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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  Nice Car - 2011 Chrysler 200
  By delias123 - May 18 - 12:28 pm

  I love my 200, the V-6 engine is almost a must. The car drives very nice with this engine. Headlights are very nice, interior is excellent, the premiem cloth is better than leather. The car size is good although it looks small on the outside. The only car in this category that I liked more was the VW CC, but for $10K more and having only 4 passengers it was not going to work for me. Gas millege is good enough.This car drives much better on the freeway than the streets. The car is full of electronics and gadgets. The placement of buttons and knobs is excellent and simple to operate. Im surprised from some of the proffesional reviews cause they are in many cases very different from consumers.

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  Great car - 2011 Chrysler 200
  By oljapfan - May 11 - 1:41 pm

  First off I am glad to finally find some other people loving this car because I think it has been far to trash talked about . Sure if I had 6 to 10K more to spend on a car I would of looked at other cars such as the Infinity or BMW or whatever pricy cars are out there. I have had 5 different Japan cars and when I first went to this Chrysler/Dodge dealer I didnt really expect anything at all. Interior design is great and classy , V6 283hp engine is very nice and sounds great.

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  Best car built - 1994 Chrysler Concorde
  By chips0735 - April 29 - 3:30 pm

  I leased the 94 Concord for three years then paid it out and kept it. I never was a Chrysler fan, but this has got to be the best car they ever built. We have always got over 30 mpg (imperial gallons) highway and 20-25 city. It has the 3.5 engine which I feel is BULLET PROOF as it now has 353,243 kms and does not use any oil between changes. I have always used an oil stabilizer at each change and am sure that this car is good for at least another 100000 kms. Good looking, comfortable and the wide stance makes it a dream to drive at high speeds.My wife would be lost without the onboard computer.

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  Amazing - 2011 Chrysler 300
  By bobp11 - April 28 - 1:46 pm

  I ordered a V-6 Limited version with luxury and safety packages. Went for the big 20 inch wheels and upgraded sound system too. This car is by far the finest I have ever owned and driven in its class. It has power, is very quiet, handles great, and is loaded with a lot of electronic features. The exterior styling along with the LED daytime running lights are exceptional. The sounds system also rocks! My 17 year old son even likes it and says the big wheels make the car look very sporty, yet executive like. It rides like a dream and Im getting much better than advertised gas mileage so far - about 25 in mixed driving and 31+ on the highway. I have nothing negative to report about the new 300

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  Great First Car - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By bm0rri5 - April 13 - 2:34 am

  Im a 17 year old and I received this car as a gift from parents. I got the car in November of 2010, with 39,800 miles. In March 2011, I got rid of it (to get a Range Rover). within those 4mo, I had already put 5000+ miles on it. I loved to drive this gas guzzling, 425HP beast. Im a dragracer, been doing it for 8yrs, and I must say, this car will pin you back in the seat, hard. No matter what speed you floor it at!! Within the 4mo, of owner ship I only had two problems. 1) Sometimes the AC would start acting funny & not run properly. 2) Once or twice it wouldnt start on the first try, but would on the second try. Other than, I 100000% recommend this car, to ANYBODY. Its a blast to drive!

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  Just bought and LOVING it!!! - 1998 Chrysler Sebring
  By takes2tutango - March 17 - 7:36 pm

  So, I have only owned my Sebring for 3 days now and I really dont have a lot to base reliability on as of yet but, I can say I am thrilled with this car more every time I open the door, start the engine and head out on the open road. I looked at numerous BMWs prior but, none came close to the comfort and features for the money. I needed something that my two kids could fit in as well and they thought every BMW we test drove felt too cramped. Now, I am not in any way saying that BMW isnt a great car but, for the money I am LOVING this Sebring. I will keep you informed as to whether I still love it in six months and then a year too. Right now shes got 123,000 miles and looks brand new.

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  2011 Chrysler 200 Limited with 3.6 V-6 - 2011 Chrysler 200
  By doc1120 - March 5 - 8:00 pm

  I just recently purchased the Chrysler 200 Limited with the 3.6 Liter V-6. I have found this car to be very comfortable, with new interior well exicuted. The V-6 has more than enough power to move the car ease through out traffic and I am experience great gas mileage, as well. I am 6 ft. 3 in. tall and even with the sun roof, I am able to find a comfortable seat position. I love the leather seats, as they are a very good quality and are very supportive of me. I really like the manual lumbar support for the driver. The sound system is great with the Boston Accoustic Speakers and the radio and other informational systems are very intuative to work. This is a very rewarding car to drive

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  You have to drive this car! Beautiful car...great price! - 2011 Chrysler 200
  By luvmy200car - March 4 - 2:28 am

  This is an amazing car! Its beautiful both inside and out and is a real head turner! Ive only had mine a week, but took it in to have SkyLink installed & several service guys gathered around it and got in to sit in it. I came out of the office and one of them asked me, "Have you seen our new 200?". I said, "thats mine".:-) The interior on the 200 Limited is very classy! Youve got fingertip controls on the steering wheel and Chrysler did a great job with the symmetrical design of the dash and instrument panel. No dull square stuff. Very nice interior lighting. Youve got the Chrysler signature quartz clock in the middle of the dash. Both the interior and exterior are exquisite.

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  I love our new Chrysler 200 - 2011 Chrysler 200
  By ron5613 - March 3 - 6:56 pm

  We have put about 1000 miles on our new Chrysler 200 and we love it. Great ride, a pleasure to drive. One of my co-workers liked our 200 so much that they bought one too. A great car. Go drive one at the dealer and see for yourself. Love the 30+ mpg too !

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  Try one, youll like it! - 2011 Chrysler 200
  By baldude - February 27 - 8:57 pm

  Just bought a 200 Limited after having a Sebring Limited for 5 years and this is a much nicer car. All the plastic interior is gone or at least covered in what seems like real padded leather. The interior is BEAUTIFUL! The Pentastar V-6 is great, lots of power on the freeway, better then my sons 2010 Challenger. There are what seems like a zillion controls inside between the steering wheel and dash but its well thought out and fairly intuitive. That said, I have yet to remote start the car and not have the alarm go off when I open the door.