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 New Graduation Present - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By PCWOODALL - November 29 - 10:00 am

  I just bought my Pacifica yesterday and I just love it! I find that it is perfect for my family with us traveling alot to soccer games. I like how it feels like driving a car even though we are sitting up higher than most cars. It is more aerodynamic than the boxy looking SUVs. I feel much safer driving it because of all the safety features.

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  Everything but gas mileage - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By heelsfans - November 29 - 10:00 am

  If they build a hybrid of this car, I will never own another make or model. Love this car, its handling, its appointments and the thoughtfulness of the design.

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  We like it! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Lloyd Mims - November 29 - 10:00 am

  We wanted an SUV to complement the Lincoln Town Car we also have. However, all the SUVs we looked at were uncomfortable or not luxurious enough (unless they were very expensive). The Pacifica is somewhat like an old-fashioned "station wagon." It is easy to get in and out of but it sits higher on the road that a regular car. It is luxurious and comfortable and give good performance with adequate gas mileage. We like it!

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  Fun to drive - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By jlucy - November 29 - 10:00 am

  I thought I was going to buy an SUV until I test drove the PT Cruiser Turbo. It is a blast to drive! The model that I bought happened to be loaded with options, and I am enjoying everyone of them. I love the solid, retro feel to the interior and the quick pickup on the road.

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  XF - eXtreamly Fantastic - 2007 Chrysler Crossfire
  By erzer - November 29 - 9:11 am

  A highly under rated car by many people simply because of the Chrysler name. This car handles very well in the curves and with the auto shifter, its very easy to downshift when needed. Average MPG is 25 highway mostly. This is my daily driver, but stock tires (Contis) are not good on any snow, wet driving is good youll need better tires if driving in winter conditionsrims are staggered but you can go with staggered tires if you can find the right ones. Costs for avg buyers to think about - high profile tires, premium fuel, 100% synthetic oil (only change every 7k). Overall, this car is worth the money and Id say undervalued.

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  Good so far! - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By jpassare - November 28 - 7:14 pm

  I purchased my 07 Sebring new, and put 25K miles in one year. In this time it only needed one minor fix to the trunk release. I have the 2.4l 4 cyl, and no issues with pep. Im a bit surprised by some reviews that report lack of pep. I travel a lot, and have driven many rental cars with 4 cyl. engines. I dont think any of them have as much go or more power than my Sebring. On the highway its quite and handles far better than I expected for the price I paid. On one recent highway trip I got 35 mpg doing mostly 70 mph. My only concern is if Chrysler will stay in business to honor the life time power- train warranty that came with my car for no extra cost!

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  Unbelievable Value and Reliablity - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Beedle of VA BCH - November 27 - 10:29 pm

  Excellent value for the money. Bought this car 12/05 and have over 33000 miles on it. Excellent reliability. Absolutely no problems. Ride is even better since Contis replaced with Goodyear tires. The 300C compares favorably with my wifes new 2008 Cadillac STS.

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  Road Machine - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By geezer51 - November 27 - 10:00 am

  Very pleased with this car. Comfortable on long trips and has plenty of power.

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  Love it - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Mark - November 27 - 3:50 am

  Hoped it would get a little better gas mileage (averaging 19 city 23 highway), but that is only thing Ive found that isnt a ten. Brings me back to the old days of big Detroit Iron that feels good to drive. That and the constant compliments make this the best car Ive purchased in two decades.

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  Middle age no crisis - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By 1hot6 - November 26 - 6:34 pm

  I traded in an 06 Mustang, show car, for my 04 Crossfire in March 08. While I honestly do miss some of the Mustangs personality I absolutly love my Crossfire! This vehicle surpasses any other car Ive owned to include a BMW z3. Its not the fastest but then again who really is?! The car handles flawlessly and Ive found myself pushing upwards to 80mph on back country twisties. It gets looks everywhere I go and best of all there arent a lot of them around unlike the "me-too" Mustangs. Only problem was my own doing as I put an aftermarket exhaust which causes occasional vibration/resonnance but the car sounds like it should for the looks. Its destined to be a classic! No more built after 2008