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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  Enjoyable ride for a family car - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Rusty P. - September 3 - 3:40 am

  We purchased the Pacifica 5 months ago because of its interior room and styling. With 3 children (ages 15, 16, 20), we needed something that was comfortable for a family of 5 adults and the Pacifica delivered comfort for all. It has a very smooth ride and the handling is outstanding, especially for a vehicle that large. The feel on the road is solid. Acceleration from a stop is not impressive, but once the car gets moving, acceleration is excellent. Cargo space with all of the seats in use is limited, but each of the 4 seats fold out of the way independently, giving you lots of options. Gas mileage is consistent- about 19 mpg in mixed city driving. There have been no reliability issues

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  Love it! - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By al hum - September 2 - 7:40 pm

  The ride It is roomy, even with tripletts in car seats. The instrument panel is easy seen,and we love the memory seat and mirrors. And it is easy enter and exit the vehicle...like driving a "sports"van lots of room when third row seating not being used

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  Mercedes in a Chrysler - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Waldo - September 2 - 10:00 am

  After driving minivans my spouse was more than ready for this! I do not know from where Ron from OR was talking about. I think the strength of this auto is its handling ability. What a smooth ride. I would agree that even with the 6cycl. it needs a bit more pick-up. AND, after driving fish bowls for the past few years the visibility is not as good--bigger back window needed. Do adults ever seat in rear- rear seats?!

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  Nothing But Problems - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Frank - September 2 - 8:16 am

  My 2006 Pacifica has been nothing but problems. Warped rotors, transmission issues, high idle on three occassions, exterior windshield gasket falling off, body molding/trim on drivers side of vehicle pulling away from frame of car...and several other issues. The car has only 18,000 miles on it, but it seems that it has spent more time in the dealers garage than it has in my own. Ive never had a vehicle with so many issues, and Ive had 19 vehicles in 25 years. The dealer has been cooperative and accomodating on most issues, but weve had so many problems, the service manager knows us so well that no appointment is necessary. We just bring it in. Has been a very bad experience.

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  Value Leader - 2007 Chrysler Aspen
  By AHurst - September 1 - 11:17 pm

  Bought a Yukon Denali in March 07. Sold it 90 days later because I hated the 3rd row seats that had to be removed. To replace it, I test drove a Jeep Commander, Mercedes GL 450, Nissan Armada & Pathfinder, Infiniti QX56, Toyota 4Runner, Ford Explorer & Expedition, Acura MDX, etc.-all with fold flat 3rd rows. With 3 kids, I need separation on trips. The most accommodating vehicle in terms of comfort and functionality was the Expedition. 3rd row is comfortable even for adults. Steering is accurate and has good feel. Seats are fantastic. But V8 is weak! Jeep Commander (Hemi) was next and had more features than Aspen (i.e. rain sensing wipers), but interior was too tight. Aspen had same Hemi.

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  Pacifica Review - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Linda Huffman - September 1 - 7:56 pm

  Visibility poor. Too many blind spots and back window much too high and small. Center console not designed for the convenience of the driver. Road noise when windows are up is a disapointment.

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  Fit and features - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By RG - September 1 - 11:13 am

  Great looking car. Fun to drive with ample power. 3.5L is not as quite and smooth as some Japanese 4 cyl. engines, Lots of standard features. Excellent interior finish. Outside visibility when turning turning left is limited by the big rear view mirror and the wide front left colunm.

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  2nd Update - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By 1month - September 1 - 4:33 am

  This is an update after about 1 month of owning my PT GT. The new has now worn off, and its true colors are coming out. I dont know if there is a little something not right about it, or if its normal for a turbo, but it seems to lack power. Taking off from a stoplight, the rpms easily push near 3000, but the acceleration is still just normal. Some days seems better than others, though. Bottom line: when you floor it, it goes pretty strongly, but under normal driving, its nothing to phone home about.

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  Chrysler 300 Limited - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Eldon McCrary - August 31 - 5:10 pm

  I purchased a Cool Vanila, that attracts attention and returns favorable comments. I chose the 3.5L engine. It does a good job but I would not want the smaller engine.

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  Sweet Ride - 1995 Chrysler Concorde
  By CryingGirl - August 30 - 2:50 pm

  This car is so nice. I loved mine while i had it, Roomy, good sound, very comfortable on long drives and just jaunting around town