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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  much improved over the 2000 - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By alley - May 28 - 6:51 pm

  Best deal in the convertible class. plenty of room in the front and large enough trunk for 2 sets of clubs and luggage. Limited has all the bells and whistles you could possibly want in a convertible. Auto stick is a lot of fun as well. Would recomend the limited to anyone looking for a fun ride.

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  my car - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By eileen vulpis - May 27 - 12:29 pm

  I have been very happy with my car since the first day I bought it. I am very comfortable in it it drives very well and all I can say is I recommend it all the time.

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  Excellent - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Rolling Stone - May 27 - 10:00 am

  This is the greatest car there has been in years. This car is extraordinary and outstanding. If someone out there is looking for a family car or a beautiful car with room, the Chrysler Pacifica is absolutely perfect for your needs. This car is fun to drive, comfortable, wonderfully designed(interior and exterior), is incrediably reliable!!! Out of 10 stars I would give it 15. This car should be voted "car of the year", no, no the "car of the Decade".

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  Beautiful Banana - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By gebauer - May 27 - 9:33 am

  Our little yellow Crossfire convertible is a joy, in every way. A couple of additional inches between the seat back and rear of drivers cockpit would help taller drivers with entry, and we wish they had improved the ratios a bit for first and second gears (it took a couple of months to learn best rpms to shift to next higher gear), but other than that, the we wouldnt change anything.

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  ready to buy a 2005 - 1996 Chrysler Concorde
  By crabeye458 - May 25 - 5:13 pm

  This is the first car I have ever owned that I can honestly say I have no complaints about. I did buy it used but there have been no major problems with this car since I have owned it. The only money I have put into this car is for routine maintenance. Right now I am shopping to buy a new Chrysler, I would not buy another brand of car again.

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  2000 Voyager - 2000 Chrysler Voyager
  By jkc918 - May 20 - 12:52 pm

  The 2000 Voyager has proven to be very reliable. The ability to remove both back benches has been very handy when moving or purchasing odd shaped items. Special slots on the back bench keeps grocery bags (plastic) from falling over. Almost 5 years later and I am still pleased with my purchase.

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  Great Car for the $$$ - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By heartrok - May 20 - 10:00 am

  We are really enjoying our Pacifica. Lots of room and very comfortable. The Pacifica feels solid and well put together. Lots of premium materials, and build quality is certainly at a new level for Chrysler. This is the perfect car for a family of four who wants the flexibility to take the grandparents along every once in a while, but doesnt want a minivan. The 5 star safety ratings for front and side impact speak for themselves. At 4,700 lbs. the Pacifica should have a V8, but the current V6 is smooth and quite. Great car. I recommend it highly.

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  nick,s thoughts - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By njdave - May 20 - 10:00 am

  Thus far I really like the car and its performance.

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  FUN, NEW CROSSOVER CAR/SUV - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By PACIFICA PATTSY - May 20 - 10:00 am

  WE WENT TO THE DERLERSHIP TO BUY A LIBERTY, BUT AFTER DRIVING THE JEEP LIBERTY AND JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, THERE IS JUST NO COMPARISSON. THS CAR HAS A SMOOTH LUXURIOUS DRIVE, AND FEEL TO IT. SO MUCH ROOM, ANYONE THAT HAS GOOTEN IN MINE HAS BEEN PRESENTLY SUPPRISED.

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  1997 Chrysler Sebring Review - 1997 Chrysler Sebring
  By Fred - May 17 - 8:49 pm

  This vehicle is fun to drive and hugs the road at all speeds. It rides real smooth on open highway best. Shifting at high RPMs is smooth and powerful. Convertible model smart looking and by far the best design is the 1997. I will have no problem selling this vehicle when the time is right.