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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  So Far, So Good - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Mike B. - July 7 - 10:26 pm

  I had driven a Pacifica Touring AWD from SW PA to Dickson, Tn on several occasions and took a few different routes to see how she ran. I had my favorite time through the mountains of WV. It has an excellent ride shared with its Benz siblings, is quiet, and has beautiful interior. I have a Signature Series with two tone gray/black leather and aluminum trim where the woodgrain usually is. Gas mileage is OK for a 4500 pound machine, but the 19 inch tire option will kill you, $250.00 per tire! Using the Auto Stick it is peppy, but if youre not used to a revving engine to make power you may find it sluggish. It serves my family of 4 plus the neighbors kids well!!! Overall a great product!

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  My Extra Special - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By Coolrunning - July 7 - 2:56 am

  A beautiful car, it always turned heads. The handling was more like a much smaller car, and it had plenty of power to respond to any traffic situation without hesitation.

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  Another Winner - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By katmandu - July 7 - 1:19 am

  Bought the 07 Limited AWD. This car is a total dream machine. The handling is sure and tight. The ride is great. The interior is luxurious without being over the top. The fit and finish inside and out is impeccable. This is my 8th Chrysler. My 1995 Concorde has 307,000 on it and only had to have a tranny rebuild at 200,000. I am having a ball traveling around the country in this car!!! My wife says it is the best yet. I wonder who the genius at Chrysler is that made the call to quit producing these after 08. Guess Ill have to buy an 08 and store it!!

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  Fun and versatile, with minor flaws - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Stephen - July 7 - 12:50 am

  Rock-solid reliable: I owned the car for three years, and had no problems at all with it. It took a while to get used to the limited rear visibility, but that was no problem after a week or so. Its underpowered - even with a 5 speed manual. Handling is *terrible* in adverse conditions - especially snow. Strange masking tape marks appeared on the corners of the rear bumper. All that being said, Id buy this car again in a second if I needed something that was both stylish and had the room to pack stuff in.

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  Love Driving It. (FUN) - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Gary Berman - July 6 - 10:25 pm

  This is my second Pacifica. My first was a 2005 and loved it. My wifes girl friend wanted it so bad that I sold it to her and bought a 2007 Signature Series model. The ride, comfort and features are great. I am getting an average of 21 mpg combined. Chrysler is making a huge mistake discontinuing this model.

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  Great Milage and comfort - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By glad we bought it - July 6 - 9:32 pm

  Just bought it and am very pleased with our choice. On the first trip bringing it home we got 40 mpg with Canadian gallons. The 2.7 liters have enough snap and yet holds onto the economy. The visibility is great. The interior is bright and easy to enter and exit. The controls are convenient and easy to understand. Having gone from a Jeep Grand Cherokee to the Sebring we had some reservations but to this date we made the right decision.

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  I Love My Aspen - 2008 Chrysler Aspen
  By James P. - July 6 - 4:08 pm

  This is a great SUV. Lots of interior room and a very comfortable ride.It has a very upscale exterior design and I love the chrome accents. Would highly recommend the 28J package. I have gotten 17.5 mpg so far with still less than 1000 miles driven.

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  PT Cruiser - Happy in Akron - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By pwpaar - July 6 - 11:03 am

  My 2005 PT is the third one Ive purchased. Ive liked all of them. They are easy to maintain and are reliable. The only problems Ive encountered are tire/wheel related. As the chrome deteriorates, the beading on tires allow air to leak out. The local Goodyear dealer burnishes the rims and that usually solves it. Its very easy to change oil and filters on PTs.

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  Reason for Lemon Laws - 2001 Chrysler Concorde
  By Old guy - July 5 - 9:33 am

  I previously owned a 96 Concorde with 3.3 L engine a great car. We bought this car used, with the 2.7 L engine. The engine selfdestructed at less than 52,000 miles due to the timing chain problem. There are many web sites detailing this problem with this engine. Chrysler denies any help. Changing the headlamp bulb requires removing the front fascia!

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  MY NEW PACIFICA - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By C COX - July 5 - 8:53 am

  its not a truck and i love it. im a female that needed a multipurpose vehicle. whether im in my jeans and gym shoes or my heels and furs i still feel great and look great in this car. we are a cadillac family and the ride in my pacifica, the sound system, the moon roof all of the extras. wow!!!! im loving it