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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  Greatest Vehicle Ive EVER Owned! - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Sunni_PT2006 - February 3 - 12:00 am

  I have always always wanted a PT Cruiser and finally have my "Dream Car"!! The one I chose is the basic PT Cruiser but it had to be Electric Blue! This little baby gets super mileage and it is soooooo comfortable and has lots of room for passengers as well as the hatchback area holds alot too! I love shopping at Lowes and have toted home alot of plants, mulch, etc and this car can handle anything I purchase and then some in the rear storage area! The 06 has been redesigned with minor changes here and there and it is a wonderful improvement on all the little extras theyve put in. I am 57" tall, all legs and have plenty of room in the drivers seat! Get a PT today, you wont regret it! :

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  Superb Vehicle - 2008 Chrysler 300
  By Mark Robinson - February 2 - 1:14 pm

  I have had this vehicle for a few months now and I could not be happier. Not only is it fun to drive but it always seems to draw attention. A lifetime powertrain warranty was icing on the cake for me. Will definitely purchase another Chrysler.

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  2006 300c srt8 - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By dana denny - February 2 - 12:22 pm

  Good interstate driver. Like the handling on secondary roads. Good cornering. Car feels balanced but I know that the car is front end heavy. Power when I need it but the nav system will get you lost. Left rear power window quit working.

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  Wish I had listened to Consumer Reports! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Its a lemon - February 2 - 9:25 am

  I thought I was getting a bargain but it got me. Since we bought it in Jan 05 I have replaced an axle, axle seals, oil pan, rear differential and now the transmission. When it runs its nice but now I wish I could get rid of it. Unfortunately the Pacifica loses value so quickly you are likely to be thousands in the hole the second you drive off the lot. Its very tempting to look at these used Pacifica as a bargain, but remember you are really gambling with this car. You may be the guy who gets lucky or you be the guy like me who has spent $6000+ in repairs in the last two years

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  My Experience with a USED PTCruiser - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Cruiser Man - February 2 - 2:00 am

  this car had 44,000 original miles on it. we bought it an love it. good design inside and OUT. has much more interior room then you would expect. not bad acceleration for a 4cyl. (not turbocharged) drives good thru snow. could use a bit better gas mileage, but that is a Chrysler problem in MOST models. I had a 93 Chevy Caprice, with a V8, fully loaded. with 4 adults and a trunk full of luggage, we AVERAGED 30+ miles per. why cant Detroit give us THAT MUCH in a small car????

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  This one is a winner - 2008 Chrysler 300
  By Mike - January 31 - 3:25 pm

  Just bought this vehicle after being a big Cadillac Seville fan. I was looking for an AWD vehicle and looked at the Infiniti M and Lexus GS, finally drove this one and for about 12k less (based on my final cost) this was hands down the best buy. Interior design and materials arent Lexus or Infiniti but they are far better than any of the other vehicles I had looked at including the Cadillac. Good ride, will go through anything (within reason), excellent entertainment system, great seats, and one of the few cars that you can get rear seat heaters in. Back seat is comfortable and you actually have leg room. Exceptionally quiet too. The price after rebates and discounts was amazing.

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  A great AMG vehicle - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By srt6ragtop - January 31 - 9:28 am

  The SRT-6 Roadster is a great sports car from top to bottom. To aquire a AMG Mercedes built car like this for under $30,000 is a steal. You can just feel the quality. This SRT-6 will only be out on nice days and has never seen rain. This one is a keeper.

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  Great Full Size SUV for the Money - 2008 Chrysler Aspen
  By Soccer Mom - January 29 - 3:15 pm

  Bought my 08 this month. There were only 2 left on the lot and this one had all the extras. Love it. Love it. Love it. Best SUV for the money and I havent found a flaw yet - other than the gas mileage, but I knew how bad that was going in and was willing to make the sacrifice. It wasnt any better than the compact 05 SUV I was driving, but it was certainly better than some of the other full size models I was shopping for.

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  Traded in my Jaguar for Crossfire! - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Keith - January 29 - 4:43 am

  I bought this car and traded in my leased Jaguar 4 months early! I was debating between a BWM z4 or the crossfire. I am sooo happy with my choice. The car is great from looks to driving. I get a lot of comments and looks. The top down makes this car look like a million dollars. In fact, most people who ask what kind of car it is ask "did you pay about $50k?" I plan on keeping this one a long time.

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  My fun car - 2007 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Will - January 28 - 3:25 pm

  This has always been a car that my wife and I have admired. Now that we own one we are not dissapointed. Great acceleration and road holding.Jjust an all round great vehicle and fun to drive