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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  Awesome ride...but were trading down. - 2007 Chrysler Aspen
  By ~m~ - June 5 - 12:04 pm

  We love our Aspen, it handles well and the bells and whistles are awesome. We havent had any malfunctions to speak of, although my husband has noticed something strange at the pumps, he often fills up when the needle is on E, and as he fills the tank he expects the gallons on the pump to match what he knows the tank should hold, the numbers come close to matching. Its as if theres a few unrecorded gallons left in his tank (but its a significant amt). The dealer has checked it out too, and no one can explain it. Its weird. Our one complaint, the rear seats are FIXED. They cannot be slid forward or backward by the occupant to accommodate a tall driver or someone in the 3rd row!

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  One of the best - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By One of the best - June 4 - 4:17 pm

  This has been a reliable car. We bought it with 59.000 mi and it now has 101,000. My husband loves to drive it, he says it has get up and go. The check engine light came on a few days after we bought it, so it went to the shop a few times and although the light would be off when we picked it up, it would always come back on- And remains on to this day. Tires need to be replaced soon, those will cost nearly $500. My husband says were switching from Michelin to Yokohama. Love the moonroof! Timing belt and brakes need to be replaced soon, but other than that, have replaced nothing major. The long front end makes it hard to tell how close you are to anything. Good solid car. Safe for families.

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  I call her persilla - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By KINGFISH - June 4 - 10:00 am

  I FELL IN LOVE WITH HER ON FIRST SIGHT just HAD TO HAVE HER I didnt even test drive her I knew this was a fast car just by the vibes I felt from the car. So this is the wind up I get into the car aND iT IS A DREAM COME TRUE SHE HANDLES LIKE A CHARM AND IS A EYE CATCHER.

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  Great!! - 2008 Chrysler Aspen
  By kaptain - June 3 - 9:54 pm

  I purchased the signature series 2008 with a Hemi. I love it! I also own a Concorde and the gas mileage isnt that much of a difference but the space is! Rides great and handles really well. Love that it looks classy and not everyone is driving one!(i.e. Tahoes and Expeditions!) I absolutely love it.

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  Love It! - 2007 Chrysler Aspen
  By happycargirl - June 3 - 6:13 pm

  Just bought this car used. It drives just like a car. I have never owned an SUV but could not resist this one. It looks like any other luxury SUV without the price! We got ours for a steal at 22k. Loaded with DVD and great stereo! Has plenty of room for my two kids and all there stuff!

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  Unrecognized value and performance - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Will - June 3 - 6:03 pm

  This is a well planned vehicle from bumper to bumper. There is nothing that is not within easy reach of the driver. The options are super, with the GPS put in the proper spot, right on the speedometer display! Seats could fold a little flatter, but the third seats drop down very easy. We have riden with 7-8 passengers. Eight is a little tight, but no one complained. I have looked at them all. This car, known for its safety, has all the extras of a luxury car.

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  Disappointed - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By KPH - June 3 - 5:33 pm

  Although I like the exterior look of this car, the quality of parts and interior is lacking. My wipers have been stuck on intermittent for 3 months, the remote for the top has worked twice and quit, convertible headliner started to fall out, and now the steering wheel is making a noise. I have been waiting for parts for the wipers for 3 months. Embarrassing when the top is down and the wipers come on every 10 seconds. I miss my 300C.

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  2005 Pacifica the best - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By margie - June 3 - 1:16 pm

  I have been driving Chrysler products since I was 17 years old and am now 56, this should tell Chrysler how happy I am with their product. My family of four have always and will always drive a Chrysler. It is a shame that Chrysler will no longer be making this vehicle. Where is Chrysler head? Bring back Lee Iaccoca maybe he can make the big boys understand that this is what people want. This is a mid-size SUV and there is nothing else but the larger SUV-Aspen. Is Chrysler working along with the gas companies? For those of you with a Pacifica inform Chrysler not be stop making this vehicle.

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  I hope it is just ours! - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By skidsmadawg - June 2 - 11:03 pm

  We picked up our 2005 FWD Touring Pacifica in July. The car has less than 4k miles on the clock, and it has been in the shop more than 8 times! This thing just has one problem after another! Chrysler is luckey we leased this Pacifica, otherwise, they would have by now, either givin us our money back, or replaced the car! Also, the Sound System is HORRIBLE!!! It is nothing like any oher DCX car i have rode in, and Is it just me, or is there a horrible blind spot on the car?

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  great car so far - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By tazz - June 2 - 9:22 pm

  Car has less than 1000 miles on it and already getting 31 mpg hwy. Wow! Rides well, no road noise, plenty of power.