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:

• 

  My New 2006 Chrysler 300 - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Chrysler 300 - May 26 - 5:30 pm

  I have driven my 2006 Chrysler 300 for about a week. I bought it from a fleet dealer. I did not know that it had a small engine since I really dont know much about cars and I fell in love with the cars appearance. It seems to lack power, its OK but i need a little more get up and go...! I guess I just have to get used to it. Drives noisy like a airplane taking off!

• 

  2.7 litre engine stinks on 98 Concorde - 1998 Chrysler Concorde
  By Pamalama - May 26 - 3:07 pm

  I loved my Concorde and would never have dreamed that 2 years after I purchased it and paid off a $9,000.00 dollar loan I wouldnt be driving it anymore. The engine blew unexpectedly. I have heard so many people now say that the 2.7 engine stinks and the car engine was not built correctly. I cant believe Chrysler has not opted to help the customer out and recall these cars because of this, I work hard for my money and now have to sink my money into another car. Do not buy a Chrysler Concorde with a 2.7 engine, they stink.

• 

  Safe & Beautiful - 2008 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Sandi - May 26 - 12:47 pm

  We bought this car for its high safety rating. We are tall people (59 63") and can fit very comfortably in the front and second row seats. The gas mileage we get is not very good. This is our one disappointment. The extras (which came standard on this model) are outstanding.

• 

  Great Car - 1999 Chrysler LHS
  By Jesse - May 26 - 12:37 am

  My Chrysler LHS has been the best car I have ever had. I have had very minimal problems with this car. I bought this car used with 29,000 miles on it, now I have 115,000 miles. I have owned it for seven years and it still looks new.

• 

  Wow, What A Surpise - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By MissShona - May 24 - 11:55 pm

  A couple of weeks ago I brought a 01 Sebring LX. I was on a tight budget but I still wanted a "cool" car. I never knew a Chrysler would fit the bill! Although I have an LX, it has the V-6 engine. This is my first automatic car but its so peppy I almost dont miss shifting. Passing and acceleration are no problem. Its comfortable on long road trips. It looks amazing for a 7 year old car. I was considering the Mitsubishi Eclipse from around the same years and this car was thousands cheaper than the Mitsubishi Eclipse GT (but with the same engine). The exterior looks very classy too.

• 

  Dont buy Chrysler (any) - 1999 Chrysler LHS
  By J.Walker - May 24 - 1:10 pm

  This is a beautiful car, However, at 39,000 miles the timing belt jumped off the track damaging the engine to the tune of $3000. which was out of warranty due to the year. Chrysler would do absolutely nothing. Then needed a new battery. Thats OK However, one must take off the right front wheel (addl labor cost) to install the battery! At 42,000 miles I had to replace the fan in the radiator area to the tune of $350. The front speakers on gone and the rear window no longer works. Im selling the car asap. At 44,000 miles (While it is still running ). I was told by a mechanic that at 50K miles these Chryslers begin to have all sorts of problems..

• 

  Just telling it how it is - 2000 Chrysler Concorde
  By Rell - May 24 - 11:29 am

  I purchased my Concorde in 2006. Id been looking for one for over 6 months. When I found this one it rode out smooth, everything worked and it had 121,000 miles on it. Ive since had it for almost three years and with it being used Ive loved having it. Ive never had to fix it, I used high mileage oil for performance and keep all my fluids changed as suggested. I love my Concorde.

• 

  Tons of fun! - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Cody - May 24 - 2:16 am

  This was absolutely the best car for the money. I was tired of family cars and wanted something that I didnt get asked time and time again to help move someone. This thing takes off like a scalded dog in fourth and fifth. Love it every time I take it on the highway.

• 

  my last car 2006 hemi - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By fred - May 23 - 3:13 pm

  luxury feel very fast on pick up. steers tight roomy yet it holds you in seat feels like a mercedes.

• 

  bad... - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By NeverPT - May 23 - 1:20 pm

  bought it brand new but already had a couple of problems after owning it for less than 3 weeks. chirping noise due to misalignment of belt. air conditioning doesnt work well. Brought it to dealer today to have belt replaced and have AC checked. car seats are not comfortable. gas mileage is OK. the first tank got 24.2 mpg, not bad.