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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  Best Car Ive ever Purchased - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Demetries - August 25 - 11:34 am

  First off this is 2015 I just bought a 06 Pacifica that just hit 100k miles, the car is a dream, drives with no issue. I would expect a truck to ride rough have a lot of blind spots but it is a dream. one thing that definitely wins me is the space! I am 6"1 I have long legs and it always has been a issue with me driving or sitting in the back. the car is wonderful! I am ready to fill it up with some kids of my own for the 4 seats in the back. only issue is have is there really isnt much storage space in arm or eye reach. i am use to storing stuff in different places that is reachable when i am driving. not good on gas but I am coming from having Cars for over 10 years into the truck world, but its good on gas on the highway.

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  Life saver! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Three Girls - August 12 - 9:42 am

  I loved my Used 2004 Pacific being a mother of two it has been great with the comfort & DVD player. I had it for 2 years. My only complaint is it has bottom out on me a few times on the front end. The crash rates are amazing. I got hit head on with my 2 kids in the car totaled my car but we walk out with just a few bumps. I loved my Pacifica & would 100% buy one again!

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  My Dream Ride - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Rose Jacobson - August 9 - 11:32 am

  I purchased my 2006 Pacifica in 2008. With 32000 MI on it. Have loved it! Only had to have the brakes fixed once, but thats not bad for 7 yrs of driving. I would buy it again. Wish they hadnt quit making them!!!!!!!

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  Bought it with 2800 miles on it. - 2011 Chrysler 200
  By Happy in Kentucky - July 25 - 9:28 pm

  Purchased it with only 2800 miles on it and it was three years old. I average about six hundred miles a week and the mileage averages 26 to 27, city and highway. 29.9 highway only. Brakes have squeaked in reverse since Ive owned it. Torque steer is really bad, you kick it you had better have a grip on the steering wheel. Ive only had one warranty issue, the paint on the aluminum hood is bubbling. Dealer was great Chrysler is going to replace and paint a new hood for it. Its a blast to drive and is way more comfortable than the new ones, Ive rented a couple of them for work and have issue getting in and out of them without bumping my head. The biggest thing to get used to is the visibility from it being a rag top. The windshield sits a bit too low. But so far Im happy with it.

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  Decent Family Vehicle - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By sbe79 - June 7 - 11:45 pm

  We bought this car last year with 100K on it. We had a large amount of problems with it upon purchase that were 100% covered by the dealer (a Chrysler-certified Jeep dealership). We bought it in July, it was finally cleared from the dealers service bay in November. That could be a record. The issue was an EVAP code that eventually led to having both fuel pumps replaced (the car has two). The dealer began with the easy stuff (replacing valves and the gas cap). The vehicle is an overall very good SUV. It is spacious and the ride quality is on par with higher-end SUVs. Im not totally sold on the quality, but its nearly solid since then. I replaced the EGR valve this month.

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  Very Poor Climate Control - 2013 Chrysler 300
  By dustync - May 13 - 2:16 pm

  I want to love this car. It has a very smooth and quiet ride, gets good fuel mileage and it Sparkles! But two issues makes it a Love/Hate relationship: First, the climate control has been doing its own thing for some time now. Now and then it starts blowing out super-hot air, no matter what temp it is set on. Going back to the dealer for second repair. The front windshield is extremely pitted after only 34k miles! aerodynamics? cheap glass? ( I do not tailgate). At the current pace, I will have to replace it by 50k miles.

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  Comfortable Car - 2015 Chrysler 200
  By sjmst2 - May 12 - 10:20 am

  The V6 has plenty of power and the suspension soaks up bumps nicely. Materials and fit and finish are first rate. Styling in and out are not flashy but very tasteful. I got the “linen” interior which is striking but very rare. The car feels very solid. For the price it’s an enjoyable car and a great value.

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  Trying American....Again..... - 2015 Chrysler 200
  By scott_in_pa - May 10 - 8:17 pm

  My last new Detroiter was an08 Buick Enclave. A great car until the SECOND transmission went out at 156k, so on to the Germans for me. Tiring of $1000 repair bills every visit, I rolled the dice on a 2015 200S with every option sans LED lights and adaptive cruise. Well be piling on the highway miles over the next 3 years, so the claimed 29mpg for an AWD vehicle sold me. The only other AWD sedan that came close was the Subaru Legacy, larger interior, more safety features, but it was an absolute dog on the highway. Got 18% off sticker and the ext warr for half price: made them throw in the True Coat (see: Fargo, the movie).

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  I Wont Do That Again - 2001 Chrysler 300M
  By ddbates - April 20 - 11:43 pm

  I bought my 2001 300m last summer. By December the transmission went out. When I bought the car it had picture perfect carfax. It was beautiful. I fell in love at first sight. However, the honeymoon did not last long. I had to replace the front struts and a tie rod end. $890. A couple months later the ac condenser went out. Even with repairs I felt the car rode rough compared to my Avalon. Finally the transmission went out. Really? I take care of my vehicles and even if I didnt I did not have enough time to neglect it. This car died at 175--- miles. I was the third owner and it came with maintenance records. Never again!

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  Not a bad deal on a fun car - 2013 Chrysler 200
  By petworthian - April 7 - 11:36 am

  I bought a leftover 2013 Touring convertible with the 3.6-litre engine in February 2015 for a great price. I only have 2000 miles on it, so I cant comment on reliability. The powertrain is a gem - the Pentastar V6 is smooth and powerful and emits a nice thrum when accelerating, and the 6-speed transmission eagerly serves up downshifts. Fuel economy is so-so - 16 MPG around town and 29-30 MPG on a trip. The interior is impressively quiet with the soft top up - as quiet as many conventional sedans Ive driven. My only complaint is the front seating - the lumbar bulge is much too big and much too high, which means I have to recline the seat, and the leg room is a bit skimpy for tall drivers.