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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  Ill miss this car - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By wythany - June 26 - 5:27 pm

  Ive had my 300M for almost 7 years, the longest Ive ever kept a car. (I bought my first in 1968.) I had always driven small foreign coupes before this car, but I fell in love with the styling and it was time for a "grown- up" car. I didnt expect to like driving such a big vehicle, but the engine has so much power Ive enjoyed every minute behind the wheel. Ive also loved all the cargo and passenger space. It has been quite reliable, though now, at 71,000 mi., Im beginning to have electrical problems. And Ive decided I need AWD, so Im getting ready to trade in my M. I will miss it, no matter what replaces it. And it will always rank right up there with my very favorite cars.

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  INCREDIBLE VALUE - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Hussam Khoury - June 24 - 8:36 am

  I have had my signature series for slightly over a month. I love the suspension, design and features this car came with. 3.6 Liters is plenty of power for everyday driving.

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  Susies Pacifica - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Sue Dukatnik - June 23 - 6:34 pm

  I just bought my pacifica and I love it. It has plenty of room with seats up or down, handles well and it is just pretty. I have always had a jeep but decided to try the pacifica, I am very happy with it. The dealership i bought my car at is great, the salesmen were very helpful and i have dealt with them before. I will again.

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  200 limited new - 2016 Chrysler 200
  By first new car - June 23 - 2:19 am

  This is our first new car, we have had the car since September 2016 and already have 11,000 miles on it with no problems at all, I heard the15 had some programing issues with the 9 speeds but what ever they were they solved those on the 16 teens and up, my shifts as smooth as anything I ever drove, we love this car and the gas mileage is great around town its average 23 to 25 highway 33 to 36. UPDATE we now have 19245 miles on the car in 15 months of ownership and no problems to report, just regular maintenance.

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  From SUV to a 2 Dr Limited Convertible - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By SUV to a Convertible - June 22 - 5:43 pm

  I had the top of the line Jeep Grand Cherokee - Laredo -- I kept it for 6 years and loved it. After an unexpected accident I was forced to purchase a replacement vehicle, and I wanted...at a minimum: Leather seats, comfort, lumbar support, elecric adjustable seat, tilt steering, good gas mileage, nice looking and reliable. My biggest fear was lack of space of feeling like I was sitting too low to the ground--I havent looked back -- I love my Sebring-Limited Convertible

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  chrysler sebring convertible great - 2006 Chrysler Sebring
  By richard jensen - June 22 - 9:07 am

  I have thoroughly enjoyed this car from day one. More room by far than the mustang miata, BMW, or any other convertible in their price range. Fuel economy is good about 26 to 28. I love my convertible.

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  New Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By feliciana-man - June 20 - 10:00 am

  I bought the first one sold in Baton Rouge, and absolutely love this vehicle. I just dont know what to call it--its not an offroad SUV, nor a van, nor a station wagon. Chrysler wants us to say "sports tourer", but thats clumbsy and not really accurate. Tourer YES, but sporty-NOT REALLY. Two hundred and fifty HP is not enough to to make it sporty. But it handles the corners with surprising agility. The interior is very well appointed, and VERY wide. The exterior design is very appealing, as is the interior. It is a real head-turner.

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  Chrysler? - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Big Dan - June 20 - 10:00 am

  I used to be an auto mechanic , and knew better than to buy a Chrysler product"back in the day". Trust me things have changed!!! In 2000 I bought a new Concord [just because of the way it looked] and I loved it,traded it in 2002 for a Jeep grand cherokee , very happy with everything and planed to keep it for three years , but when I saw the Pacifia , test drove it , brother I had to have it , what an AUTOMOBILE !!!! Test drive one -you will buy it.

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  Very good wagon - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Anthony - June 20 - 7:55 am

  I shoped around for a while. Drove the pacifica, and I was sold right away. Ive sold vehicle, and was very happy about my selection. There has never been a better vehicle. Yes, there is a mercedes-benz feel. It is perfect fit for my family. We travel all the time. The wagon is a comfortable drive.

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  It Dont Get Any Better! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Larry - June 18 - 11:00 pm

  Theres nothing on/in my 300C that I dont like. I have all available options and it was money well spent. I can be pumping gas or driving up to a fastfood window and I get compliments from all ages.