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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  Great Car! - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Greg - July 17 - 1:24 am

  After many months of research and test drives we decided on the Pacifica Limited AWD. Am I ever happy with our choice. It drives and rides like a dream. The craftsmanship inside and out is impeccable. With all the goodies that came as standard equipment coupled with the optional packages, the price was very surprising. This is my 6th Chrysler. My 95 Concorde has 300,000 mi. on and is still going strong. Hopefully my Pacifica will give me the same kind of service!!

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  many repairs at 50k - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By sue - July 17 - 12:08 am

  Have all the bells and whistles, have had little problems. Reached 50k and now had to replace the evaporator for the AC plus drier/freon/oil for $1900. Also the front brakes for $250. The motor mounts are cracked, $700, The total repairs for this plus other items was $6,600. Never had that kind of problems with any other car I have owned.

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  My PT Cruiser - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Bob - July 16 - 5:36 pm

  This is my everyday drive to work car. Mine is the five-speed stick wagon. The edmunds review does not do the standard engine justice when paired with the manual trans. It has more torque and off-the-line power than the 95 Neon I used to drive. This is a nice car to drive in most any traffic with the hydraulic clutch and a nice shifter feel. This is no hot-rod by any means but it is a nice, useful flexible car.

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  great car, poor reliability - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By james - July 16 - 12:36 pm

  Took car to dealership 3 times at 39,000 miles for stalling/ failing to start ended up having to replace my 2.7 L v6 engine not covered by my extended warranty, air conditioning doesnt work anymore, neither does the stereo or parking brake. Still, its very comfortable, handles well, gets decent gas mileage, and its paid for. Guess thats why I still drive it

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  love it but!!! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By marlene - July 16 - 1:10 am

  This car is awesome but it tends to pull to the right. I have had it in the shop and have been told there is nothing more to do. I took it somewhere else and they fixed it but it is starting to pull again. The style is beautiful. People look all the time. It really moves and handles well except for the pulling. I was told it is due to the hemi. Makes no sense to me. Beautiful classy car.

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  Piece of Junk - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By cro - July 15 - 11:14 am

  This is the worst car I have ever owned. To say that I hate it is an understatement. There is ZERO visibility in the rear. It makes lots of mystery noises that several mechanics cannot place. The gas consumption is horrible. Im looking to trade it in but the money offered is not good. I cant even give away this piece of junk. Dont think about getting one!

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  Ill keep it - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By larry - July 14 - 11:45 am

  Wife bought the car on impulse: now an all-time fave. This car runs smooth as silk w/ 48,000 mi on it. Its quick and very agile. Had to change out ball joints and other front-end stuff at great expense, but after driving new Saab, Audi and MB convertibles, decided the differences werent worth $40,000! Ill keep it!

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  02 Sebring six years+ - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By EAG - July 14 - 11:09 am

  Overall good car if taken care of. minor overheat problem and alignment. Interior seats dont hold comfort over time and tend to sag.

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  lincolns and cadillacs eat dust - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By jim n - July 14 - 2:23 am

  have always driven a cad or a lincoln until 4/05 when we purchased a 300C. in dec.06 we bought an SRT8. we were going to buy another Hemi. a salesman allowed us to drive the SRT8. we were sold at that point. "THE VERY BEST OF ALL THE CARS WE HAVE EVER OWNED.

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  Classy little PT Cruiser- Silver - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By ElemPrin - July 13 - 12:33 am

  This car has many features that are found on high end cars. It has been very reliable and fun to drive.