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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  2006 Chrysler Pacifica - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Chico - December 23 - 7:46 am

  This is my wifes car and I love it. Great interior design and classic exterior. The ride is outstanding and very comfortable. Plenty of power, but gas mileage could be better. Overall its a great car.

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  Great Car - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By Rebecca - December 22 - 5:16 pm

  I have had this car for only a few weeks but I love it and it is so comfortable and stylish. Handles very well in the snow!

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  loads of fun - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By cleebu - December 22 - 10:00 am

  great looking car with a lot of power and plenty of comfort a lot of fun when the top is down and great road feel

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  Great Car - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Foustie - December 22 - 10:00 am

  Extremely comfortable on both short and long trips. Great styling and craftmanship. A lot of thought went into this one.

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  The best vehicle i have ever owned - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By JessicaRamirez - December 21 - 2:52 pm

  I really like this car i am so happy i bought one. It is sexy sleek, and rides so smooth. The sound quality is fabulous.

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  Styled like my 1950 Merc - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By CSM102E - December 20 - 2:11 pm

  Although told it looked like a Bentley, I thought it looked like the 1950 Mercury, I had as a teen. It even has RR drive. Has vision problems that you have to be aware of. Its a real eye catcher. After 2 years, am still pleased with it.

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  Great Car for the Buck - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By Jordan - December 19 - 10:04 pm

  My wife and I just returned or our 2003 BMW-X5 after lease just ended. The Chrysler 300 is such a great car for the cost. I can almost say I like it more than the X-5 and its half the price. Dont figure! Hope this helps. We like it a lot!

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  Better than old lexus - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By Bob - December 19 - 2:41 pm

  This is by far the best cat I have ever driven. I had a 04 Lexus ES that was always having problems. I love this car

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  Great touring car - 2003 Chrysler Concorde
  By Hollis - December 19 - 12:21 pm

  Ive had this car for three years and love it. We live in a mountainous area but the Concorde has power to spare. Gas mileage on the highway is often over 30 miles/gallon. Because we are rural we often travel over three hours per trip. Our Concorde is so comfortable and roomy that we enjoy the trips.

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  My second PT - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Charles - December 17 - 10:20 pm

  This is my second PT Cruiser. The first one had 3 years and this is almost 2 years old. I have never had to take either one in for service. I feel they have done an excellent job with the convertible. It is extremely easy to operate and fun to drive. The turbo has excellent power. I would recommend this automobile to anyone.