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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  Kudos to Chrysler for new 300 design - 2011 Chrysler 300
  By 300lvr - September 8 - 12:15 pm

  Weve had our Chrysler 300 for about 3 months now, and we are overjoyed with the car so far. I bought it for my wife, and she fell in love with it instantly. We traded in our Honda Civic for the Chrysler 300 limited, and have no regrets. The interior design is awesome. The exterior design is marvelous, and always turn heads. We bought the brilliant black color. I love the halo-type daytime running headlights, they give the car the same luxury look as Audi and Mercedes. The 3.6 liter V6 engine is very peppy. The overall ride of the car is very comfortable. We rented this car before we bought it. I would recommend this vehicle especially if youre looking for luxury car at a good price.

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  Great car so far - 2011 Chrysler 200
  By shane31 - September 5 - 1:14 am

  I recently taded my 2008 Avenger on a new 200 limited Convertible. I only have about 700 miles on it so far, but its been great. I know the new hasnt worn off yet. I liked the Avenger, it was comfortable and I averaged around 24-26 in my daily driving, 32 on Hwy with the 2.4 four cylinder. However, the 200 is in another league, its really luxurious. It seems to be put together much better with a more solid feel. Everything in the interior is of a much higher quality. Much more quiet than the Avenger, and that was a sedan. A very good value for the money. All this plus a much more powerful engine and Im still getting 23.3 mpg( no hwy trip yet) with the same type of driving.

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  First Chrysler - 2011 Chrysler 200
  By acer51 - September 4 - 5:35 am

  This is the first Chrysler I have purchased. 200 Convertible. Traded in a Toyota Solora Convertible. So far So Good. Really like the 200. Drives nice and has super nice styling inside and out. I am a bigger person and there is plenty of room in the front seat. Back seat space is limited for most people. A great value and is loaded with features.

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  2010 Sebring Hardtop convertible - 2010 Chrysler Sebring
  By tament - August 23 - 4:49 pm

  This is the best car I have ever purchased. Mechanically it is sound, Ive had it for over a year, 13K miles and not a single problem. Better yet, however, is reaction from others to a convertible, especially a hardtop convertible. I live in the northern plains were it gets very cold (-30) and this car was like driving any other car, quiet, warm and sporty in the winter. Then comes summer and oh man, put down the top. I couldnt have picked a better car. My neighbors, friends and coworkers are all envious. I know this sounds over the top, but that is how I feel about this car. I could not endorse it more strongly.

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  The Beast - 2009 Chrysler Aspen
  By rock47 - July 27 - 5:43 pm

  I have owned an Aspen for 4 years now and its been nothing but the best for me. I think the middle row has plenty of room and the seats lay back giving you more room. The third row is a little snug but dont anyone sit back there but the kids. I dont know what Aspen anyone else is driving but my Aspen rides smooth!. If I had to say anything bad about it I would say the price of the Aspen is a little steep! and the gas mileage could be a little better. The other sad part about it is they dont make it anymore and I dont wont to go back to a car.

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  best and funnest car me ever had! - 2006 Chrysler Sebring
  By robsmopar - July 7 - 9:57 am

  this is such a nice car, its sells for a great price too . my wife and I were afraid at first to buy one because people told us it was a junk car,but we talked to several people who have them and one with 185,000 miles on it with never 1 single problem,now there our friends and we do trips together too, this is not a perfect car and diff.people have diff. likes ,but for us we would deffinetly buy this car again,we love it its got style,

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  a stickered $42K car for under $20K - 2007 Chrysler Crossfire
  By stogie556 - July 3 - 9:15 am

  I have the auto stick. an o7 with under 3k miles...i think ill start driving it now! Its a fun car. if you can find one...buy it!

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  2011 Bright White Chrysler 200 S - 2011 Chrysler 200
  By claymaker52 - July 1 - 3:39 am

  I just recently purchase a 200 S, and I must say it has really impressed me and others around me. I cannot tell you how many times, in a very short period, that I have had someone stop and ask what kind of car I am driving. 283 HP, UConnect, Navigation, Heated Seats, Leather and Suede Interior, LED front and rear lights, LED interior lights for a great price. This is by far a great value car that is sporty and stylish. I have read many reviews that have just put the 200 to the side because of its resemblance to the Sebring. I question whether they actually compared this car to say a Sonata which gets better MPG but offers nothing in terms of interior quality and the smoothness of ride

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  Great car for the money. - 2000 Chrysler Sebring
  By mich12 - June 25 - 3:03 pm

  The car now has 159,000 miles on it, its really been a gem. Still runs great. Isnt really fast off the line, but has plenty of high end torque, which makes passing maneuvers easy. Many people badmouth Chrysler, but Ive had really good luck with them, this is my 7th chrysler, and one of 6 to go well past the 100,000 mile mark. The only one thats really been problematic is my PT Cruiser GT, but even when its transmission went bad, it still didnt leave me stranded. I drove it to the repair shop. I wish the same could be said of the MINI Cooper I purchased brand new. It left me stranded twice in its first 17,000 miles. Needless to say, I went running back to Chryslers.

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  High quality, wonderful car, Great Value! - 2011 Chrysler 300
  By gbruno - June 20 - 6:53 am

  I have had my 2011 Chrysler 300 for 3 weeks now and I am thoughly impressed with the car. The 2011 Chrysler 300 has very high build quality, everyone comments on how well made and attractive the interior of the car is. Chryslers new 3.6 V6 Pentastar is excellent, the engine is very powerfull and gets excellent gas mileage, I am averaging over 20 miles per gallon, driving around town. I have not taken my car on a long highway trip yet, but I am sure this car will easily get 30 miles a gallon on the highway on long trips. The Chrysler 300 rides extreamly smooth, is very roomy and is extreamly quiet, it is a true luxury car! Thank you Chrysler and Fiat for making such a wonderful car!