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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  Bad Car - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By worstcar - April 4 - 10:27 am

  This is the worst car ever. I have had nothing but problems since I got it. The dealership where I got it is horrible. Not friendly at all. Way too many problems. There is a long list. I believe that I have had 3 alternators within 3 months of having the car. I would not recommend it. I dont care what other people are saying about it. The worst car ever.

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  Troubled - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Liz - April 4 - 8:39 am

  Bought the Pacifica when it was just a year old. 36,000 mi and already have ABS light on and some kind of leak from evaporator tank to gas tank. The only way to find this problem was through dealership because dashboard computer system "so sophisticated" my trustworthy mechanic wouldnt touch it. Also tends to speed up when I brake, hard choppy braking, sometimes feel like Im driving a Suburban with a trailer and boat attached. I live in a hot climate and AC does not cool enough. Hear a clicking in the steering wheel column. Very uncomfortable getting people into third row seats. No storage when all seats taken. Im a single mom with two children and this car is worrying me.

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  Go get one!!! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By laure - April 3 - 11:05 pm

  Im a mother of 3, ranging from 3 to 16 and we all love it! Its sharp looking inside and out, esp. Outside. Love the low wide stance. Ours is loaded-I mean loaded-leather, nav, 6 disc changer, power seats, Windows, mirrors, sunroof, heated seats, dvd, dual and rear climate controls, 17 in. Chrome wheels, power up and down liftgate, keyless entry, memory seats, power pedals. So you should get the picture. It drives like a car, its a blast to be in, period! I may just have a lead foot but can relate to the poor gas mileage and poor visibility out the rear. I love this car and Im sure most people will given the chance to drive it.

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  Beautiful looking Car - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Norman Jorgensen - April 3 - 5:53 pm

  This car is beautiful. We get a lot of people stopping us to take a look at it. It runs nice and smooth. It has all the luxury you can ask for at an afforable price. We are always on the road traveling somewhere and this car is very dependable. We do put on quite a few miles each year. We have all the goodies that you can ask for. I would highly recommend this car to anyone who wants to feel safe and comfortable. It is like a dream to drive. Chrysler has really done a great job in the past 5-6 yrs with there cars, especially the style. Keep up the good work.

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  Answer to My 2nd Midlife Crisis - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Jane Suozzi - April 3 - 12:28 pm

  I love this car. I hunted the car down through my local dealer in late Fall, received the car in early winter and had the top down the first night. I love that it is 80% Mercedes. It has been VERY reliable. Every day, someone comments about the car...at the bank...in a parking lot...every where. This car is a hoot! Im 51 years old and have had a MGB convertible, Corvair convertible (as a teenager), and an Eclipse. This car has them all beat! A total escape! Best of all, its royal blue - the best color the car was made in. Im thrilled, as well, that they will not be made anymore. I consider it a collectors item.

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  Chrysler Pacifica 2004 - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By John Q Doe - April 3 - 10:00 am

  Excellent vehicle, fun to drive, all the advantages of an SUV, but safer; better handling characteristics; attractive, contain 40% Mercedes parts; very comfortable for all passengers. Good value for the money.

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  Pacifica in Denver area - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Dogzilla - April 3 - 10:00 am

  Very nice ride, it fits a family of 64"+ people comfortably and has a lot of nice bells and whistles (like the low tire pressure "idiot message") Gets reasonable gas mileage for the type of vehicle too.

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  Fair Car To Drive - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By irontree23 - April 3 - 6:26 am

  The steering is not as easy to whip when you are in tight spaces, I traded my 2005 Dodge Dakota with the V8 and all of the goodies for this car I always wanted it since it was produce in 2000 but at the time it was very overpriced. The seats stain even when the snow hit it. Also very bad trade in value.

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  Lemon - 2007 Chrysler Aspen
  By JimM - April 2 - 2:42 pm

  This is an excellent SUV for the Price. The limited has all the features other similar SUVs have at a lower cost. Unfortunately the vehicle has been in the service department 4 times because the engine malfunction light comes on and causes the vehicle to have drivability issues. I have been to 2 different dealerships and nobody can find the cause of the issue which has caused a serious safety issue. Be cautious about buying this new model

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  My big Chrysler Concord - 1997 Chrysler Concorde
  By Mike - April 2 - 10:43 am

  I have drove this car a lot and let me tell you what a blast. The Mopar V6 3.5 L with bottom feed fuel injectors, and the nice handling aspects can get you a ticket if you dont watch your speed. This car is bigger than most SUVs, I love the double looks from owner with SUV. My G/F will not drive this car at all. She say its a big boat, but she likes riding in it, just not driving in it. All in all I can say this is the first American made car I have fallen in love with.