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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  #1 rated car in 2014 - NOT - 2014 Chrysler 300
  By Terri Henry - August 21 - 7:09 am

  I wanted a car with luxury, this cars ride was awesome. Unfortunately, it spend more time in the shop. It has heating/cooling issues, took a year for them to identify the issue, and this after we got Chrysler involved. It would blow extremely hot air even when AC was one. They just kept telling me there was nothing wrong with it. Very aggravating. We finally got that fixed and when I picked up the car after that was fixed, something else was wrong. I brought it back and they said my power steering pump was gone. Really? Barely covered under warranty, now out of warranty a day later. Traded this money suck in!!

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  Badubagirls C - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Badubagirl - August 21 - 1:56 am

  The best car Ive ever owned. I really enjoy the driving experience and it is pleasing to have so many people stop to take a second look at it. The most frequent comment is "Oh! I really do want one of those. Is it as good as it looks?" I am happy to give them an honest answer when I reply, "No, its even better!".

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  3 years ownership - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By schatzieII - August 20 - 7:50 pm

  No problems at all. Added dual exhast and airaid system. Opened hood trim for ram air effect. Very very fast. Have automatic -it downshifts to first say at 20 mph... hold on.. smokes tires and the ride is wild. Utility is great. Best gas mileage on road 23 MPG. Get a boost gauge. Install on PVC line. I get 13 to 15 lbs boost.. 25 vacuum. Drive at 15 vacuum in city for best mileage. Turbo will save your butt getting into traffic. Stay low on chrome. I have painted factory wheels, chrome door handle insets and Xeonon rear spoiler. Put money inside.. Aluminum floor mats.. Aluminum trim around dash and console and dash cover. Wow! looks great. PS. Waxed... turbo minis

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  Excellent Sports Car - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Gojira - August 19 - 5:43 pm

  I bought this car used a few years after its debut. I loved it from the beginning but prices came down to the point I could grab one. Im glad I did. This is a very fun car with a passionate design and a character all its own. Ive had small mechanical issues (squeaky window, loose shift knob) but no major problems. Fast. Handles beautifully. Quiet for this type of car. Standard traction and stability control made winter driving much easier than I expected. No problems.

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  What a Car - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By tsgtret89 - August 19 - 10:00 am

  My 2005 PT Convertible has been a great car. We did have a wheel bearing go and the roof/windows needed repair. Other than this, it is the first new car I have ever been happy with. Ive owned GM cars, Fords and a couple rice burners. Non of them even begin to compare with the drivability and fun that this little car affords. Gas mileage is around 25 mpg, but it does have a turbo and 220 hp. Its too bad they are going to stop making a car that most every one loves. Id buy mine all over again, but would really try to get a better price. $28,000.

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  Awesome! - 2006 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Shagfire - August 18 - 10:22 pm

  Ive only had the car a couple of weeks, but it is a blast to drive! It gets a lot of looks from passersby. This car comes highly recommended by all agents in the car industry that we have spoken to. I look forward to many years of driving this sweet little beauty.

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  The major engine problem ruins - 2000 Chrysler Concorde
  By Legalmanager - August 17 - 7:43 pm

  I bought the car new from dealer and had 66,000 miles on it with a near perfect maintenance record, then this past week, the check engine light came on. I was told by the dealer I would need a rebuild engine at a cost of almost $8,000. I have since learned at various web sites, this is a common problem due to the infamous 2.7 liter engine and excessive oil sludge. A second, independent repair shop indicated this is a long known problem. After buying four brand new Chrysler cars over the past 20 years, Im extremely disappointed with how they are taking care of (now-former) long term customers.

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  Fun to drive - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By RJO - August 17 - 7:46 am

  Got mine on june 19 - now has 4500 miles- tops been up and down a hundred times and it works fine. It is a hard top. Got 26.1mpg on a trip on interstate highways and around town 20 to 22 mpg. It is a fun car 2 drive and the top going down turns heads. I put two carry golfbags in trunk w/top down.

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  Be Careful of The Convertible Top - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By PhillyPa - August 16 - 10:09 pm

  I have had this car for two months and 3000 miles. Its left me stranded twice so far. When putting the roof down, the trunk did not close (twice now). Roadside asst. will not tow it with the trunk open. You have to drive it very slowly back to te dealership with the truck open like a sail. Ive been waiting two weeks now for parts to have it fixed. I also have a 2001 Sebring with 122,000 mile and had no problems with it. Needless to say, this model is a huge let down so far. Hopefully, I wont be too far from home the next time it breaks.

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  Superb comfort - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Kathy - August 16 - 1:51 pm

  We love this car! Comfortable for 4 adults on a 4000 mile trip, with room to spare (using a roof carrier). We consistently averaged 23-24 mpg on the interstate systems, driving 75 mph. This vehicle is a replacement for a Lincoln Town Car, and it is every bit as comfortable