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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  Hits & Misses - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Doc - September 25 - 5:23 am

  Overall, a great, full to drive and true head turner. The Hemi gives the car plenty of get up and go, acceleration is outstanding and responsive. Plenty of interior room, well laid out instrumentation. Seating needs more bolstering, better designed buckets to keep you from sliding, better interior noise dampening to provider a quieter ride and reduce wind and road noises. The vehicle appearance demands attention and gets you notice on the road. Longer seat bottoms are needed for tall driver, or seat extension. Car provides great leg room. I am over 6 feet and this cars allows me to adjust my seat all the way back and still have room to get in the back seat and be comfort. Great car.

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  golden commando - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By lori krueger - September 11 - 10:00 am

  trading in a caravan was surprised at ride comfort and seating position that was similar

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  Enjoyable ride - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By turbocruiser - September 10 - 1:03 pm

  Ive always driven larger vehicles and after looking at several PTs I decided on a Platinum series. I was suprised by the pep the turbo adds and the roomy interior. Ive driven the car about three months/2000 miles now. People constantly look and ask qestions. The car handles well. The headlights are bright, unlike our Caravan. The local gas mileage is at 18. Highway, well Ive travelled across state once and the mileage wasnt much better. Probably due to the fact I couldnt contain myself. The car is a pleasure to drive. The mid-range acceleration is so smooth and quick. Yikes!!! Maybe the next road trip Ill set the cruise. Until then . . . .

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  a lot for the money - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Lou G - September 5 - 2:00 am

  The Car is a modern station wagon. The power isnt great, but it will do for a mother of 2 and 2 dogs. You have to be carefull of blind spots. About the same as any other SUV. Its unique, but will it last? It has to Mercedes bet a lot on it. Shares a lot of interior style with Mercedes. You get a lot of car for 35g. Much more than GM. The DVD is great. I give it high marks for toys...Average for power, good for ride. Dont pay more than invoice. They gave me 500 under plus 3000 cash back. They arent flying out.

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  wouldnt give it up - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By speed42 - September 5 - 2:00 am

  I fell in love with this car the day I saw it at the Detroit Auto Show as the Pronto Cruiser. Back then it was just a cute little two- door coupe. Before it hit the lots, it grew two doors and lots more versatility. Unfortunately it also gained a few pounds, and lost some sportiness. I wouldnt trade my stylish inferno-red hauler for anything. Its already helped me move twice. I wish Id waited for the turbo model, but Im glad I got the 5-speed and cloth instead of leather seats. Also, the optional ABS brakes have already saved my butt a couple of times. Well worth the extra bucks.

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  great car ok quality - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By bkanefsky - September 5 - 2:00 am

  I love the car I wish that it would better on gas

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  PT Cruiser Review - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By alexism - September 5 - 2:00 am

  I own a PT Cruiser and it drives smoothly and it is a lot of fun. All my friends enjoy riding in it.

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  Good car overall. - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Spencer - August 27 - 7:53 am

  I have had the car for almost a year now and am happy overall with the car. It has good power with the turbo, but the engine is a little loud under hard power. I have had a 2001 limited PT and a 2005 Convertible base. They all have been great cars, but the non-turbos have no power. The interiors on the 2001 and 2005 are far better then the 2006. The seats are notas good and the fit and finish is not as good on the 2006. Winter traction is very poor, but it is fwd. The headrests of the 2006 are very poor as well. Reliability has been very good on all the cars. The GT rides a little ruff, but handles well. The Turbo is quick, but nothing great. I have a 2006 Mini Cooper S which is faster

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  MY SEATBLETS STINK!!!!!! - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Lecia Toothman - August 19 - 10:00 am

  I am in a love/hate relationship with my new car. I have had it less than a month, the bells and whistles are terrific. It doesnt have very much pick-up when you need it. But the biggest problem is with the front seats seat belts. There is such a terrible odor that we have to wrap the seat belts with towels just to drive the car. It leaves the foul smell on our clothes. The dealership has been "working" on this for two weeks now. STILL WAITING... P-U!!!!!!!

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  Very Nice Car - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By swimjax - August 19 - 10:00 am

  If youre looking for a little "bling," this car will give you some good looks. This one turns lots of heads. Its comfy, stylish, and has solid quality. Great car for the money. Solid road manners, too. I get lots of compliments on this car. The dealership that sold me this car is the BEST. This is the second car in our family from this dealership, and I wouldnt think of going anywhere else - friendly service, no-pressure sales, and service people who do anything to get you in for an oil change at the last second.