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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  My First American Car - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By architect.ed - March 14 - 10:16 pm

  I fell in love with the styling, read all the automotive magazine reviews and found an early model for sale in Florida while visiting my dad. I bought the car without a test drive, and was actually worried that maybe I wouldnt like it as much as the reviewers did. No fear, I love this car, for its versatility, driving ease, and comfort. Had it now 5 years and no problems - none. Still tight and solid feeling. Poor gas milage (22mpg average) is my only complaint. I hope that I can keep it another 5 years, but worry a bit about long term reliability issues of most American cars. It is not a German car but certainly better than I expected.

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  Fire the interior designers - 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
  By T2 - March 13 - 11:12 am

  It is impossible to know what the interior designer were thinking when the decided on the selection of colors for the interior. WHITE (Alloy) for a steering wheel and the door sills. This is a family vehicle, that means kids in and out - these sills will be dirty and scuffed very quickly. Also no grey choices, just brown, white and balck (seats only). Last item is the fact that it can not town ANYTHING not even a bike rack......

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  Better than my last car - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Dave - March 12 - 1:56 pm

  Ive had the car for 6 months now and it has only had one problem, it needed a new wiring loom in the drivers door. I traded in an 05 RWD Magnum to buy the Pacifica after I had a multitude of problems with the Dodge ESP system that dragged the car to the right. I think the overall impression I have is that its a good, solid car that is pretty comfortable and does the job I want it to. I would like to see a V8 option on the engine list and a five speed auto stick box, this would improve the gas mileage from my current 20.1 mpg. Maybe even a turbo diesel engine option would be a good idea for those long trips on the interstate? Having now tried the AWD in the snow, Im still very satisfied.

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  PT mania - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By dr X - March 12 - 10:00 am

  My vehicle has had 5 serious defects. Quality control should be tighter.

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  Shape up Detroit - 1997 Chrysler Concorde
  By Siwel - March 12 - 2:00 am

  This car is a trojan horse. Nice car on the surface but has a number of potiental problems waiting to happen. I have spent $800.00 on a/c repair so far.The blower just went out and I was quoted $600.00 for that repair. The sun visor clips both snaped. Please build something that is made to last. The car is not cheap, so I expect some durability. I take great car of my car,but there is only so much I can do. Stop giving americans beautiful garbage to drive.

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  Chrysler 300m - 2001 Chrysler 300M
  By chryslernomore - March 10 - 2:00 am

  The car is big enough for a family yet sporty enough to appeal to the eye. I have had small problems since the first month however. The brakes squeak, the rubber lining around the door fell off and with only 32,000 miles on the car, the entire wiper arm on the drivers side just broke off. Twice in the summer when I started the car nothing electric would work, not the windows, not the air conditioner, radio, etc. I turned off the car and restarted it and everything came back on.

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  Still looks (& drives) good after 5 yrs. - 1998 Chrysler Sebring
  By divinemsm - March 7 - 2:00 am

  My Sebring convertible has held up rather well, aside from a couple of minor body dings. When its cleaned and waxed, it still looks great. And it runs and handles very well. So far Ive had to replace only two things: (1) a tire that took a nail in the sidewall at 9,000 miles (2) I just had to replace the original battery after a spell of very cold weather. Ive owned 3 Chrysler convertibles in the past 17 years (1 bought as a repo, 2 bought new), and this one is the best- built yet. Im not planning to buy a new car for a couple of years, but Ill have to look at Sebrings again if I decide to buy another ragtop.

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  Initial checkride - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By k9fto - March 6 - 9:16 am

  We traded an Isuzu rodeo for this car and are very happy. The car/suv rides very nice and the fit and finish are much, much better than any other american offering. The mileage is good and the engine feels strong. Only complaint is the view down the right side of the car since the rear end is cavernous. There is room to spare with the 3rd row of seats lowered. I lug around sports gear for kids and this thing is a joy to load and unload. The small touches done on the inside are nice and the dash is clean and easy to read.

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  A great company car - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By dave l - March 3 - 10:00 am

  We bought this car after driving Subaru, Ford Explorer, Buick Rendevous, and looking at Honda Pilot. I think we made the best decision buying the Pacifica. WE have 7000 miles in less than 6 weeks, and it has performed flawlessly. A great new car!!

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  I love my Cirrus - 1999 Chrysler Cirrus
  By Smitty615 - March 3 - 2:00 am

  On the whole, I love this car.The only problems I have had have been the sun roof getting locked up whenit was open, and having the front seat bolts come loose, causing the seat the wobble. Both occurred while car was still under warranty. Driving the car is a pleasure, though I do not get the gas mileage others have reported.