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:

• 

  Mileage could be better - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Atum - November 1 - 1:20 am

  I purchased my cruiser in May 2007 when I transferred form NYC to Ft Lauderdale after I had rented one for my interview and I loved the way it handled and the mileage wasnt bad but it was not as good as other cars of the same category which is a shame considering that this car is really cool looking and handles extremely well. I did not have to change brake pads until I hit 30000 miles in 2010 but then again changing brakes has a lot to do with ones driving not the pads themselves and thats considering Im a bit of a speed demon :)

• 

  Chrysler Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Cynthia Kremsner - October 24 - 10:00 am

  The only complaint that I have about this vehicle so far, is the visibility when changing lanes to the left. Looking over the drivers left shoulder, the visibility is limited and you have to use the mirror and look over your shoulder.

• 

  cool car - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By edmund j. - October 18 - 2:00 am

  Replacement for a 1973 Merc Capri v6. Had to replace a classic car with a comparable car. Affordability, quality, and performance were all considerations. Fun to drive, rides great, handles good, not exactly fast (180hp), and several blind spots to get used to. Havent taken it on a long trip yet, but 22-23 mpg combo city/fwy. Mileage could be better. Smaller turbo packs some punch. Wish it was a v6.

• 

  If BMW wont build an X-7 - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By engineenginenumber9 - October 12 - 2:00 am

  Style. Room. Surefooted. Smooth. Features galore. Overall a suitable car for a man with a family and a need for better than average handling and weekend runs to Home Depot or Lowes. Our two labradors love to make nose prints on the back windows. Car expresses some reticence to climb mountain roads at altitude with anything resembling athletisism. If BMW would make an X-7 or 7 series wagon, the folks at Daimler-Chrysler would have had no opportunity to build it for them. Granted this car lacks the build quality of the Bavarian it aspires to be.

• 

  Screw the Editors - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By TCU0505 - October 7 - 10:00 am

  The editors say that the interior is not very good. Have they seen inside a limited PT? Chrysler uses the same materials in my PT that they use in the Mercedes C-class! The only thing that is disappointing (especially now) is the fuel economy. I have after-market rims and my fuel economy has dropped to about 16-17 MPG

• 

  An accurate review from an OWNER - 2016 Chrysler 200
  By Ernie - October 4 - 6:22 pm

  my credit is not good and it was hard finding a used car that was in great shape. After 5 hrs I was ready to give up. Then they bring out this 2016 black chrysler 200 with 10k miles. I drove it and LOVED the experience. I was approved and because they used the same bank as the one I financed my ford in, I was able to get it with NOTHING down. Ive had it for 3 months now and I have to say, I LOVE this car. FIRST the drive... I sometimes think my car is off when Im waiting at a light because its very quiet but it roars if you mash the gas peddle. Its such a smooth drive and the seats are comfortable. Sometimes my wife drives it and I end up falling asleep. The gas mileage is okay. I just tried ethanol e85 gas after I found out it can take it. Needless to say the milage is much better and the gas is cheaper! Inside the car is great too. Volume and station control are behind the wheel. USB ports, cup holder that slides and reveals a hidden compartment aka STASH SPOT, LOL. Love the touchscreen and my xm/sirus radio. Climate control is amazing as well. Other than the gas which now is better with e85, I cant think of anything that I DONT like about the car. Beautiful headlights and a beautiful body, I get compliments about my car. I read some reviews and laughed. A guy said he was 510 and heavy and it was hard for him to get in and out the car? Im 511 240 lbs and I have no problem. Maybe is seat was to high, and you can change the elevation of the driver seat..some ppl dont care to look at these details and judge it. YOU have to own a car, not rent it, to get a review that is worth reading. I mean, like others have said,I see this car everywhere. if it was a lemon or a bad car,we wouldnt be seeing them a lot.

• 

  Solid car - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Phil F - October 3 - 5:34 am

  Ride and comfort are good. Still some kinks to be worked out with the surround view camera and automatic lift gate opening height is not adjustable.

• 

  Great Car - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By RUSGC - September 30 - 10:23 am

  The car was bought to be my wifes toy. My toy is an 84 Porsche 911. Im not going to say this is close to a Porsche, but it is a lot of fun and a real head turner, guys and gals, and it gets lots of looks and questions. Weve driven it on two trips, 1500 miles and 2800 miles..great trip car, very comfortable, GREAT performance from the turbo engine, very comfortable with top down. At Interstate speeds, we can converse at normal voice levels, and hear the radio/cd player, which, by the way,is easy to use and has good sound quality.

• 

  A realistic rating - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By The YARDI Guy - September 27 - 9:10 pm

  My first review wasnt posted, so heres a more informed and probably more realistic review than my first. This car is a street-legal version of the bumper car you find on the carnival midway. That said, I like it very much - too much to subject it to a supermarket parking lot or a recently oiled and sanded road. But, honestly, a four-banger automatic is not a "10" in performance. And 20/26 MPG is mediocre at best. It IS tops for fun, especially the "hey, look at me - I bet you wish you were driving under the sun in this than "couped-up" (thats a pun, not a misspell) in that Lexus" smile I wear when Im behind the wheel. I even like stoplights so I can give them all a good look-see!

• 

  Drives like a gem - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Frieda - September 25 - 5:13 pm

  I love driving my little PT Cruiser. There are some things I dislike such as gas mileage, arm rest and especially the backup lights. At night, with no street lights, it is difficult to see where or what you might be backing into.