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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  2014 Chrysler 200 Touring V-6 - 2014 Chrysler 200
  By cabell25 - October 17 - 1:22 pm

  I have just purchased a Chrysler 200 Touring with the V-6 engine. The ride is excellent, very comfortable to sit in. The pick-up, when you step on the gas, is great. I choose the deep cherry red and it really stands out. I have just over 300 miles on the vehicle and am averaging 27 mpg. This is a lot better than my old 2004 Dodge Durango with the Hemi engine. All in all I am very satisfied with my trade.

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  Balky Transmission - 2011 Chrysler 300
  By grandpappy - October 7 - 8:33 am

  First of all, I love this car.. its so much fun to drive and folks love to talk to me about its looks... The one problem is the transmission. It bumps occasionally and three times it has seemed to go into neutral while pulling out to pass on the highway.. all three times it seems as though the engine has stall but that cant be the case since the power steering still works.. Its the transmission.. As a retired professional drive, I am able to keep calm when this occurs but my wife would be lost and may have a serious wreck had it happened to her.. The first time the dealer said it was a software glitch and needed updating.. the two time sinve, they say they cant find anything.

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  Excellent! - 2000 Chrysler Sebring
  By carguru1986 - October 2 - 11:53 pm

  Ive kept my upkeep on it up to date. Bought with 98k miles 5 years ago. Now has over 265k and its still going strong. Comfortable, and appealing, its a dream to drive!

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  Brake issues - 2013 Chrysler 200
  By taxlady1 - September 27 - 9:37 am

  My husband & I purchased this car in November 2013 and the brakes starting squeaking 6 months later and a pop noise when your driving . I took it to dealership on 3 occasions and they say it is oxidation and will not do anything and Chrysler will not either. We have always bought Chrysler and Dodge products but it they are not going to honor the warranty I will not again. I think if you have a new car it should not make noises

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  A Lot of Car for the Money! - 2013 Chrysler 300
  By dustync - September 6 - 6:25 pm

  As of 841 miles, I am very pleased with my decision to go back to American Made! The 2013 Chrylser 300 is a pleasure to drive. It is so very quiet and smooth! More so than my 2011 Honda Odyssey van (that has been plagued with problems). The base model does exhibit a bit of "floatiness", which is attributed to the smooth and quiet ride. But its not a negative. Compared to most cars on the market, it has a lot of room, especially in the rear passenger area. Wish it had more in the drivers area for big guys like me. For me, buying the base model and adding fog lamps and O.E.M 20" custom wheels to a car that was already feature rich... made sense! $28,400 ...out the door!

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  BEST SUV CROSS OVER - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By paul272 - August 31 - 4:20 am

  My Pacifica has107000 miles not a single problem! Great in the snow here in Illinois! Has all the bells and whistles! Have never experienced any rocker problems! GREAT TRUCK CAN BEAT HAD IT NEW ! WOULD BUY ANOTHER!

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  Nightmare on wheels! - 2000 Chrysler Sebring
  By hugolast - August 29 - 5:29 pm

  Worst car ever!! Had so many issues and spent so much money fixing numerous problems that the last time it broke down, I just called a towing company and let them take it for $100. A year later my newlywed daughter drove up our driveway in another Sebring Convertible! And three months later thats exactly where it is waiting to be taken to the shop for repairs. Horrible car. DO NOT buy.

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  200 Transmission Problems - 2011 Chrysler 200
  By covington2 - August 28 - 9:38 am

  In December of 2012 I purchased the 200 Chrysler 4dr V6. At about 3400 miles on odometer - it began with engine light of and on (have photo) but dealer can not find issue nor reproduce, along with a thump/jolt when shifting gears, when driving between 10 - 40 mph. I have been to the dealer and had Chrysler representative ride along and the thump occured on 3 occations within 15 min test drive. Chrysler rep stated "this is a normal experience with Chrysler autos" Dealer but Mopar additive in transmission to "help the gears shif smoother" it did for short while and then the thump started again. Now at about 9000 miles on the auto and a week in the shop for diagnostics, dealer offers a trade i

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  Awful to drive in the snow - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By cosmo5976 - August 24 - 2:14 am

  I have a 2006 300C I bought new in Nov of 05. For the most part the car is a reasonable ok car. Replaced a front strut and tires and that is about it so far. Car looks great with the Bentley grill and high speed feels like your floating on a cloud. However, without a doubt this is the worse car I have ever driven in the snow. Even with a light touch of the gas pedal reserving all this horsepower the car spins (including after I bought new high end tires for snow) and sways side to side. In the past I have ventured out in the snow only to turn around because the security that I will be able to get home or get stuck is a constant on my mine. Should have gone with the awd version.

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  I love my 300!! - 2012 Chrysler 300
  By 4matthewsfx - August 19 - 1:47 pm

  Bought July of 2012...base model, with Nav system, Uconnect, and upgraded audio...sticker was 32,210...with 8yr Maxcare 120,000 mile warranty, taxes, roadhazard tire, tags, 27k out the door!!! So far pleased. Car is very comfortable. After 22,000 miles, I never reset mpg meter and I am at 28.5 mpg!!! 3.6L w/ 8 spd is awesome, do not regret opting for this over HEMI. With four people on board to Virginia from NJ, car was very comfortable, no suspension sag, handled great, mpg was still at 29 on highway w/ a/c on at 80 mph, power is great. I cannot say enoug about the style and interior! I absolutely love this car!!