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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  The cool car - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By JACK MAGRO - December 26 - 6:36 pm

  I really like to drive this car. It handles the road exceptionally well. The gas mileage is very good.

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  Well kept secret - 2008 Chrysler Aspen
  By jmcolosimo - December 26 - 3:34 pm

  Chrysler doesnt advertise this vehicle as it should. This is a fine, quality SUV especially if you buy it with the 28j package. With this package, the Aspen is far and away the best bargain...when compared with Toyota, Ford, or the GMC products of like kind. This vehicle is way beyond the Durango. Its quality is as good, if not better, than the aforementioned SUVs, but about 8-10k less.

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  Excellent Performance - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By J Bentley - December 26 - 3:23 am

  I just purchased this vehicle in late December for $9,000 under MSRP. My wife and I are expecting our first child in June and need a vehicle to accomadate. The front, rear and side 5 star impact rating was important in our decision to purchase. The exterior styling is very aggressive and sporty looking. The interior is well designed but I understand why people have commented about the cheap materials used for construction in newer Chysler/Dodge vehicles. The performance and ride is what makes this vehicle stand apart from the competition. Acceleration is outstanding and the ride is very smooth and quiet. Caught myself speeding a few times well above the limit. Can corner fast without fear.

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  PT Cruiser - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Debbie - December 25 - 11:46 pm

  Im disappointed with the power and the fuel economy. I had a 6 cylinder car, so I thought I would sacrifice the power for better mileage, but I didnt get better mileage.

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  The Good and the Bad - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Dennis Charles - December 25 - 5:35 pm

  Like the Hemi power and the smooth transmission. Do not like the rattles. I have a very bad dash rattle, drivers side that I cant seem to get rid of. The sunroof shade rattles if it is open. Also have several electrical gremlims. Auto up window sometimes does not work, rear window would not work one time, auto locks did not lock.

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  Great Convert - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By Red - December 25 - 1:45 pm

  Fun car and noticed. Drives like a big car and handles almost like a sports car. The best (only) ragtop Ive owned. I love it. Great car for the money.

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  Elegant car inside and out - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By JoAnn Belair - December 25 - 12:50 pm

  Our Chrysler 300C has a "Hemi" which is so fast and powerful that it amazes us.The interior is luxurious and the GPS system is very simple to set.We love it!

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  awesome car!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By tada1234 - December 25 - 2:00 am

  THis car is the beat u could ever own. Its roomy supplispower and confort and convience like a 10 minute timed rear defrost and a vehicle engine immoboliser and rear a/c and heat outlets under the seats. a trip computer is standered on lxi. the seats are confortable and everything works great! and service for the car is excellent! much much better then the accord or camry and better lookin then them and the altima. and with the chrome wheels on the lxi it looks even better. 20 times better then its predessor.

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  Really a great car - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By k2211 - December 25 - 1:18 am

  Chrysler did a good job when making this vehicle. No problems at all. Really good snow traction. very comfortable to ride in, and it drives smaller than it is. Huge back seat. Fuel consumption is about average for a V6. Interior design is great. Build quality is good, not great. But thats light years ahead of any Ford or GM product of the time could say. The materials used for interior construction is realy good in some parts, barly okay in others, but they are in spots you usually dont touch. I think most people who purchase this vehicle will be very pleased. It deserves its "car of the year" award for 1999.

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  Chrysler has another winner here - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By John Persh - December 24 - 3:33 am

  Great overall vehicle and its not a mommy car, despite what some may think.