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:

• 

  great vehicle - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By coach b - December 5 - 4:26 pm

  I bought this car new 3 and a half years ago. Have really enjoyed it. Love the style and drive. The only work Ive had done on the car has been brake replacement. I do a lot of stop and go driving. The car runs great. Smooth drive and outstanding pick-up. The infinity sound system is also a big plus. The rear seat room is tight, but to be expected in a coupe.

• 

  2006 300 Limited - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Matt Stockwell - December 3 - 11:20 pm

  This is a great drivers car. The handling is excellent and the 3.5 liter makes plenty of power to move it smartly along. While I dont wale on it like my chipped 98 Neon its just as much fun and 10 times more comfortable. It hauls 5 six footers to lunch in comfort and has become the ride of choice for my co workers. Around town, despite my aggressive use of the throttle it gets 19 mpg or better and 27 on the highway. When ethanol free fuel is available it knocks down 30 mpg. I base these claims not on the readouts but on an old fashioned record book. This 300 Limited is the most value I have ever received in a car purchase.

• 

  Super car - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Mannwil - December 3 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Pacifica after owning 4 Jeeps - What a difference! I love the comfort and looks of this car and would highly recommend it to anyone especially one anyone who is looking for soemthing more fun than an SUV

• 

  Why Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By redtackshop - December 3 - 10:00 am

  Excellent ride and control

• 

  excellent - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By ShawnHime - December 3 - 10:00 am

  Great Car to Drive and the best looking car on the road today.

• 

  loving it - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By joe - December 2 - 7:43 pm

  This car is great. I have had it now for a few months and love everytime i get into it. Cant wait to leave work and put the top down. The cup holder is kinda of useless if u ask me but who cares about that really.

• 

  My frost white Sebring - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By Heartsease - December 2 - 5:21 pm

  Purchased "Brina" (Sabrina Sebring) in 2000 when she had just hit the lot. She was and is beautiful. Five years later I still get compliments about her sleek look. Her sound system is without equal. Most important, she drives like a dream. She is not my first Chrysler-I thought the LeBaron I had was great. This is better. And she has required nothing but periodic maintenance. A great choice!

• 

  LOVE the car, but a few problems - 1999 Chrysler Concorde
  By ConcordeOwner - November 30 - 11:53 pm

  The car is awesome to drive! But....I have only had it four months and have put about 400.00 into repairs already. First, which is not the cars fault, I had to replace the battery. But the battery location made it where I had to take the car to a garage. Second, the starter just went out, and the location of the starter also made it where I had to take it to a garage. So....I am afraid of what is next! But the inside and outside design is GREAT! Huge trunk, every thing powered, keyless entry, all the comforts that most people enjoy! And I think the pickup and power for that size car is great. On the interstate, you can fly and hardly feel like your moving!

• 

  Simply Great! - 1997 Chrysler Concorde
  By scatpack43 - November 28 - 10:51 pm

  I bought this car used in 2004 and have since logged about 20,000 miles on it. Have had no problems with this car despite the fact it has 190,000 miles on it. Lots of power, space, and a nice looking car for the money. Would definately recommend this car to anyone!

• 

  The Hemi - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By R. Volpe - November 28 - 10:00 am

  Upon seeing the 300C on the road my wife said what is that? I said I dont no, upon a closer look to my surprise its a Chrysler, I went to a friend who has a small used car lot, just so happens his salesman had just bought one, and he got to drive it. He has a new Vette, he went on and on.My wife is not one to go bonzo over any car,we went to a dealership on a Friday night drove The Hemi as we call it,and bought it,it was a birthday present for her.Back in 1967 when I got home from Viet Nam I bought a 67 Vette, when I drove it it was a new experience every time I drove it, I was 20 years old then, Im 58 years old now and The Hemi brings me right back to that place in time.One word AWSUM.