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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  An awesome boulevard cruiser, NOT a sports sedan - 2011 Chrysler 300
  By oldsnwbrdr - June 14 - 2:49 pm

  My wife was looking at a 2011 Taurus to replace her 2003 one. She likes brash American sedans, and while we liked the new Taurus, I encouraged her to drive the new 300 based upon the reviews Ive read thus far. We have owned the car for two weeks and this review summarizes our early findings.

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  Love my 200 S - 2011 Chrysler 200
  By shawns1 - June 8 - 9:16 pm

  I purchased a loaded 200 S with all the options except navi. Couldn’t justify the $800 for a feature that most smart phones have for free. The V6 is a must – this difference in fuel economy is 1-2 MPG for over 100 more HP. The interior is very nice and the suede inserts in the leather seats looks and feels great. I’m a tech person so U connect was a big selling feature for me. I have an iPhone that seamlessly connects to the stereo to allow for hands free voice activated dialing from your phone’s address book. Simply say the name of the person you wish to call – it’s that easy. You can also transition calls already in progress to the car and vice versa.

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  2005 SRT 6 Convertible - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By emcl - June 8 - 4:00 pm

  Great car for the money. Cant beat the value or performance. Excellent performance and a real head turner.

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  Owner of both a Chrysler 300 Limited and Dodge Charger R/T with AWD - 2011 Chrysler 300
  By 1atomic - June 5 - 1:28 pm

  It is highly unusual for our family to purchase two new vehicles in the same calendar year, but with the lease up on my previous 300C and having over 120,000 miles on my wifes 08 Dodge Magnum R/T, we laid the cards out on the table at our regional Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge-Ram dealership and came away with an incredible deal on both vehicles ordered together. The 2011 Chrysler 300 Limited is the way to go, IMO, as it is the most luxurious vehicle in its class for just over $33,000 loaded! With its standard Pentastar V6 with V8-like power and 4-cylinder gas mileage, i knew immediately that this was the sedan for me. I do not miss the Hemi-V8 of my 2006 300C, but happy to have a choice. Great buy!

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  Love my 200 convertible - 2011 Chrysler 200
  By jayes200 - June 2 - 3:49 pm

  I absolutley love my 200 limited convertible. It came fully loaded, more than I could ask for in my budget. Its always getting looks. The inside is sexy....and the truck is more than enough.

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  Very Satisfied Customer - 2011 Chrysler 200
  By doc80 - May 26 - 6:21 pm

  Car is very comfortable. After one week and an 800 mile road trip this car was worth the money. Gas mileage is excellent, navigation and stereo is awesome. Seats are comfortable and I love the HID lights. Compared to ford fusion but felt that this had more options for the money. Love this car!

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  Bought used and completely original - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By pitmanoeuvre - May 25 - 8:46 pm

  It is a welcome change to buy a used car that doesnt start doing odd things or need more immediate attention mechanically. I bought my 2002 300m Special with 237,000kms on it , while the brakes , battery and exhaust were all original. I only needed to replace the brake pads. This speaks volumes to me in terms of value and reliability , not really seen on other used cars. While the transmission shifts ultra smooth and works as new , just like the previous owner claimed (as he said that the tranny never had any problems , just a fluid and filter change). The battery is a shock , being an Interstate Mega TronII , just like other ones at scrap yard that also had original batteries in.

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  Chrysler 200 Limited with V-6: WOW - 2011 Chrysler 200
  By rretrograde - May 22 - 4:21 pm

  This car is very quick and fun to drive. After testing just about every midsize sedan on the market I fell in love with this blackberry pearl beauty. Compared to all the mainstream competitors its really unique in its design and for the money I really dont think anything can quite compare. So go test drive an Accord and Camry then drive a 200.....they will seem absolutely boring and dull in comparison. I examined this car very carefully and think the quality is fantastic. I have about 500 miles now and its just been perfect.

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  First Chrysler - 2011 Chrysler 200
  By roadraven - May 21 - 7:44 am

  The Chrysler 200 caught my attention because it had a nicer interior than many cars in its price range. The 3.6 L V6 was also a huge consideration. It is equivilant to the Infiniti G35s that I had previously owned. Its not as perky at start off as the Infiniti, but not bad. I would not own one of the 200 models with the smaller engine. I didnt drive one, but I feel like the 3.6 would be the only way to go. The ride is better than expected. It is very quiet and easy to handle. The leather interior is very nice and similar to much more expensive cars.

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  I found a 300m Special GEM - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By pitmanoeuvre - May 21 - 1:57 am

  I just recently bought a 2002 300m Special/dark sapphire blue/black interior , and it passed emissions testing (as like new readings) , with only having replaced the sparkplugs. The car has 237,000kms on it and is in completely original condition. Being the second owner , the original owner obviously had it in a garage since new and took good care of it , without needing anything at all. Judging by the short time I have had it , it is the best used car I have yet to see. The car was starting and running fine (no ticking sounds or noises) , even while the sparkplugs were still the originals. Even the air conditioning outclasses most others I have seen. It has not needed any service.