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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  love my car - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By therese mattingly - April 4 - 1:10 pm

  i traded my chrysler mini van in for the pacifica, and could not be happier. i feel like i am in a sports car. rides and handles awesome. i would highly recommend this car.

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  My first Chrysler: a Winner! - 1997 Chrysler LHS
  By John M, - March 24 - 6:26 pm

  We bought this May 1997 LHS as a used car in Sept. of 1999. We had retired and wanted to travel in comfort. This car has more than filled the bill. Only "troubles" have been waking up to a dead battery and waiting for rural road service for a flat tire. Oh, one minor nuisance is that the gasket on the passenger door occasionally slips off track. The car runs perfectly on regular gasoline. We have it serviced regularly at Dover Chrysler. Interior - and leather - is pristine. Exterior is gleaming and impressive. Always garaged. Our custom is to keep a car no longer than 8 years so we are reluctantly looking for a newer car.

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  Loe This Betty - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By mercedez - March 23 - 5:10 pm

  great, the newer design from the model of 1996 compared to the new one I have now has greatly improved on the enteior design of the side wall of the back seat area, Good Job Boys

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  Great car - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By MARCI - March 22 - 7:58 pm

  I use to drive a continential and bought this car. I love it. It has all the things in it that i had in the other except for less room. Its alot of fun to drive also.

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  Very Impressed - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By DMS300C - March 22 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned a 300C for 3 weeks. This is the slickest package of design, performance, options, and relative cost in the market.Its cabin is far quieter than its predecessor, the 300M. That car was fun to drive and competent, but you didnt feel like you were in a worldclass automobile. I test drove 3 Mercedes 2001 S class cars. The 300C is not quite an S class, but dollar for dollar in performance and cabin feel(comfort and spaciousness, not luxury appointments) its real good. For 40% the price, its 80% the car. The "Bentley on steroids" looks, and aggressive personality make this car really fun to drive.Chrysler has built 2005s car of the year.

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  Eye Appeal - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Antonio - March 20 - 2:56 pm

  My Crossfire has sure captured the attention of all motorists I have encountered. This vehicle is extremely well built, excellent road handling and fun to drive.

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  So far so good - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By DurangoMan - March 20 - 10:00 am

  Bought the car for the wife. Our first convertible and we both like it very much(actually, shes in love with it). Weve had it only for a week and its definitely a keeper. While Im a SUV guy, I cant complain about the interior room for a convertible. The exterior is nice but still a "girly" or feminine car. Performance is great and the sport suspension handles the road very well. Acceleration is surprisingly aggresive. Definitely build to be driven with the top down (not enough head room with top up). The 2-tone leather and 4 disc in-dash with 150w Infinity speakers are worth every penny.

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  pacifica - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By pbramel - March 20 - 5:43 am

  0ne of the best cars I have ever owned. I am 69 yrs. old. The only problem for me is that there are too many dials on the console.

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  "Bombastic !!!" - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Johnny - March 19 - 10:20 am

  Test drove all three models (Hemi last). Boy was that fun. Best Car I have ever owned. MOST BANG FOR THE BUCK than anything in or out of class. Have not had it on the open road, but am impressed on local highways. Power is key with this piece of joy.

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  My Chrysler 300 Touring - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By William - March 18 - 9:00 pm

  im very happy with the looks & ride of my 300, however i have had so issues with the electrical system. when pressing the brakes, turning the steering wheel, turning on/off the a/c, etc. the headlights & interior lights dim! i took it back to the dealer several times only to be told that its normal. i dont think thats normal for a brand new $30,000 car. it even stalled once while parked & turning the steering all the way to the side. thats not right! another problem ive noticed was that some times my rear windows dont roll down until about the 4th or 5th attempt! Looks good, Rides Good, Very POOR Electrical system & customer service!