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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  What Chrysler Doesnt Tell You... - 2011 Chrysler 200
  By ktaylorm - December 9 - 12:06 pm

  Bought my 2011 200 Ltd. brand new and sadly from day one I have had a constant vibration from 50-70 mph, the front end sounds like its falling apart and the car cannot be aligned. The vehicle only has 27,000 and its had the front axle, brake caliber, struts, sway links and tires replaced. The dealership has done everything physically and mechanically possible and states "they cannot fix the car". Chryslers response is these are characteristic of this car funny I dont remember seeing that on the sticker or in my owners manual. And the fun continues, as of yestserday, theres now a clunking in the steering column. And, Chrysler says this car doesnt meet the Lemon Law.

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  2013 300s A lot of research before choosing this one. - 2013 Chrysler 300
  By kerrykrampjr - December 6 - 12:27 am

  So I have only owned the car for less than a month, so for everyone looking for more info on reliability, I havent owned it long enough. The Chrysler 300s v6 with the 8 speed is really well put together. It surprised me with its power. I was nervous I would buy the 6 and wish I had the 8. But its pretty quick, good power over 4000 rpm. The 8 speed automatic is smooth, and the sport mode is responsive. I commute as much as 150 miles a day in LA and Orange County. I have never wished I had more power merging 6 lanes to get to the HOV lane. And its quiet as hell on the highway. And 25 mpg avg with a heavy foot. Looks and feels as expensive as a German car, costs half as much. Simple choice.

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  Used car-Aspen Chrysler - 2007 Chrysler Aspen
  By riunite5 - December 5 - 5:38 am

  The Aspen Chrysler 2007 is an awesome vehicle. We were looking for an SUV and saw this one, took it for a drive and were hooked right away. The comfort for my husband, who is disabled, was a big seller. The luxury of the interior, with all the extras were just perfect. The price was affordable which really surprised us too.

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  Excellent Value - 2012 Chrysler 200
  By charniw - November 28 - 8:15 am

  After driving an Oldsmobile Aurora (still my favorite car of all time) for many years we purchased a Hyundai Sonata. I found I missed many of the comforts of the Aurora...climate control, sun roof, V6 engine, etc. While these options are available on other vehicles, the Chrysler 200 was priced far below the competition. This would not have been my first choice in cars, but after 13,000 miles I still have not found another car I would choose over this one (for the money). Overall - BEST VALUE. I do miss the super quiet Cadillac NorthStar engine and silky smooth automatic transmission in my Aurora, but what the heck, this car was half the price.

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  Chrysler> 2001 Voyager - 2001 Chrysler Voyager
  By gapbasher - November 25 - 10:42 pm

  Buying this at 168,000 miles, for $2120 USD out the door ( tax, tag , and title) So far all I can tell its going to need is struts and an AC blower motor resistor. You can tell its the resistor because it only functions on high. Dont let a mechanic sock you with a new part! The body has some minimal rust in the usual spots. Over all the cargo and people space is great. The sound system is easily upgradable with 6x9s in the rear and front doors and an easy dash kit. Looks just like a town and country, but with a shorter wheel base (6"). So far I have had it 3 weeks with no problems and i tank of gas. I love the MPG., and the flex fuel option with my 3.3l v6.

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  128,000 miles NO Problems - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By ckuhn55 - November 20 - 11:06 am

  Bought in June 2005 in New Jersey, and only major expense has been catalytic converter needed to be replace. Just change my oil every 5,000 otherwise no problems. Driven across the USA from Boston to San Francisco twice. Thats 4 trips at 3000 each way. Gas mileage 23 hw 18 (all wheel drive) city. Note: cracked alum tire rim parking, need to replace full rim, very difficult to find. Car is discontinued, so premium for replacement approx $285. Still searching for better price new or used. Great car

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  I LOVE THIS CAR!!!! - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By manoelramon - November 18 - 1:06 am

  I am very proud for having this car.. it is almost 2 years and I NEVER had one single problem... the car is beautiful.. the people really asked about the car, turns the head.. and ride.. dude.. the ride is cool.. very fast ... very safe.. 80% of this car is a mercedez slk.. I change the oil myself because it requires 0w40 and it is cheaper if I do it myself.. the car is very confortable.. my friend has a porshe carrera and sorry porshe lovers!!! this car is much more comfortable comparing to the hard porshe... I will keep this car with me forever.. it is one of few 20.000 cars that arrives in USA... LOVE IT!!

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  Unreliable, built to fail - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By baconandeggs - November 16 - 1:20 pm

  Do your research! People are giving star rating based on the looks/cosmetics of the car and not talking about the engine that will fail on you with low mileage! Ive had the engine rebuilt and just recently, the transmission. The mechanic who rebuilt my engine makes a living on fixing Hemi V8 5.7L engines. He was surprised that mine lasted 110,000 miles. That should give you a clue as to what kind care and quality control Chrysler has. I bought the car brand new in 2006 and gave nothing but synthetic oil changes and the proper maintenance. It looks great but I do not recommend this vehicle for reliability purposes.

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  Electrical Ghost Cost me serious money... - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By mjanssen - November 13 - 8:59 pm

  I loved this car, my kids loved this car, I enjoyed driving it...I hated giving it up! I was nickled and dimed with the windows and some other small electrical issues and the shifter had to be fixed as well and the air conditioner as well. But the killer was I lost my shirt when it just didnt start up or started up real ugly one day...never drove it again after spending THOUSANDS on "Well, it must be this" and "well, well try this"...it got so bad the dealership actually did most of the work at the end for free and brought in a professional who was baffled as well. A friend finally told me to dump it and go on from there...he was right. The ghost won on this one!

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  Great car for an unbeatable value - 2013 Chrysler 300
  By francesco08 - November 9 - 11:42 am

  This is the 3 car i owned and i am in love with it. The design inside and out is elegant and gorgous. It has its own unique look that turns heads no matter where i am. Inside is as lugorious as it can get. Ive been in many high priced cars such as the benz e class and the Infiniti g37 and id say the interior on the 300 beats them! The power even on the v6 is very powerfull and ive beaten the new infiniti g37 and 35, cadillac cts, and audi a4. If your looking to cruize around and show off the car its great for that also, but if your asking for power the 300 shows it off remarkably. And for a price range that starts at 29g! Its crazy what Chrysler has done.Highly recommend this car to anyone.