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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  happy car owner - 2000 Chrysler Concorde
  By Mark - February 17 - 9:48 am

  Im the original owner and have always babied my cars. I have to say I am very pleased with this vehicle and am SO thankful it has a 3.2 and not the infamous failing 2.7 motor. Lots of pep. With a few accessories its a looker in town. The only downsides which Ive learned to live with are wipers with a mind of their own which mechanics have no idea whats up with them. Just the intermittents. On my third factory radio. Door weatherstripping keeps shrinking and shrinking and causes it to hang. And as many chryslers, the factory chrome lettering is peeling off. Overall, I would recommend this car.

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  Great car @ a great price - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By aubie - February 17 - 9:14 am

  This is my 1st new car, third car Ive owned in my lifetime. I love this car. I bought it right when the midwest snow storms started and it handles very well. The stabilization system has come in handy and my ABS is wonderful. The V6 option gives the car a smooth ride.

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  Lots of Storage and Comfy Ride - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Dee - February 17 - 1:06 am

  I rented a 2006 Touring Wagon before I settled on a 2005 Limited Ed. The seats in the Limited were much more comfortable, and seat comfort was my "only" issue in the rental. I purchased a former rental vehicle and saved oodles off a new car PT price as a result (didnt take a hit on first year depreciation). I took my four (good sized) teenagers for a ride with the spouse and went shopping. Three teens in the back seat rated that back seat a unanimous "thumbs up". After grocery shopping and a few other stops, we still had room in the trunk! Even my husband, who is 61" and 245 pounds, found the ride comfortable, especially head room. My family thinks I finally bought a "cool" car!

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  95 sebring lx - 1995 Chrysler Sebring
  By kore698 - February 16 - 7:42 am

  great car for the money and performance that youll get out of its styling is good for the eyes to look at.

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  Great Vehicle, bought another! - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By retail102 - February 15 - 7:42 pm

  Bought the car for my wife who sells real estate and travels with people along. Here in ohio we get snow in the winter and mud in the spring. She has never been stuck or had any traction trouble. the center row seats are heated and recline! My highlander lease was up this month and rather then get a new one I opted for the 07 Pacifica. NO REGRETS! GREAT RIDE. No problems. And my wife is happy i dont borrow hers any more, I can fold down the back two rows of seats and carry the things i could never fot in my Toyota. I can honestly say that the Chrysler Handles better in the rain and snow. and doest tend to nose dive when braking. as for power? AUTOSTICK is standard and give great performance!

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  Its early, but I like the car so far. - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By kjbad - February 15 - 12:49 pm

  I used to own an Eagle vision, so its nice to see the little things Chrysler has fixed in the last decade. I have a Touring with 2.7 V6, Boston speakers (NICE!), U-Connect (VERY NICE!), and power sunroof. The car gets some stares because its new. Im still under 500 mi, so no hi-revving for me. Taking my first trip (900 mi round-trip) this weekend to see how it handles on the highway. So far, so good. Got 350 mi on my first tank of gas in the city.

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  Chrysler Pacifica-2004-Great - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By greg smith - February 15 - 10:00 am

  You will not be buying a race car, but you will be buying one of the most comfortable cars I have ever been in. This 4 door wagon is the best running , most comfortable cars to come along in a while. I got one that has everything on it and everything performs beyond my wildest dreams. I am very happy with my choice!

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  LOOK AT ME NOW - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By melvinweaver - February 15 - 10:00 am

  Great car what a looker

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  My second car a beauty - 2006 Chrysler Sebring
  By Adam - February 15 - 9:01 am

  I bought the car with 10,600 miles and it drove as if it were brand new, good suspension that you dont feel every bump like most convertibles. The base speakers can get quite loud.

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  16 months ownership 2005 Limited AWD - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Bob Aiken - February 14 - 9:27 pm

  I purchased this vehicle for road trips and it is an outstanding cruiser. The road noise is low, handling on the highway is excellent, and the interior design is great. The only problem was a squeak in the lumbar support and a stalling problem with air on and low speed left turns. This was corrected by a factory recall and the seat is being repaired under warranty. Highway mileage - Pa to FL (960 miles) through mountains and at 80 mph in southern states is 20.1