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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  Like if more than I thought I would - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By Roger - July 4 - 7:07 am

  I made the switch to the Sebring Touring from a 2002 Jaguar X-Type. I was purely looking for reliability and economy. So far I have both. In mixed driving the car is getting an average of 28 miles per gallon and over 30 mpg on the highway. I couldnt be happier with that. The car has nice features, but not the luxury I was used to. Even so, for about 21,000 sticker price it is a good value. The engine has plenty of power, although the transmission is not very smooth. Overall, if youre looking for an economical midsize car, I recommend at least test driving a Sebring.

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  Just Plain Great - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By William - July 4 - 5:06 am

  Saw it...Bought it...could not believe the value, fun and looks...yes a head turner...bought a black on black roadster...drives amazing well...great built car...you know it is a quality drive.

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  Love it - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Marcellus - July 4 - 2:31 am

  Ive had a BMW Z3, which was a blast to drive. The Crossfire is not at the same level as the Z3, but it is great fun, and such an unique design. Definitely NOT just another boring plain vanilla that makes up the bulk of cars on the road. Plus, because the basic chassis & engine is from Mercedes (when they were still married to Chrysler), it drives solid as can be. Wife likes the auto transmission, and I love the fact that I can use it as a manual whenever I want to. And the "trunk" is way bigger than most roadsters out there.

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  Love this Car! - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By AnneA - July 3 - 12:53 pm

  Ive never bought a Chrysler before, Ive gone from an Alfa Romeo to a Mercedes to a Volvo. I needed a big, comfortable car that was still stylish and this is it! I absolutely love this car. It rides smoothly, the interior is luxurious and reminds me of a European car. There are so many cool features that its hard to name them all. Suffice it to say that Im very happy with my purchase and Id recommend a Pacifica to anyone.

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  Love my PT!!!! - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Steph1163 - July 3 - 2:30 am

  I bought this car in 2006 with only 2800 miles on it! I got very lucky. I have always had great luck with the car. The only problem I have had is that the light cover for the windows roll up fell out. My PT has been the most reliable car I have owned!!!

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  love, love, love it - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Patty - July 2 - 2:10 pm

  I went from driving a Jeep Wrangler to driving my Chrylser 300. I did love my Jeep but due to back problems I had to give it up. We made the choice for the Chrysler 300, Warm Vanilla, boy do we turn alot of heads. It is so comfortable and fun to drive. We do drive alot, for business and pleasure. I have not used the CD player at all because we have Sirius radio and I love that too. I could of not made a better decesion in buying this vehicle.

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  My favorite car ever! - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Steve - July 2 - 7:13 am

  Ive loved these cars since they came out and finally got a base model 2005 5- speed. It is the most fun I have had driving ever. With the manual, there is no need for a turbo, because this thing takes off when you hit the gas. I love the roominess, the feel, the drivability of this car. And I got a very cool color in Electric Blue which still turns heads! A great car!

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  Satisfied, Great vehicle - 2008 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Trail - July 2 - 5:20 am

  My first Chrysler and I feel we made the right choice, Great price with the features to match. Great acceleration, drives like a family vehicle without the look of a van. Plenty of interior space and leg room for even the third row passengers.

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  07 Pacifica - Good Value - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By K Powell - July 1 - 6:44 pm

  We bought the Pacifica based on seating & ride comfort for my wife (bad back) & she picked the Pacifica from among many others. The exterior fit & finish are good but has one minor door mis- alignment. Paint finish is excellent. The interior is most comfortable. We get 26+ MPG on the highway and in-town mileage at 19+ MPG. Were very pleased with the fuel mileage. Ours is FWD with the 4.0 L engine & had only 14K miles when we bought it. I love the 6 speed tranny with the "Power-Shift" feature but I am concerned about its reliability as I read there have been problems with the TQ. Time will tell!

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  Oil Issues - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Chrysler Oil Problem - July 1 - 10:33 am

  I loved the car when we first bought it, but have had the oil consumption problems that others have talked about. At 3000 miles, the oil is completely gone. The dealer replaced the top half of the engine, but the problem is still there. Chrysler said it is normal to have oil consumption like that. They said there has been issues, but have no idea where the oil is going. I had a 96 Jeep Cherokee that had 380,000 miles and never burned an ounce of oil. Seems to me Chrysler should deal with this problem. At 3,000 miles the engine clicks. I loved Chrysler vehicles, but will never buy another one.