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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  This car is fun to drive. - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By R. Taylor - July 3 - 7:10 am

  I traded my well loved Neon R/T for this car and have been well pleased. I miss the quickness and agility of the R/T but love the spaciousness and versatility of the cruiser.

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  The "Can Do" Car - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By ptmem - July 2 - 11:03 pm

  I had to have this car when I bought it, and havent regretted the purchase since. Its the biggest little car Ive ever had (bought my first car in 1961). Its great in town - fits into small parking spots. And it handles well on the parkways and highways. The fact that it doesnt have the power of my previous 8-cylinder cars was a consideration when I bought it, but, for a 4-cylinder it does well, even at high speeds. It also handles snow and ice like a dream. Powers me through all kinds of winter weather.

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  Nicest car I have ever owned - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Brian - June 29 - 8:43 pm

  This is a greate vehicle. It has a very quiet ride, very smooth, and feels very stable (5in off the ground). I knew it would suck gas, but 21mpg on the highway, I think they can do better. Although it does weigh in over 4700 lbs. Highly recommend, great family mover, tons of cargo space with bench seat down.

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  mopars comeback - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By paul nutting - June 12 - 10:00 am

  extreme fun ,good handlin power is good for both city and highway we went on top of mt. washington and was first car I drove down without brakes overheating ,car is very light but gives confortable ride.

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  My First SUV - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By raycuda - June 7 - 10:00 am

  This has been a troublfree vehicle fr the past 10 months. It is perfect for a family vehicle as well as for hauling the kids and their friends around town. It also comes in handy when you need to transport something large that does not fit in the car. It is a perfect all- around vehicle and I would not hesitate to get another one.

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  Gas Mileage not that bad - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Raymond - June 4 - 10:40 pm

  It gets about 21 mpg average combined driving. While certainly not in the same league mileage wise as a Civic, try fitting a 36 inch TV in a Civic.You cant have everything.The PT costs less than an a Accord, fits the same amount of people and cargo as a minivan and has a much better engine than anything in its price class. If you get 15mpg, you probably have never changed the air filter.

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  Best Sedan I have Ever Owned - 2015 Chrysler 200
  By Bodega Bay Bill - June 3 - 11:25 am

  As a point of reference, my wife and I have owned many Nissans over the years, including the Maxima and Murano. Consumer Reports typically gives very high ratings to these two cars yet they hate the 200. Sorry, but I have no idea what they are thinking. The biggest gripes seem to be the transmission and the rear seats. Okay, the transmission has too many gears, although I do get a perverse pleasure out of saying to people, "what, you only have 8 speeds?" I use the paddle shifters, which makes the transmission performed much better. This car is quite fast compared to similar vehicles. The rear seat is not that bad and certainly is comparable to the competition. If you want a roomy back seat buy the 300! I have sat in the back of quite a few cars that get better ratings and there is very little discernible difference. Measurements dont lie. Compare the rear legroom to other cars and you will see that the 200 is right up there with similar vehicles. I love the interior. The 8.4" infotainment system is hands-down one of the best you will find anywhere. Steering wheel controls (paddle shifters!) are intuitive and easy to use. Seats are very supportive without being too snug. I have the heated seats and all-wheel drive and have driven this car in the snow - no problems at all. Our Murano does better but of course it has much larger tires with deeper lugs. The suspension is a little soft, but then this is the "C" and not the "S" model. I personally dont want to be pounded by potholes and the 18" wheels are a good compromise. And despite the 295 HP and all-wheel drive, I can easily achieve 30 to 31 MPG on the highway. Fantastic! This car seems to be rather polarizing but I have no regrets after 15 months of ownership.

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  pt cruiser - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By dckusnick - June 3 - 2:00 am

  i have had a blast with my new pt/gt! the gas mileage for something this fun is what i expected if not better. it sure turns alot of heads going down the road, especially when you get on it.

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  Mr Ts PT - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Mikey - June 2 - 10:10 am

  Ive had my PT Touring Edition for 5.5 years. For the most part it has been a very reliable, consistent performer. Im a big 63" guy and I test drove a lot of small SUV-type vehicles. The Cruiser was one of the few that gave me plenty of leg room without banging mt right knee into a center dashboard console. I kept to the maintenance schedule and after 71,000 miles, other than front brakes, tires and a leaking valve cover gasket I havent had to put any money into it. Now for the bad news - it has a very wide turning circle which is very annoying trying to park in tight spots. The mpg is not that great for 2.4 4 liter engine and the engine is dog while running the AC.

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  Practical and reliable around-towner - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By roro - June 2 - 3:23 am

  Ive had great experience with this car, now nearing its end. The car has always run well and trouble-free, except for a cat converter replacement at about 110,000 miles. It drives well for a tall car, and with a stick shift it is fast enough. Loads of room to haul stuff. (I can get a couple of mopeds in the back.) I think it has been much underrated for practicality and utility. People think only of style when they think PTs, but that is hardly the whole story.