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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  Very Surprised on the Cruiser - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Keith - October 6 - 1:13 pm

  Needed to get a FWD car for towing behind my RV and thought to offset GAS with a smaller car. Being a Big Guy was shocked at the room or lack of it in some of these small cars, had to be designed by the same guy who come up with Airplane seats! Got in the PT Cruiser. Liked it at once. Great comfort, smooth ride, okay maybe not the best gas mileage, but all things considered, now wished I got one with more Bells & Whistles. I think the next one will be.

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  06 PT Cruiser convert - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By rpesti - October 6 - 8:46 am

  I like this "little" car. Excellent seating (im 240 6ft) seat a little hard, may soften up. Could be softer like the sebring seats- its a cruiser after all. Basically, all is well but the gas mileage. Im not a leadfoot driver but im getting 17 mpg/city 22 highwy. Much different than what brochures say. Purch 6/06 1850mi at 9/06. Called both dealer and mfr & they say you know -these mileage estimates are done under certain conditions & everyone will get different mpg according to their driving habits Blah,blah,blah. Seems the engine is too small for the size of this car like its under a load and straining i have the touring ed w/ turbo. I look forword for the v6 edtion!

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  Red Hot PT - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By DT - October 6 - 4:26 am

  I have always wanted a PT since they came out, and finally got one. I have the Inferno Red Base PT, and I love the looks. The only issue is the gas mileage. I have a 96 Voyager with the same 2.4 4 cylinder and 3 speed auto, and it gets better mileage in town than the PT. I only have 6k on the PT, so maybe it will improve. My wife wasnt crazy about the PT at first, but she drives it all the time now. I think when we finally get rid of the van, we will go with a ragtop PT. Seating is up high, with a good view of the road. The seats are a bit hard, and get somewhat unconfrontable on long trips, as there is no lumbar adjustments. Otherwise, this is one Red Hot PT that rocks!

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  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.

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  Stylin and Smilin - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Gerry Grossman - October 4 - 9:33 am

  The PT is a comfortable, beautifully designed sun-tanning machine. With the turbo it is fun to drive, and with the top down, its a blast.

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  Nice Wheels - 2008 Chrysler 300
  By Car Guy - October 4 - 6:56 am

  This is one great car. Extremely comfortable, powerful, fast (I see too many speeding tickets in my future), and it handles great as well. Excellent ride quality and responsive, if somewhat numb steering. Averaging over 20 MPG in mixed driving - and thats during the first 1,000 miles. Upgraded Boston Acoustics stereo is worth the money - makes the car a rolling sound studio. Exceptional build quality for an American car. I personally see no downside to the car, except possibly the gas mileage - but what do you expect from a 5.7L V-8?

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  So far, so good - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By jenhub - October 4 - 2:56 am

  I bought this car three days ago, and Im loving it! Its small on the outside, extremely versatile and roomy on the inside, with great headroom. The engine could be a bit zippier, but the car is very well laid out and it feels extremely tight and rattle free. Im replacing a Honda Accord (which I unfortunately just totaled) and I feel like Ive taken a step up in fun and versatility.

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  my car - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By connie burak - October 4 - 1:26 am

  Excellent car.Fine styling. Fun to drive. Went on a fun trip out west last May for six weeks , colorado,vegas,wyom, mont.6500 miles. averaged 23.4 mpg. will stick with Chrysler for next car. possible Imperial or another Hemi C. Fun and exciting.

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  Late-Onset Lemon - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By dokein - October 4 - 12:13 am

  After less than a year, power steering died while I was on the highway. After two years, overheating problems started. Took in for service 4 times in 2 years for overheating. First time the dealer blamed it on a bad power steering motor steering motor and topped off the antifreeze. 2nd time no cause found. 3rd time found a bad fan relay. 4th time (58k mi) water pump failed, causing head gasket to blow, warping the head, damaging a piston & a ring. 2 weeks to fix. Chrysler not fully honoring 7/100 powertrain warranty, making me pay ~$500. Front discs & pads at ~40k. Plug wires after 55k. Several other intermittent problems dealer refused to fix under bumper-to-bumper warranty.

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  Limited Sebring Review - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By ncqueenbee - October 2 - 10:03 am

  First year where heated seats were offered, and is a "must." Light colored leather seats hold up well, even with family use. This is the only convertible that would work for my family size wise (great trunk space and can even fit a bale of hay in it!). Only issue ever with this car is "nagging" Air Bag light warning, that cant seem to be corrected. No set offs or anything though. And the car has been perfect otherwise. Have people offering to buy it often, but cant seem to part with it.