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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  my 300 hemi c - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Mary - April 10 - 3:10 am

  I have owned two Cadillac Devilles this 300 C far out shines them in style and performance. I feel safe in the 300. This is the first vehicle that has given me that feeling since driving the cadillac. This vehicle has class written all over it. It is real competition for the others now.

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  You have to love this car - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By RRNYC - April 8 - 10:00 am

  What a joy to drive. The manual transmission is smooth. The ride is quiet, steering and engine performance well harmonized. When the spoiler deploys, the rear-end sticks to the road like glue. You quickly notice that you turn every head. The value of the car is exceptional -- paid sticker.

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  the mid-life crisis Ive been waitingfor - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Alia - April 8 - 10:00 am

  After fifteen years of lugging around kids in the SUV or minivan du jour, what a dream come true! This car is too much fun to drive. Too bad Celine Dion is the spokesperson. The queen of bland doesnt begin to do this car justice.

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  Great Value! - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By George Wilson - April 7 - 2:57 pm

  Good performance and economy from the V6 power plant. Responsive handling and relatively short turning radius for parking and driving around in town. Extra features for reasonable cost.

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  Baby Bentley-Chrysler 300...WOW! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Jane Doe - April 7 - 11:30 am

  Beautiful car at a great price....this "Baby Bentley" car looks like it costs $60,000 but I only paid $24,000. I have gotten so many compliments and head turns that it is not even funny...on my "cool vanilla" 300.

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  My Cool Vanilla 300C - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Edyth - April 5 - 5:40 pm

  I love this car more than my ex husband ( when I loved him that is). It is beautiful and sexy and everyone stares at it. It is comfortable and I love everything about it- I have it loaded. The one thing I miss and it does not have are headlight washers and smart head lights. I love to step on the gas and leave everyone in the dust. My license plate is on its way. It will be "Cagney" because "Capone" was taken as was Soprano. was taken!!!!!!

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  A best BUY for me - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Frank Scott - April 5 - 5:33 am

  I saw an add about this new 300 and it was a really nice looking car. When I saw it in person I knew that it was the car for me. I took it for a test drive and it was a great ride. I did a little research on the internet and found out there was a Signature Series available. I wanted to know what this was. When I saw it I said WOW what a Buy. GPS, Deluxe sound system, and moonroof, you can not with any other car beat the price. Go look at it and you will buy one. It looks better than my wifes Caddy. She is a caddy person and she was really impressed. Chrysler out did themselves on this car. They have a winner. The 3.5L 6 cyl is more than enough power.

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  Fun car - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By oktxcajun - April 4 - 9:20 pm

  I also havea 06 LHS, 2000 LHS, but enjoy my 300C more, although the front seat are not as comfortable as the 96 or 2000. The electric seats do not move like the 96 or 2000. I like the 5 speed auto trans. The trunk space is quite a bit small that the previous LHSs. Gas economy is as posted on the window. I sure hope the lock selenoids are better that the 2000. I have replaced all four on the 2000 over the last two years.

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  Fun car - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By oktxcajun - April 4 - 7:56 pm

  I also havea 06 LHS, 2000 LHS, but enjoy my 300C more, although the front seat are not as comfortable as the 96 or 2000. The electric seats do not move like the 96 or 2000. I like the 5 speed auto trans. The trunk space is quite a bit small that the previous LHSs. Gas economy is as posted on the window. I sure hope the lock selenoids are better that the 2000. I have replaced all four on the 2000 over the last two years.

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  Fun car - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By oktxcajun - April 4 - 6:50 pm

  I also havea 06 LHS, 2000 LHS, but enjoy my 300C more, although the front seat are not as comfortable as the 96 or 2000. The electric seats do not move like the 96 or 2000. I like the 5 speed auto trans. The trunk space is quite a bit small that the previous LHSs. Gas economy is as posted on the window. I sure hope the lock selenoids are better that the 2000. I have replaced all four on the 2000 over the last two years.