Ill be keeping my 300M.

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  Duly Impressed - 2007 Chrysler Aspen
  By Houston Midtown - June 6 - 4:45 pm

  Love the power. Starts very quickly. Brakes were a little soft at the beginning until I backed down a hill at 10 mph and applied the brakes. Sound system is awesome. Drives very tight and responsive.

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  Its not a minivan! - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Hanne - June 4 - 8:17 pm

  I really like driving my Pacifica. Its great for scooting around town or long trips out of state. It is easy to get the kids in and out and they enjoy the ride also. Its a great vehicle for the mom that doesnt want to be a minivan mom. It rides fantasticly and the buffeting noise is an easy fix with a small adjustment in any window.

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  Chrysler steps up - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By justsaynotominivans - June 4 - 10:00 am

  After a heavy look and test drive of the Volvo X90, my wife and I were almost upset at ourselves because we loved the Pacifica so much. Chrysler we thought? Hey thats what our grandparents would buy. Boy were we surprised. I felt german influence as soon as I stepped in it. Once we test drove them both, it was hands down Pacifica. More for the $$ we thought. We got it loaded, and our two little ones in the back are living (sitting) like kings. Love the RCA inputs- My 15gig Ipod Rocks on the stereo! Wife loves the auto liftgate and sunroof.

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  New Pacifica is Terrific - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Dejazra - June 4 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle has been all that I expected. It performed wheel on a summer trip from Birmingham to Myrtle Beach. Quiet and smooth.

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  Wow, what a pleasant surprise! - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By garbo@foxvalley.net - June 4 - 10:00 am

  This is our first Chrysler since 1992 and what a difference a decade makes! This car is one incredible value. We paid just about $27,500 after rebate for a decked-out Limited. This easily beats our Mustang convertible by miles. It has a much nicer interior and is free from the shake and rattles seen in our Mustang. The gas mileage has been excellent and the trunk space is superb for a convertible. Its great being able to haul around 4 decent size people too. The Mustang back seat and truck are not in the same league. This car is relatively cheap to insure too!

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  Best car experience weve ever had - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Hemi Beauty - June 3 - 6:29 am

  We researched this vehicle extensively before buying and it has lived up to our expectations. It is very comfortable to drive long distances which we do and for highway driving gas consumption is reasonable. The power of the Hemi engine is fabulous for passing or to get away from tail-gaters. The Boston Acoustic sound system makes plain sitting in the car to listen to music a new use for the family car. Operational reliability has been excellent with no mechanical problems. Original tire wear has been excessive but tires have been replaced with higher wear rating ones. The car looks great and we still enjoy owning and using it after nearly three years.