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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  super soft-top - 1998 Chrysler Sebring
  By bjnet - August 24 - 2:00 am

  a full 5 seater. very comfortable and reasonable performance. so far very reliable. car lives up to the promise of being a well priced easy to use convertible with no real drawbacks

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  Love it! - Except for gas mileage - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Dan - August 22 - 9:36 am

  We pretty much love the Pacifica except that we havent gotten more than 18 miles to the gallon in a year even though its sticker said 17-24.

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  i love my car - 1995 Chrysler LHS
  By tonya - August 21 - 2:00 am

  except for a broken ball joint and some a/c problems, this car has performed flawlessly.its a beautiful, sporty looking car and i always get 2nd looks in it. the interior makes me want to never get out. the infinity system is 2nd to none, just like my car!!!!

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  Consumer Report said dont buy a 2003 - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Karen - August 20 - 6:03 am

  Too bad I didnt find out until 3 years later! Replaced power steering pump, ABS is out, sensors burning out all over, replaced pricey turbo belts in first year, my dash looks like a Christmas tree with all the failure lights I have had to respond to. I love the car, but I hate the money I have to put into a car I am still paying for. Oh, and it has the turning radius of a brick. But love the look and heated seats and all the really fantastic extras -- a ton of room, really great for moving!

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  good but... - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By brettp - August 18 - 2:00 am

  great car, but, milage is not what they said it would be...I got an awd and on the hwy it gets only 17 mpg...not good. poor rear visabilaty, 3rd row seat a little small. if you lower the back windows over 45 mph you will have waffling sound(not good) poor rear visability

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  New Crossovers Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By ccjcac1 - August 18 - 2:00 am

  Seating fairly comfortable. Performance pretty good for such a heavy car with a V-6. Sound system excellent. Herky jerky acceleration. No storage space behind third row seating.

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  Pacifica a wonderful ride - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Willie9 - August 18 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my Pacifica for 2 months now and I have already clocked 7400 wonderful miles. Ride is excellent, 21 mpg is my best with 16 mpg being my worst. Power is very good.

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  Smile time - 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By j meisenbach - August 15 - 10:30 pm

  Wife picked this car out while driving by the dealership. Test drive was satisfactory, price was right, wife was right, traded my 97 Stratus ES. Overall, after a year, quite satisfactory. Bad fit on the doors, rowdy motor, so-so gas mileage, all disappear when the top goes down. Then its all grins (and compliments from bystanders).

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  Great car but quirky - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By AWarrick - August 15 - 2:00 am

  My 99 300M has been pretty good so far. Ive had my door window motor replaced and theres a distinct creaking in the front end, which goes away after the dealer lubes it but it returns within weeks. Ive had a lot of problems with front end shaking while braking from highway speeds and have had the brakes and rotors done with no change in the problem. I strongely suggest a nose bra for you highway drivers like me. I love the power and the upgraded stereo was worth the extra money. The gas mileage has been better than expected for a large car and Ive been averaging around 23mpg. I only run 93 octane as the engine knocks at 89 and 87.

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  My Pacifica - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By JoyvaH - August 12 - 8:03 am

  I love my Pacifica. It handles really nice and is great on wet or snowy roads. My only complaint are the blind spots caused by the high Beltline. My husband put Circle mirrors on my side mirrors so I could see whats next to me.