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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  2 PTs in my garage! - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By JDGibbs - September 21 - 5:30 pm

  I bought my first base model PT 4/15/00. It was the first privately owned PT in Fargo and only 1 of 2 in town for about 6 months. GREAT car! Traded in a 300ZX and sold an Explorer to get it. Sparks went out early, did have to do the radiator replacement at about 100k. Timing belt made it to 173k (OOPS). Replaced alternator at about 169k. Now the head gasket is out at 174k and time to get into a new car. Lo and behold I found "Silver Stud Deuce" PT but this is the 2001 Limited Edition with only 23,200 miles on it! What a gem! Somebody along the way didnt take the hood stand off b4 trying to shut it but thats the only blemish. Show room quality and even smells new!

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  1 month and no regrets - 2015 Chrysler 300
  By Professional Teacher - September 21 - 4:24 pm

  It is a big car but handles great. On trips you will not be tired. Seats give great support. V6 has plenty of power and is economical. 22 to 23 MPG in city and 30 plus on highway. Just completed a trip to the beach and averaged 26-27 combined. Excellent value. Eight speed transmission is a plus. Always drove Buicks and Cadillacs but this 300 is over the top. Highly recommend.

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  Love my Pacifica - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Michele - September 21 - 2:54 pm

  I love my Pacifica! I have driven it for 6 months now and it is by far the funnest, most comfortable, family friendly, stylish car we have ever owned or leased. We have driven to Southern CA in it when it was 2 months old (to us) and it was a beuatiful drive. Very quiet and a smooth ride. Overall, I am very happy with everything in and on my Pacifica.

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  Chrysler knows America - 2007 Chrysler Aspen
  By Aspen - September 21 - 1:14 pm

  This is not a pretend SUV, I have owned SUVs for 15 years and watched them become watered-down, shadows of themselves. In 02 got a new Suburban loved it, but GM has done nothing significant with style or powerplant. Chrysler has shown they can combine rugged performance and styling to come up with a vehicle that performs and is appealing to the eye. GM and Ford have allowed their large SUVs to become oafish by comparison. Their design teams just do not get it in my opinion. Europe and Japan arent making anything comparable for under $70k.

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  Love my Crossfire - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By MARK READER - September 20 - 12:33 pm

  This car is fun to drive its a real head turner when ever we drive it someone always comes up to look at the car or asks what it is. I even had a guy get out at a stop light and ask where we got it.

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  Impressed with the Sebring Plus - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Bruce B. - September 20 - 10:00 am

  This car is comfortable, ride is very good and handles is great. I am very impressed with this car overall. Quality is good.

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  I Love mine ! - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By PTCruizer51534 - September 20 - 10:00 am

  Ive added a few things and enjoyed everything the factory saw fit to include. The handling is great and the roominess is good even for my 300 lb self! I can get in and out very easy and it is quite comfortable to take on long trips.... this is my second and I cant wait for my third! The convertible WILL be mine as soon as its available!

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  Great little car - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By itsbish - September 20 - 10:00 am

  The car is fun to drive and we bought it to pull behind motorhome. The car still gets alot of looks from people and the fun factor for the price is an added bonus.

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  I simply love it. - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By Loveit - September 20 - 6:55 am

  At the age of 62 - and after only God knows how may different cars - I have finally found the one I absolutely love. When I bought it, I frankly did so for the looks and comfort - which are both outstanding. Since then, I have grown to love it for the great vehicle it is. I was afraid of getting a 4 cylinder but decided to go for it for the mileage. I have been happy to find the pickup to be wonderful. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants good looks and great performance.

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  Great Car - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Pierce - September 19 - 4:26 pm

  Just purchased the Chrysler 300. Without question it is the best car purchase Ive ever made!!