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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  try the new AWD! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By jeff - October 9 - 8:30 pm

  Run flat tires are probably too firm. Nav and satellite radio are fantastic! Does not come with chrome wheels (RWD model does)

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  Awesome vehicle - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By barbara - October 9 - 12:33 pm

  I have wanted one of these since they first came out. I finally got one and it is the best!!!!!!! A sleek look with all the room of my old town & country van. I couldnt be happier

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  Cant wait until pay-off date - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Brokendisappointed - October 9 - 11:58 am

  I love this car-as long as everything is functioning properly (which isnt very often). The solenoid goes out every year, usually January or February. The sensors have minds of their own-my engine light is on more than it is off. I had to have a tranny overhaul this past February, as well as the solenoid replaced. Fuel economy is terrible, I dont give a damn what the specs say. The tranny pan gasket has been replaced twice. When the weather is cool/cold, there is a strange scraping noise coming from the rear axle.The seals on the headlight assemblies dry-rotted last year. Needs better sound barriers very noisy when driving. Nevertheless, I have no complaints about performance or handling.

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  Great Bang for the Buck! - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By jcvpw - October 7 - 5:11 pm

  This car has been fantastic. Cant complain about anything. Even the gas mileage for a 425 hp car is above average. I can get 23 mpg on the freeway on long trips. I am 68 and 300 lbs and this is the first car that I have owned that an adult can actually sit behind me while I am driving. If you are looking for a fun, fast, family car that competes with the Germans, take a look at this one.

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  Claustrophobic people shouldnt buy this - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Angel - October 7 - 2:53 pm

  I got my 2007 PT Crusier from a private car broker after I had got into a car accident in my 2000 Toyota Camry in Feb. Now Im a tall girl and my head hits the ceiling if I dont have the seats laid back. I am the claustrophobic type & since the ceiling also slants more down in the front that causes a problem for me too. The drive is a little more rough when I compare it to my old Camry. The PT does not have little cubbies like my Camry did and you sit very high up in the car to the point that you think youre driving a truck. The back seats have great head room though but the leg room is quite small. Its December now and Im trading in my PT. Hopefully tomorrow cause Im sick of driving it.

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  2nd pac awd - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By k.a.hulewicz - October 7 - 2:23 pm

  This is the 2nd awd. The touring awd was almost mechanically perfect, only real problem, too slow. Brakes were warped by 34,000. 07 ltd awd is really a fast auto. A great improvement. Trans. seems confused at times. Will wait on the 6spd and new engine review. 05 was using a lot of oil?? at the end.Changed it at 3000, went to 6000. and it was down 2 qts at the end? 1 of, If not our best cars still.

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  Functional, good value vehicle - 2008 Chrysler Aspen
  By Aspen Owner - October 7 - 1:19 pm

  Purchased my Aspen in September 2008. So far it has been enjoyable to drive. The best thing about the Aspen is that it is a functional car. I have the second row bench seating (for childs seat). Also, the third row folding down and stowing is a nice option. Other similar size vehicles either dont have a third row or you have to physically remove the seats and store them somewhere else. I got the limited signature series(J pkg) with the 5.7 L Hemi. Gas mileage was to be expected about 14 - 15 mpg. The interior is great with MyGig, Navigation, DVD player and rear camera. To purchase the same vehicle from another manufacturer would probably have cost me $10K more. Good car overall.

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  Love this car! - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By dlh - October 7 - 10:18 am

  This is an excellent family car that is still fun to drive. It drives like a luxury car, not an SUV. I would buy another one. Highly recommend it.

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  Its Been a Great Van - 2000 Chrysler Grand Voyager
  By roadies - October 7 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I bought this van at the end of the model year. It had been a rental fleet vehicle and had 20k mile on it. Aside from a couple of small fluid leaks which we had repaired under warranty, it has been a great van and I have been very impressed with its quality and reliability, especially considering all of the horror stories I have heard about Chrysler vans. This having been our first minivan, I have been very pleased with the ride and handling. We liked this van so well that we are upgrading to an 03 Grand Caravan eX.

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  An awesome SUV - 2009 Chrysler Aspen
  By 2009ASPEN - October 6 - 11:34 pm

  We recently purchased a 2009 Aspen with the new 5.7 liter HEMI. On the way to work my average MPG came to 22.7 which is incredible for a vehicle of this size and 376 horsepower. Edmunds needs to update its information since the new HEMI is more efficient and has more horsepower than the 2008. The build quality and ride is incredible. Chrysler has done an excellent job!