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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  300srt8 - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By RK - January 30 - 6:43 am

  Have the car for almost 2 months. I would never think that Id buy american auto but ..... Test drove/compared it to both a6s, RL, bmw 530, 350 MB, infinity m 35/45 and lexus 430. None of the cars have the combination of power, comfort, breaking, handling and value for $$$. What a great car!!!! Everything youve read is true. For an everyday driving, it doesnt get any better than this. If you thinking about getting it - buy it, you wont regret.

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  300c srt8 - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Brad - January 28 - 4:23 pm

  This car is the most fun car to drive when looking for a vehicle that will look like the family car with the performance to take on just about anything.

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  It has a humidor. - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Fourty1 - January 27 - 6:51 pm

  it grabs the road like a champ, and tells you when anything... and I mean anything is less than perfect with the car in terms of maintenance. An amazing ride that turns heads everywhere.

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  mbepic review - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By mbepic - January 27 - 10:00 am

  I find this vehicle to be a very solid, good handling car. The six speed manual transmission is great and the clutch is smooth. I am confident that the vehicle is well built and after putting 7000 miles and owning for 6mths, driving everyday, the car has had virtually know problems.

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  Great Car - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By bjkeir - January 27 - 10:00 am

  The 300 is not only a smart car it is one Sophisticated automoblie on the outside yet sporty on the inside. Makes you feel great to drive it. This Auto has great control around cornors and in bad weather.

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  Best Sedan out there, period! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Jason Walker - January 26 - 4:23 pm

  Very nice car!! Needs back seat heaters however, and better designed cup holders. Also needs a locking gas filler door! For $37K you would think there would be a locking gas filler door!! Also needs DVD player option with the GPS feature, at least while the car is parked.

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  Awesome - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Head turner - January 24 - 2:00 am

  This is the best car I have ever owned!

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  It about time!!!! - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By It about time!!! - January 24 - 2:00 am

  I love this car, it looks and handles like a dream. Lost of pep for a 4 banger!!! Im thinking about stepping up to the 2003 turbo.

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  Buda Love - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Lady Ech0 - January 24 - 2:00 am

  I named my 2003 Steel Blue Cruiser "Buda", because its rounded features just make you smile - like Buda. With a 5-speed manual transmission, the car handles even better than anticipated, corners well at high speeds, and has lots of power. One thing to know, you must have your hands on the wheel while driving, especially on rough roads because the steering is sensitive to the road, probably due to proximity of linkage to wheels and axle. But this is true of many cars. The PT Cruiser is one of the best cars on the road. I love it and I cant wipe the grin off my face while driving my "Buda."

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  200C My Dream Car - 2016 Chrysler 200
  By Joseph S. - January 21 - 9:20 pm

  My 200C is only two months old but if it is as durable as my 2007 Sebring, it will be winner. I have all the electronic packages such as lane sensing, blind spot monitoring, back up camera, adaptive speed control, navigation, heated seats and heated steering wheel. I suggest every buyer select these options because the safety benefits are immeasurable. The transmission is so smooth you would think it is not there. The car is equipped with a four cylinder engine which provides adequate acceleration but outstanding gas mileage. Being 6 feet in height, I do not find headroom tight in the back seat. The body is rock solid and the interior comfort and interior materials used are of the best quality. What more could anybody ask for?