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:

• 

  coul be alot better for the money - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By laura - November 20 - 8:19 am

  Bought Heritege Edition for the looks Promises are bad news. I get 11 MPG. Too expensive to go for a drive. I paid over $40,000 cash for my husbands dream car. This black beauty should have alot more goodies.

• 

  171,000 miles and still going - 1997 Chrysler Cirrus
  By Mark in PA - November 10 - 7:12 pm

  The car was purchased at 95,000 miles. I knew the person & needed something inexpensive. I you are the kind of person who will do oil changes every 3k-4k, transmission serviced every 30k, do the major overhaul/tune-up at 100,000 and again at 160,000 and not abuse the car over bumps/road, this car will last and last. At 171,000 miles now, its no luxury vehicle compared to whats on the road today but it is cheap to operate and and gets pretty good gas milage for a car built in 1997. If you are thinking of purchasing one with lower miles (if you can find one), Id only purchase if you can be shown repair records. I figure this car will last till 200,000 miles.

• 

  C lunking Sebring - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By extec - November 7 - 11:23 am

  I bought my 01 sebring 4drLX v6 on3-01 now 3-02 it been back to the dealer 12 times,for a clunking noise when you take off from a stop.This is common for this model.I would wait until all the bugs are taken care of.I had other problems.

• 

  Only for the short and svelte - 2016 Chrysler 200
  By R Jude - October 28 - 4:59 am

  OK, Im 511" and a bit overweight. I almost broke my neck getting into the drivers seat of this car. I had to literally sit on the door sill in order to fit my head under the top of the door opening. Unbelievable! Hello Fiat-Chrysler, not everyone is 5 foot 8 inches and below 160 lbs. You are leaving out a lot of people with this design.

• 

  Fun to Drive, when it is working - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By joema - October 18 - 10:59 pm

  I am ready to trade in this car after achieving 95000 miles a small miracle in my opinion. Ive had electrical problems, water leak problems and AC problems. However, when the stars align (and the cogs as well), this car is a blast to drive. The V6 has incredible pick-up and responsiveness. It hugs the road and is a real experience to drive. There is plenty of room in the car and the 60/40 feature is a plus. The trunk is just ok. If you get one of these, I recommend you do so only if you have a mechanic that you trust. My dealer was a loser and thus, I will take it out on Chrysler. This will be the last Chrysler product I buy until they completely overhaul their quality.

• 

  Love it, but it stinks - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By michelle - October 7 - 3:46 am

  Had almost 3 yrs. Last year nothing but problems, every week something different. Cant trade in, owe to much money and isnt worth much. Now on its last legs, must give back. Transmission died without any warning, brakes front drive line broke on freeway. Whole wheel came off with no warrning, cost $250 to tow home where now it just sits in my driveway. Fix brakes twice in two weeks. I would not buy a used car again. Has 140,000 miles on it now started at 100,000. Doesnt keep its value.

• 

  I will not buy Chrysler products anymore - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By uncleralph - October 6 - 1:41 pm

  They might be a decent car when new, but will start to nickle and dime you later. This could have been a great car if Chrysler had put some effort into making inprovements over the years. We own a 06 convertible and a 07 touring sedan. Everytime you turn around it seems you are replacing the front brakes. My wifes 06 a/c went out at 60,000 miles. Comp. locked up. It has a power steering leak since new. Fuel mileage is poor at best. My 07 has had the airbag light on for a year now. My a/c is acting up and will cause the car to jerk or load up at idol. My radiator is starting to leak. I have heard they last 3-4 years. I like the styling and the removable seats. I would not buy!

• 

  It carries people, not much else.... - 2003 Chrysler Voyager
  By Paul - October 4 - 10:27 pm

  It doesnt take you long to realize this van was designed to do one thing - move people. The seats are not height adjustable. The engine is very underpowered. The gas mileage is average at best-around 22. The only real upside to the vehicle is the reliability. Also, the sound system is pretty good. Only had problems with the taillights falling off. Youd be hard pressed to pass an 82 corolla. You dont make turns so much as you roll around them. Four wheel disk brakes are optional as well as the ABS. It is unsafe, unkempt and poorly engineered but remember it can carry seven people and has a cup holder for everyone. People wonder why American car companies are going down the tubes.

• 

  PT LOSER - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Arlisha Anderson - September 24 - 10:26 pm

  I bought my PT Cruiser from Nissan Woodland Hills. It worked great for the first 4 years but now it keeps overheating! I now call it the pt loser or pity cruiser. Just dont buy one!

• 

  Try the Chevy HHV - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Gaguy - September 13 - 2:46 pm

  I have had more problems with this car than all my other vehicles combined. First off, the head gasket leaked oil before 300 miles and had to be replaced. Then the ventilation system recirculation door opens on its own because the underpowered engine is not capable of providing enough vacuum to keep it closed when going uphill. The infamously bad Chrysler automatic transmission went out at 31,700 miles and had to be rebuilt. The mechanics had the audacity to suggest someone that I put something in the transmission to cause it to fail. If they really thought that they should have refused repairs and given me the chance to take them to court but I think they knew they would lose.