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:

• 

  Raditor - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Chuck P - August 30 - 8:23 am

  This is a very reliable car, its not going to win any drag races, but considering the fuel economy and the spacious amount of interior room, the car is very good. Only negative Ive had; is I had to replace the radiator at only 70,000 miles, as the bottom valve was leaking, and not repairable, had to purchase another radiator.

• 

  Awesome Vehicle - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By DAN - August 29 - 10:05 am

  Chrysler has completely outdone themselves with re-designing the 07 Sebring. There isnt much leg room in the back seating area and the sound system wasnt as good as I thought it would be. Other than those 2 minor things.. I absolutely love everything about this car and if youre thinking about purchasing one.. dont think any more. Go out, get your best price and buy it!

• 

  Re: A Dream - 2015 Chrysler 300
  By K Fra - August 28 - 10:09 pm

  The 2015 Chrysler 300 C stands firm as a quality American vehicle. I traded in my 2012 Dodge Charger for less sport and more luxury. The only disadvantage is the 300 does not have EcoBoost. You will run your a/c and loose gas quickly. I could run my charger and get ice cold air without ever using the a/c and it barely used gas. I stay with the same manufacturer but forgot to research the EcoBoost.......that says a lot too!!!! The 300 does not disappoint.....the baby soft leather interior is so top of the line!!!!!

• 

  DC AWESOME - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By TX XFire - August 28 - 10:00 am

  This is one great looking car. Drvives like a Mercedes--because it basically is one. Great handling and engine. Watch out though, people will stop you everytime to look at the car.

• 

  I love this car - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Gustavo - August 28 - 10:00 am

  Engine power are real stuff, Leather seats are unique just like my BMW seats

• 

  Nothing but problems - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By sexysloth - August 28 - 7:31 am

  This is one of the worst cars Ive ever owned or driven. It gets very poor gas mileage and the acceleration is extremely poor. If even a drop of water get on the seats, it leaves a watermark youll never be able to get out. The dashboard is poorly laid out and I personally hate the circular design of the dash. The check engine light went on and off intermittently for a year, mechanics had no idea what was wrong with it. Whenever anyone sat in the passenger seat, the airbag light dinged loudly every 5 minutes. The car shook violently when idling or over 45-50mph. At 60k miles, the engine was completely shot. We ended up trading it in to a dealership at an extremely low price for a Ford.

• 

  good? - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By callmedot118 - August 28 - 12:06 am

  this car is amazing, it drives well, and has the most comfortable seats. its definitely a great car.

• 

  300C in Retrospect - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Richard - August 27 - 9:13 pm

  This is the 2d 300. They both wear out the left front tire on the outside. That means the caster camber if off from assembly. The breaks pulsate at 20K miles. That means improper cooling. The deck lid has no handle to lift it up with. If your car is dirty, your hand gets dirty too. That is not practical. The horn needs to be more sensitive. The rear compartment air vents dont deliver what they should for the price. I was supprised that the chrome wheels were made of plastic along with the mirrors -- for the price they should have been the real thing.

• 

  Awesome - 2007 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Joe - August 27 - 3:17 pm

  The car has been an eye turner from day one. Chrysler did an over-the-top job in building it. I have more people coment on it. Fast, sporty great looking/sexy. Look into it, you wont regret it.

• 

  One of the best! - 2000 Chrysler Concorde
  By roland - August 26 - 2:50 pm

  This car has been excellent, fun to drive, gas mileage 22/28 with the 3.2V6, no repairs up to now. Love the interior space, the exterior looks, all of this on regular gas. A most comfortable car, fairly quiet and very good suspension. Chrysler hit a home run on this one its a shame that it was discontinued.