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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  Its hott, but under powered. - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Fire_Phil - February 28 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle is beautiful in every way, the lines are sexy the interior is sexy, but its not a sports car. It looks like one, but needs more power. 215hp for a 3000 lb car is not a sports car, but more like a bloated fish. If you want style go grab it, if you want performance look elsewhere or buy a nitrous tank.

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  Experience a 300C - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Thom W. - February 18 - 9:13 am

  Power is the name of the game for a 300C, when you need to move there is no hesitation. The dash is a little to plain, but the instrument panel is easy to read. Love the options,and the GPS is easy to use.

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  Sportscar handling ? - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By adam leicht - February 16 - 2:00 am

  Love the car even though it has a couple of weak spots. Draws a lot of attention everywhere, especially when the rear spoiler comes up. Suspension / wheel combination makes the car a bit hard on bad roads but does a remarkable job in the handling department -- at least up to 110 mi/hr. Over 110 the car gets a little light and somewhat hard to keep pointed. Traction on wet roads is remarkable considering the weight / power ratio.

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  fuel economy poor! - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By fac9160 - February 15 - 3:30 pm

  Like the way it looks but looks get you so far. With an average of 20 mpg Im thinking walking is better!

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  Pac Review - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By jdub07 - February 6 - 12:20 pm

  Car seems to be okay thus far in our ownership. We have every single option that came with the 04 pac awd. Even the tow package. Weve put this through the wringer so far on trips and its held up pretty well. I am meticulous though with oil changes (every 2K miles), detailing the car whenever possible, constant fluid checks and undercarage checks. Already bought a new set of tires too. Basically Im treating it like our Audi that requires vigilant maintenance in order to keep it tip top. I think the Pac will serve us well if this is continued. Pacs are such a new concept with the interior and electrical one needs to be persistant in keeping everyting up to par.

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  First Chrysler - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By jtroscinski - February 4 - 10:00 am

  The vehicle is very fun to drive. It makes my other vehicle seem like a slug. It would have been nice to have a few more uplevel features, though. I like the Onyx Green paint.

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  My Pacifica - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Bob Brooks - February 3 - 8:56 am

  To this point , 10,000 miles, I have had little or no problems with the vehicle. This is our 4th Chrysler and the only rap is with the gas mileage. I think the Chrysler engineers could have improved the mileage by changing the gear ratios as I have noticed the rpms are higher in the Pacifica than in my 96 and 01 sedans. Other than that, I think its one of the sharpest SUV designs around.

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  Dusting off the cobwebs of youth - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By steve-abq - January 30 - 10:00 am

  While I feel I may be driving some "old mans yacht," the power of the vehicle, its design, and appeal to me is rewarding - I waited four months to get hold of one to purchase at a reasonable price. I have not experienced any of the problems of early builds so far so perhaps DC has really fixed those. The only regret I may have with this vehicle is if gasoline prices hit the stratosphere. Then, I will wonder why I did not opt for a hybrid vehicle. But for now, reason be damned! I enjoy this heavy two-ton behemoth with the "viagra" smile it gives someone my age.

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  My Black Beauty - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By R.Kuehn - January 27 - 11:26 am

  For the nost part I love the car. However, there are a few things that could stand improvement: The ride is a little stiff. Vision is rather poor due to the narrow windshield and gas mileage is terrible in city driving, which one should expect with the power plant in this beauty. My insurance tripled of course, but I dont give a damn. A great automobile.

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  Great van.... so far - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By seth - January 24 - 10:22 pm

  The 2017 Pacifica overall has been great, I have had it for only 3 weeks but so far so good except the combined gas mileage on it stays between 18-20 mpg which sucks and also there is no CD player!? WTF?!?!