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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  3 Dealer trips in 1st 600 miles - 2002 Chrysler Voyager
  By Mike Nugent - May 4 - 2:00 am

  Replaced 96 Voyager that was totaled. i like the refinments especially to the ride and dipstick now the oil stays on stick. I had the air bag pretensioner replaced at 300 miles and a harness for the airbag at 600 miles. The dealer also fixed a popped out pies on the inner fenderwell. My last voyager went 119K with only a cv joint at 35K. It was reliable this one not sure. Ha 1200 miles now. 18MPG mixed driving 3.3 my 3.0 1996 24mpg avg.

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  Chrysler 43 years later - 2002 Chrysler Concorde
  By Grandpa Dave - May 3 - 2:00 am

  This is the first Chrysler product that I have owned since 1959. The quality level is miles better than the last one. As you can see I have black listed their products for 43 years. I have owned several Ford products over the years but found that between 60k and 80k miles they fall apart. I have owned several GM products and continue to own, since new, a 1989 Cadillac DeVille with 125k miles on the odometer. Id buy another Cadillac but they priced them out of my reach. I can only hope that my new Concorde will hold up over the next several years.

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  My Crusier - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By maci93 - May 1 - 3:50 am

  Love to drive it. Only get around 18 miles to the gallon. Doesnt turn well in close quarters. Doubt I will keep it.

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  Many problems - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By my first chrysler - May 1 - 2:00 am

  I love the design of the car but have had a lot of trouble with the dealership as well as the reliability. The following is what has been repaired/replaced since the purchase: 2 sets of rotors, plus 1 resurfaced. 2 sets of brake pads, 2 alignments, 8 tires, drives side door latch (twice) and steering rack. The car currently has 28,000 miles on it. I currently have a compaint into Chrysler and I am awaiting their response.

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  Great acceleration and sharp car - 2012 Chrysler 200
  By Kay - April 27 - 6:53 pm

  I bought this brand new and got great pricing. Was unsure about buying a Chrysler but this car has 80000 miles on it and I have not had one bit of trouble. My husband is tall and not real flexible so he has trouble getting in easily. My son is taller (and younger) and has no difficulty getting in and out. The trunk space is too small for long vacations if 4 of us go, but we have made do. It also has a larger turn radius than I like. It handles well otherwise and has been fun to drive. The gas mileage has been great. Traveled last weekend and averaged 31.6 mpg. I am gifting this car to my son for his graduate school career.

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  Stunning design with crappy drivetrain - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Clinton70 - April 27 - 3:00 pm

  If you want a car with one of the most awesome designs ever, in and out, and have alot of money to feed it gas, this is the car. Actually, the mileage is still better than a pickup truck but at 17 city and 22 highway, the V6 Mazda 6 and Buick LeSabres I had later had way better mileage and more power. Chrysler always knew how to make cool looking cars and put crappy engines and cheap plastics in them, even in 2008. Reliability was pretty good though, outside of a broken vent knob (plastic!), cupped tires, and even after a "fix", the alignment was still off. This car never left me for dead though and it went on a 4000+ mile trip to the west three times. It was the perfect road car too.

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  Sebring LXi - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By finsdsasa - April 24 - 10:00 am

  Fun car to drive. Decently room for mid size rear passengers. I am 5’10” and would be happy to have more adjustment backward on driver’s seat. On the bumpy highways this car goes like there isn’t shock absorbers at all. Power steering pump started to leak at 12K miles.

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  LX V6 SUNROOF - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Henry Young - April 24 - 10:00 am

  Great ride. Plenty of power with the V6. Effortless acceleration. Surprisingly quiet ride and decent sound system (4 cd changer)

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  Fun, Practical, 100% Reliable - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Yar Mosnar - April 24 - 10:00 am

  Having the first is always a gamble, but this vehicle has been 100% spot on. From delivery to over 30,000 miles: zero defects, zero problems. Change the oil and enjoy. Loaded with everything on it except the roof rack. Everything continues to work perfectly. From cross country trips with 4 adults, to hauling sod, Its been hands down excellent. Could you find a better vehicle? Im sure you can... for twice the money. The dealer experience has been outstanding. Would I buy another? You bet! But this time with the turbo. (Maybe a turbo convertible next year? - Chrysler, are you listening? - Put the turbo in it!)

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  Reliability Par Excellence - 1997 Chrysler Sebring
  By D. B. - April 24 - 2:00 am

  This car has never been in the shop for repairs other than routine maintenance, brakes, oil changes, etc. It has a new battery but nothing else has been needed except brakes. The transmission is a typical Chrysler trans- mushy and slow. The engine can be over-reved while the car is running!!!!! This is due to the mushy response of the trans.