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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  Why drive anything else - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By KimPgh - April 17 - 9:31 pm

  This is my 2nd Pacifica. First one had many upgrades. I got the Limited AWD this time. Only thing missing is the kitchen sink. Chrysler improved the engine with the 4.0. It has great pickup vs 2004, has better gas mileage too. Passenger windows are same grade as the windshield keeps outside noise to a min. Love the DVD w/wireless headphones(no tangling). People in front can listen to their favorites on beautiful stereo system, with subwoofers. Nicer design on the outside. The Pacifica says move over. 4700 lbs of safety for my family. Suede and leather heated seats are a must. You can adjust everything to your liking. Looking forward to this car on long trips. This is the meaning of true luxury

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  2005 Crossfire Review (Ltd. Roadster) - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By thtouch - April 17 - 9:03 am

  This is a truly awesome machine.It drives and feels like a true Sports Car. I get lots of looks and it is truly amazing how the car feels to drive, even With (Auto-Stick).

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  My 4th Pacifica - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Wendy - April 16 - 11:05 pm

  My first Pacifica was bought back by Chrysler after 3 mo. The next one had minor problems and traded it in after 1 yr. 3rd one, Touring was great. Lease was almost up and with Chrysler push forward program, I got into a new one earlier. I went for the Limited with everything. I especially love the 4.0 engine. What a ride. The 07 is by far the best one yet.

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  Worth a Look - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By Gunner - April 16 - 2:25 pm

  Ive had this car for about a week and I am pleasantly surprised. The touring model has tons of standard features that are options in other cars.

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  Happier Than When I First Bought - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Annette Brady - April 15 - 8:42 pm

  I just returned from three months in Florida and am happier than my first report. Car averaged 18 mpg. for local driving. and 25.7 on the trip back to Ohio. Driving in the South you have to atay at 80+ to keep from being run over. Car is a dream on the road!!

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  nice Cruiser - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By campbell - April 13 - 8:00 am

  Well the quality of the PT Cruiser surprised my wife and me, we have taken a few trips and the ride was very good and the gas performance was not that great at first, but the more the cruiser is driven the better gas mileage it is getting.

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  Home Run - 2007 Chrysler Aspen
  By Princeton, NJ - April 12 - 1:05 pm

  I transitioned to Chrysler several years ago via several company cars and manufacturers failed to live up to the design and quality I was experiencing with Chrysler. Well, once again Chrysler has done it! I have the 28J package in the Pearl Black and have already received several positive comments about the look. It drives flawlessly and there is plenty of room to fit my 65" frame along with the rest of the family. The interior design is quality, leaps and bounds above the competition in addition to the 20 inch wheels along with Hemi put the Escalade, Navigator, and Denali series to shame. Chrylser needs to advertise more and get the word out they have a winner!

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  We Love Our Hemi! - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By hickory - April 10 - 10:56 pm

  Weve only had the car for 12 days,and cant say enough good things about it. Its whisper-quiet, smooth over the bumps, has great amenities, and it looks great! Gas mileage has been in the low 20s, including time sitting in the driveway reading the manual & figuring out the gadgets. The navigation system is light-years better than our 2004 Town & Country (guess we need to update our disc for it). Love the EVIC with its multitude of informative screens and its easy-to- set "personal settings" option. Rain-sensing windshield wipers are excellent (a feature weve never had before); roomy trunk is terrific; all the "toys" are lots of fun (and helpful). Cant beat the Hemi!

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  Pacifica a winner - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By beaubear - April 10 - 2:00 am

  The new Chrysler Pacifica is a perfect blend of performance, safety, reliablity, sophisticated styling and luxury. We recently replaced a 99 VW Passat and couldnt be happier with the choice. It is especially nice on longer road trips, as it rides smoothly and has a lot of room for luggage. I think the exterior styling is stunning as well. Sort of looks like an angry, low slung, sure-footed mommymobile.

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  Hot Little Car - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By MRWizard - April 10 - 2:00 am

  Straight from the factory this car is FUN!! Compared to the standard PT, the Turbo handles better, stops faster, and has such features as antilock brakes, traction control, sport seats, 17" wheels, and of course, a very impressive engine. From shopping malls to car rallies, this is a car does it all. A comment recently made to me sums up my feeling about the PT Turbo. I was recently at a "luxury" dealership, surrounded by 50,000 dollar plus cars. One very stately looking gentleman walked over to me and said: "Boy, that is some car". Boy, was he was right! By the way, if you buy one of these cars, you had better get use to the attention it draws.