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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  PT Crusier - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Denis Cich - January 21 - 7:43 am

  This is a great car to drive. we have the Turbo engine in a Touring model and this thing has plenty og get up and go. It seems that the gas mileage could be better since it only has the 4 cylinder. I havent had any service problems, but only have 15,000 miles on it so far. Plenty of room in the front compartment for the size of the car and its fairly comfortable.

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  Pocket Rocket - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By theccur - January 19 - 10:56 am

  With 225hp and select shift, this car can be a hoot to drive. In town it has excellent flingability. On winding roads the brakes could be more powerful and the handling less flexible. Unfortunatly, I paid a premium price for a car that, aside from the drive train, only has a few extras (and leather) over the base model. No, I wouldnt buy it again, but on the whole its been a good deal thanks to the premium extended warranty. Despite low mileage, the turbo eats CV joints and there have been other early, more minor, mechanical failures. Gas mileage, highway and city, is unacceptably poor. Think SUV, which it definitely is not.

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  Fun Car-Poor Mileage - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Quincey - January 17 - 5:06 am

  Heads turn with the top down. Fun car to drive. Car was great in snow. Poor gas mileage is the only negative thing we found. Almost have the car a year now.Tunk opening a little awkward.

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  Fun Fun Fun - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By texas cruisin - January 16 - 6:06 am

  This car is just plain fun. I have always driven large SUVs because of kids, but loved the look of the PT Cruiser. I bought this one for a steal and I LOVE it. It is responsive. It makes me happy to drive it. It never fails. The positioning of the instruments have taken getting used to, but I think it all lends to the different kind of car you see from the out side. Fuel economy is a about 20 city 24 highway for me. The seats do stain very easily so I bought covers. I love driving this car.

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  I love my PT Cruiser, BUT.... - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By xavier pilsudski - January 11 - 2:00 am

  A beautiful car, my favorite. Look, comfort, etc.. But after 1 month I already had to bring my baby to the dealer... 2 weeks later a second time because the problem (with a front window) wasnt fixed and also because an electronic part died in the engine... a very important piece that needed to be specialy shipped!!! And back to the store a month later for electronic problem and the window. Total visit to the "doctor", in 5 months: 4!!! And the front window still needs work, but I gave up!!

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  06 pt cruiser limited - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By doug - January 9 - 1:03 pm

  I use the car for business and drive about 200 miles a day. mileage has been around 25 mpg, on the road at speeds around 70 mph. good build quality. the horn is hard to push and a service bulletin has been issued and will be addressed at the next service. interior is very versatile and the seats fold nicely. the new seats have hard bolsters on the lower cushion which are not comfortable for a heavy person. The handling in the limited edition is good as is the ride, for a small car.

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  power and style - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Leroy Wilson - January 3 - 4:56 am

  the vehicle is very comfortable, fun and easy to drive. reasonably priced for the number of options available. only dislike is placement of the cruise control lever and the size of the key with remote

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  Great Car - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By wperrigino - December 31 - 10:00 am

  The Pacifica is a true joy to drive. Although the gas mileage is poor, the handling is fabulous on wet or dry roads. Its solid and roomy with terrific standard/optional features. This is a great purchase for anyone with kids and dogs!!!

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  Nice but has a problem! - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Eek Anderson - December 28 - 6:58 pm

  My car has 25,000 miles on it. After filling the gas tank, the brake pedal is not able to be deployed to start the car. It will turn over but not start. Been towed to dealership twice now, where it still resides. Not certain what is going on with it. Has an EVAP leak somewhere

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  Great Automobile - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Brian Ward - December 27 - 3:23 am

  Fantastic automobile... Handling and acceleration are beautiful. I would recommend this car to anyone. I can not wait for the SRT6. I will be purchasing the car in 2006. Thanks a bunch Chrysler and Mercedes.