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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  Best SUV on the road - 2008 Chrysler Aspen
  By jan - April 22 - 5:11 pm

  This is the perfect SUV. I have the j package with the hemi, 20 wheels and all the extras. It fits all of us with comfort and ease. One of us is 65 one 511 and one jumbo sized. I got the cool vanilla exterior color an it looks beautiful. I love the heated seats, back up camera, and gig touch screen radio and gps.

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  Best Car Ive Ever Owned - 2002 Chrysler Concorde
  By Great Car - April 22 - 4:57 pm

  I have owned Cadillacs for the previous 12 years, but bought a Chrysler for better gas mileage. I couldnt be happier with my Concorde Limited. I put 36k a year on it and I have had no problems. It has every option I was used to in my caddy and has held up 10x better. I would highly recommend this car to anyone!!!

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  Ahh, the scent of lemons! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Michelle - April 22 - 2:29 pm

  I loved the car when I bought. It is definitely a safe car to drive, but it wreaks havoc in your wallet. Does anyone want unexplainable stalling? How about heat when the blower motor and resistor go out? Or the best of all experience shaking in the front of their car because you have to replace the outer tie rod and nut set? Dont forget about 10,000 miles later you have to replace the inner ones one more thing dont forget to add a new set of tires about every two years. Suggestion invest in an extended warranty or get a second job.

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  Oil pan blues - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By inkfixx - April 22 - 1:42 pm

  I loved my car but every day that I go with out a new oil pan, cause Chrysler cant seem to make any cause Im number 500 plus people looking for one. So what do I do just drive around with a leaking oil pan plug, get oil all over my nice car, and then someday it leave me on the side of the road cause I cant get a flipping oil pan come on Chrysler give me a break I work hard for a living I dont need this worry on back of my mind when Im going on a road trip. See I use this car for my weekends and road trips it parked during the week. Every time I have the dealer change my oil I worry down the road... I have the oil pan blues

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  300c review - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By deontaj - April 21 - 4:26 pm

  The ONLY problem that I have w/my new 300 is the fuel econnomy, it there is a way to keep everything about the car the same EXCEPT how fast it runs through the gas the car would truly be perfect.

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  Not impressed - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By burton83 - April 21 - 9:38 am

  Had to replace exhaust, door hinge, front disc brakes replaced 2 times before 60,000 km!

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  Chryslers Best Kept Secret - 2008 Chrysler Aspen
  By Linda - April 21 - 7:28 am

  After 6 months of researching all of the crossovers, I stumbled upon this great find. My previous car was an Expedition rode like a truck. This is a smooth, comfortable, classy vehicle. All the bells and whistles you can ask for and absolutely affordable. Plenty of leg/head room for adults comfort measures for the kids. Navigation system and media center is a great perk! Able to download CDs to hard drive and eliminate clutter in the car. Looking forward to taking it on long trips!

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  Wish Chrysler still made them. - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By Paul - April 20 - 9:31 am

  The most comfortable car i have ever owned. 250 HP and 26 MPG combined city/hwy. Bought it used in 1/2005 with 120k on it. Still had original EVERYTHING: shocks, struts, battery, brakes. Original owner did nothing but put gas in it(probably didnt even change the oil). I changed all those items and put new tires on it, then racked up 65k more over the next 2 years. It started everyday, got me wherever I wanted to go in comfort and style. Just had to change the oil every 3k. It was the best car Ive ever had and it was only $7k (low price because of the high miles). I wish I could buy a brand new one, but theyve been replaced with the new 300 (fewer features, higher prices).

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  Fun,and more Fun! - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By joa32649 - April 20 - 3:40 am

  Fun car to drive it feels like you are on rails glued to the road. Tires 18 inch in front and 19 in rear plus traction control and stability control a big plus. Cant wait to try it out in the mountains in West Virgina! The only complaint is the controls and the way they are laid out they could have done a better job! It is a head turner and if you like attention this is the car for you,every time I take it out it draws a crowd. Most people think it is a German or Japanese car. I love the car take one for a test drive and you will want one! Fun,Fun!

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  Love the Look!! - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By Love the look - April 19 - 10:47 pm

  I love the car overall - lots of compliments on the tough look of the car. Color, pearl, is beautiful!!