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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  Awesome Ride! - 2003 Chrysler Concorde
  By STB - June 1 - 10:44 am

  This car has been driven from Indiana to Niagra Falls and to Tennessee and back two times. This car is a joy to drive. In fact, it drives so easily, you can drive it with one finger on the wheel. The trunk space on this car is unbelievable. The 3.5 liter V-6 in this car has the feel of a V-8 when you stand on the gas to get up to freeway speeds. I am going drive this car until it dies.

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  Love the car - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Ronald R. Rode - May 31 - 6:40 pm

  I have really liked the auto. I have two 2006 300C. Traded because I liked the color Red, also on this auto I got everthing in the book on it. Very pleased!

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  Best Kept Secret - 2007 Chrysler Aspen
  By Data Diva - May 31 - 2:54 pm

  I bought this SUV after falling in love with one that my sister has. It is worth a test-drive so that you can erase the stereotypes about Chrysler/Dodge. Both the exterior and interior are superb, and it seems as if they have practical engineers on the job who designed the car for everyday cost-consciuos people who want an SUV to envy! The features in the Aspen make it worth way more than its cost. The features rival those of pricier car-makers but with a no-frills price. As a VP in marketing, I believe the Aspen was created to boost Chryslers SUV appeal, so they put all these top features as a repositioning campaign and more folks need to discover the secret.

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  Love this car - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By R. Armer - May 28 - 7:21 pm

  The finest car I have ever purchased. The comfort, performance and styling is perfect. Fuel economy is great and the car is a joy to drive.

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  Crossfire On Target! - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Bateleur - May 28 - 10:00 am

  Chryslers done a marvelous job bringing its concept car to production; very few significant details were changed. Mercedes build-quality is evident throughout.

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  great - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By gary hoven - May 28 - 10:00 am

  I think that this car is great it will be one of the cars to buy this year. and for years on. great design and great mileage.

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  New Car Review - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By summerawn65 - May 28 - 10:00 am

  This car really rocks. Its been a love affair from the first time we seen one. Even my kids love this car. Great family vehicle with a wonderful design. I just cannot say enough about this car.

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  Mommys Soccer Wagon - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Kurtt - May 28 - 10:00 am

  Looked at all others incl. Lexus, BMW, Mercedes, Acura & Infinity and Pacifica offered the most, by far, for the money. Bought fully loaded with the exception of the full sized spare and bargained hard at end of month. Chrysler has poorly marketed the car and they are sitting at the dealers so they will bargain. Wife wanted Pacifica most and we both are delighted. Perfect car to tote the kids around, no prolems and feel the fit and finish of the car is great. Biggest reason we chose this car was the safety ratings, very solid.

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  Ugly Little Car - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By dsundancer - May 28 - 10:00 am

  Before my wife test drove one, she only refered to the PT as, "that ugly little car". When i was replacing MY car, she didnt think she even needed to test drive one as I would be the "primary driver". Now, i dont even bother to keep a key for it on my chain as its now, "HER ungly little car". We both love the ride and the power is adequate to any task we can even imagine...and we travel a lot. The seat flexibility is something Jeep could take a lesson from. It handles great, is quite spacious for even 5 and production quality and appointments are as good as it gets in this price range. PS: I now drive my wifes "old" car.

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  Awesome Cruiser! - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Linda Leake-Beard - May 28 - 10:00 am

  I have a 4 door 5 speed manual transmission. I have longed for one since I saw the very first one. This car has lots of power and if I do feel I need a boost, I can downshift and punch it and she really takes off. Funny thing, the factory sound system was pretty impressive also. I love the looks of the car, I like how you sit in it, up where you can see. All the controls are easily accessible. My cousin bought one the first year they came out. I dont even think he actually saw one before he ordered his. He hauls a trailer with it and he loves his as much as I do mine. His is also the 4 door 5 speed model.