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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  300 Touring - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Monte Bennett - August 17 - 10:00 am

  The best luxury sedan for the money. Great ride and performace. More rear leg room than any vehicle in its class. Vehicle gets a lot of stares and questions. Free Sirius radio for one year.

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  chrysler pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By li yang - August 16 - 4:08 pm

  This car is a really fun and comfort.The reason we bought is that it can use for long distance travel to somewhere. The reason we choose pacifica is that its fuel effiency.

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  Lexus good looks, without the cost! - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Scott S - August 14 - 10:38 pm

  After my wife and I were deciding between a Honda Pilot, Nissan Murano, or another Ford Explorer, we found the Pacifica at the Chicago Autoshow. It doesnt have the best gas millage of the bunch, but its way better than my 2000 Ford Explorer AWD. (13 mpg) I drive aggressively, but manage to get 19 mpg around town, and 23 mpg highway. I told my wife I would only get it if we bought the Limited. I didnt like the flat black plastic lower panels, plain interior. The Limited really adds some class to the car, and after comparing it to my friends Lexus RX330, I think its as good of styling and I paid a lot less! The Pacifica Limited FWD is a great looking car that is a pleasure to drive!

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  Bob Page - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Bob Basron - August 13 - 2:03 pm

  The 2005 model in the roadster configuration is a refined sports car delivering everything that is fun about open top cars. You can enjoy the automatic and still play with the manual mode. I own a 1965 Austin Healey 3000 and drive it only on the cooler days, the crossfire delivers hot or cold with a high degree of sophistication,that only a German engineered vehicle can do. Fuel econmomy is great,this is a fun car..

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  33 Miles per gal at 60 mph highway - 2000 Chrysler Sebring
  By KEITH - August 12 - 5:29 pm

  2000 chysler sebring jxi This car was a program car. It had 17,000 miles on it when I got it. The only thing I have had to do is replace the tires,oil change (synthetic oil), brakes battery a/c and belt. No tune needed yet. I dont think that is too bad for 132,000 miles and getting 33 miles per gallon @ 60 mph / 26.3 miles per gallon @ 79.5 mph and it is running strong. Thank you Chysler

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  the best car made - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By jeff bryan - August 11 - 8:22 am

  My wife and i have really enjoyed the car it has not given us any problems and handles very good. We will be buying another sebring.... very dependable automobile.

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  Family car for older kids - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By David P - August 10 - 7:09 pm

  We have had the car for a week and used it for local and long distance travel. It is quite comfortable and the middle row console separates my kids (a great feature). Car like ride with high seating position trumps SUVs. Vehicle has a lower center of gravity than a minivan. Mercedes like suspension. This car exceeds the R Class for 25G less.

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  Owner - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Ben Kermmoade - August 10 - 2:18 pm

  Although this vehicle was a gift, I feel it is a lot of car for the amount it was listed at. The car would have been more pleasing to the sight had the manufacturer added a little "class" to the interior design, such as the trim on the dash. It is a fun car to drive!

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  1 Fun Little Sleeper - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Troy Williams - August 8 - 3:23 pm

  I like this car because most people dont even know what it is. I call it the speeper. Its much faster then it looks! And it looks fast!

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  Fun Car - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By 1972DAWG - August 8 - 11:39 am

  Very responsive and fun car to drive. Better mpg than expected. Very good example of German engineering.