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:

• 

  Our Blue Ivy - 2015 Chrysler 200
  By Mrs. Charlie - July 26 - 11:19 pm

  This is a good looking car, but it is tight on the inside. It hesitates when you step on the gas and then jumps forward. It stalls when pulling a hill. Very Good on GAS!!! We love the technology, blue tooth and all but wish it had a cd player as well. While it is not a family car, just a little more room would really be nice. It does give a smooth ride but you can hear all kinds of road noise, not quiet at all.

• 

  From heaven to lemon. [MUST READ] - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By jonvincent - April 3 - 8:53 am

  1.Has great acceleration from dead start, quickly pickups speed from 50 to 100kmph for a heavy vehicle with a 3.5L engine. 2.If you worry about room, dont bother. This vehicle has enough room to seat your whole family or even turn into a mobile sleeping quarters. 3. A little pricey considering the poor fuel economy, well known transmission and computer issues which I have experienced all of. 4. Fun to drive, and easy to handle, maneuvering through all sorts of terrain and never leaving me stranded. 5. For an older vehicle the interior has a modern design to it, even better than most cars these days. Transmission broke down on highway, computer went a month later and more...

• 

  Love Hate Relationship (stay away from the special) - 2003 Chrysler 300M
  By businessharmon - January 17 - 5:29 pm

  I bought this car in 2012 with 115,000 miles on it and Route 66 extended warranty. At first it was really fun to drive it handled great, sounded great really comfortable. In 2013 it had a Rod berring issue and the engine had to be replaced. It was replaced with a new engine with 80k mi. it lasted a year December 2014 with rod berring issues again. Replaced it again with 80k mi costing $1,100 (only cause its bank owned). The Chrysler 300m special has a bad engine which is the EGK engine only made for the Special with 255hp. Chrysler never recalled it. So if you buy this car at 115k and its the Special get ready for a Headache.

• 

  Dont Buy! - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By bronsonc - November 7 - 10:34 pm

  I bought this car used from a reliable source, and boy I regret ever since. First the springs went out, Chrysler charged me 1200. Then oil started to leak, had to fix that. Then the headlights wouldnt turn off, and electronics such as the heated seats stop working. But most of all, the engine starting knocking and I had to throw it out. Parts are expensive, and Dealers a pain. Done with GM!

• 

  Disappointing - 2015 Chrysler 200
  By jerimiah - October 1 - 3:36 am

  I have owned my Chrysler 200c for 7 weeks. In this time it has been in the shop for 3 weeks. Has had a rear diff replaced, a sensor replaced and has misfired while in motion. Since it has made clicking sounds in the cv joint and the rear diff. Also it has been shifting hard. They wont let me have a new vehicle and the car keeps breaking down. They are supposed to give me a rental everytime it is in the shop but I end up having to pay 15$ a day for a "underage" fee and have a limit of 100km a day. My job is 40km away so I go over if I make my daily commute. They have a policy to not give out courtesy vehicle to person under 25. Poor customer service, poor reliability, and just a badexperianc

• 

  Dont let this be you - 2011 Chrysler 300
  By traveled2011 - July 28 - 9:19 pm

  I purchased my Chrysler at the end of 2011 brand new. One year in at 40k miles (I drive for a living its my work car) I had a check engine light come on. Brought it into the dealer and found out there was damage to a valve. They refused to cover the repair even though it was nothing I had or could have done to cause this. This car was in for every oil change and service mind you.Now here I June 2014 I was on the highway at 65MPH when my car suddenly made a loud pop and locked up.I had it towed two hours back to my dealer to find out the engine had a recall on the timing chain and it had broken and blown the motor. There are no motors and they want to rebuild it after 70% catastrophic damage

• 

  U-dont-Connect - 2013 Chrysler 300
  By vakmere1 - July 16 - 1:27 pm

  Ill rate the car an B-. As for the Uconnect phone system it gets an F. My cell phone is compatable according to the Chrysler website however the connectivity is poor. Phone un-pairs by itself, text box opens and scrolls thru all my contacts without me initiating it and I can get it to turn off after repeatedly pushing the cancel or X button. Takes up to 8 minutes to dial out and get not connected messages. The list goes on. My Buick never had an issue with bluetooth. Ive heard everything from "its my phone" to "well replace the Uconnect" to "it needs an update". None of which it needs. Forums are loaded with people who have connectivity issues with this system. There is no fix.

• 

  Front end Quality is terrible...Tie Rods ends - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By elizspald - February 20 - 2:15 pm

  I looked at the Pacifica for 2 years before buying it in 2007. I currently have 52,000 miles on it, well under the national average. I have been replacing tie rod ends approx. every 10,000 miles. I have replaced a total of 7 in 45,000 miles. I am not on my 2nd coolant leak. I have had a shack in the frontend ever since I put new tires on, which one was bulged and needed to go back to replace it. Dash lights have burnt out and need replacing. I cant even image what I would be feeling if I hadnt have gotten the 7 year/70,000 warranty at $100 deductible!!! Its up in June...Think Ill be getting my a Ford or Chevy!!

• 

  Will never buy Chrysler again - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By timmay33 - December 3 - 7:52 pm

  Absolutely hate this car! I fell in love with it because of its look and the engine, but have had nothing but problems every since. Put well over $4,000 into the front suspension alone. I also had to replace fuel pumps and the radiator. Overall, i put about $6,000 worth of repairs into this car before something in the engine finally gave out and totalled it. I will never buy another Chrysler.

• 

  Brake issues - 2013 Chrysler 200
  By taxlady1 - September 27 - 9:37 am

  My husband & I purchased this car in November 2013 and the brakes starting squeaking 6 months later and a pop noise when your driving . I took it to dealership on 3 occasions and they say it is oxidation and will not do anything and Chrysler will not either. We have always bought Chrysler and Dodge products but it they are not going to honor the warranty I will not again. I think if you have a new car it should not make noises