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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  2004 PT GT - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By CalsPT - August 15 - 8:56 am

  Purchased the car new in 2003. The HO turbo makes it a blast to drive. The Auto-Stick is useful for holding a gear while descending hills. The car still exhibits good NVH, no squeaks, rattles, nor wind noise. The car was taken back to the dealer only once under warranty for a blown audio speaker.

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  2002 PT Cruiser - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Ano1Hobo - August 4 - 12:43 pm

  The vehicle is easy to parralel park, it has good manuverability and all around visibility

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  2005 pac tour awd - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By CHEESEHEAD - August 2 - 4:46 pm

  I bought this car with 17k on it and now have 36k on it. I had a gasket problem on the transmission that was fixed at 20k and have had no other problems. We have driven this car from Wisconsin to Florida and to S. Carolina this year and it is by far the most comfortable car I have driven! It went through the mountains better than expected and we had no trouble cruising at 70+ mph. The suspension was superb. Gas mileage has varied from 19.5-23.5 on the highway and from 16.5 to 19 bopping around town (lower value in winter).

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  tow me - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Walt Lambert - July 31 - 10:00 am

  It handles very poor on uneven roads, way to much wobble. Good get up and go, nice and comfortable. Tows good with my motorhome with a Remco pump installed for transmission lubing

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  Mostly love - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Overall Happy - July 31 - 10:00 am

  The German infulence shows. The handling compares to BMW or Mercedes. Glad I bought the FWD rather than AWD. The gas mileage is better and managed our PA snow just fine. I wouldnt recommend it for a young family dealing with car seats or car pooling but it works well with my 11 and 13 year olds who want their own seats and contols.

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  Not Happy with 2nd new Car - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By not at all satisfied - July 28 - 10:00 am

  On 01/02 I purchased a brand new Sebring convertible. Has probelms with the heat, not to mention other thins, from the moment I drove it off of the lot. I then arbitrated it under the lemon law and won. I then got aanother convertible built just for me in the factory. I had less than 5,000 miles on and I was driving on the highway when I blew a head gasket. They had to replace the engine. Now I am stuck with a car I dont even want to get in to every day.

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  Great car but one nagging flaw - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By mobiledj - July 28 - 12:57 am

  Its like a clown car: With back seats out I haul three 15-inch speakers sitting upright, DJ box, 2 big tubs of wires/cables, 8 flood lamps, 2 speaker stands, 3 mic stands, 40-in folding table, rolled carpet, case of cordless mics, folding hand truck, video monitor and stand, laptop, hard drive, props and subwoofer (front seat). Never stranded in 154,000 mi. Honest 23 mpg mixed, 28-30 highway. Easy on tires, brakes. Adequate power with 5M. But on 3rd $1,200 engine fan assembly! Fans last maybe 3 years and then A/C overheats until new fan installed. Great ride, decent handling. Quiet. Like all twin-cam Chryslers, it uses oil. Im 62" and fit comfortably. Aiming for 200,000 mi as on my Neon.

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  Loads of fun - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By mrssgtjones - July 27 - 8:50 am

  I love this car! I wanted something a little bigger than a compact sedan, but didnt want the fuel consumption of an SUV or the dreaded station wagon. This car is cute, affordable, reliable and has the perfect amount of space for a family of three on a road trip. The only things I would change are the seats. They could use widening. Im not overweight, but my behind hangs over a little, and the turning radius is a little wide. Other than that, its perfect!

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  Great car!! love to drive it! - 2015 Chrysler 200
  By Christopher B - July 23 - 1:38 am

  I have a 2015 200 Limited 4 cylinder. It has been awesome since day 1, Dealer serviced every 5k miles, $75 to change the oil on this car. Purchased the lifetime oil change package and an extended 7y/100k warranty. Its very good, We love driving it got the upgraded 8.4 inch screen. We love the Technology this car has and great gas mileage took a trip to Idaho from Oregon and got 38 mpg. The 9 speed transmission can be a little slow and clunky sometimes but my 6 speed fusion was very similar. I swapped out the standard noisy poor riding Ecopia tires for better Les Schwab premium tires at around 12 thousand miles, tinted the windows, The ride is very smooth and quiet, handles better. I think this car was a Good value for the money and the features are outstanding. Even though Chrysler is stopping production of this car soon. I will be looking at probably changing vehicles in the future; but overall very happy with this vehicle so far, looks stunning. only have had to go to the dealer for the uconnect system update other than regular maintenance. very on top of that

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  Happy New Owner! - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Andrea - July 12 - 5:03 am

  Just purchased the Pacifica after comparing to Highlander, Pilot and Volvo XC90. Love it! You definitely get more for your money with the Pacifica. A used XC90 came in a close second but after reading the reviews on Edmunds decided against it. We drove a Tahoe for many years and are now happy to find a "car" that fits our needs with snow, kids and sports.