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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  Great Minivan - 2000 Chrysler Voyager
  By Daigs - August 5 - 12:29 pm

  For an entry level minivan, I wasnt expecting much at all. The ride on the Voyager is pretty darn good. Acceleration is smooth and peppy. Ive also had no problems whatsoever. Its been extremely reliable!

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  Love the car but... - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By frjoel - August 4 - 9:54 pm

  As a senior citizen driving a 2005 Pacifica Touring AWD I thought I had found my ‘dream car.’ The car handles well, offers outstanding comfort and provides all of the options I could want. The fuel consumption is not outstanding but about what I would expect given the size of the car. The in dash GPS is nicely done with the exception of the maps provided. These are poorer than any of the three after market GPS units that we have in our other cars. Still I use the past tense in describing it as my ‘dream car’ because I began to have problems with oil consumption. I have since learned that Chrysler claims that using one quart of oil every 1000 thousand miles is ‘normal’ for their 3.5L engine.

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  300C - Wow! - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By David - August 4 - 11:06 am

  I test cars for a living - and this machine is terrific. Its ride is every bit as good as a Lexus and if you decide to push the pedal, youd better have the head restraint adjusted up! The transmission is seamless, the interior controls are easy to use under any condition (I think they could have done a better job with the crusie control). Seats adjust great and a very comfortable on long drives. AND - its definitely a head turner.

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  Best car I have ever owned - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Dyno - August 4 - 10:00 am

  I have had over 30 cars, many of them Chryslers, some GMs, many Fords. I have also owned a Mercedes CLK430. This one has them all beat. The fit, finish, stance, is befitting cars twice its price. And it goes like the hemis of old, and I have a few of them. I have a concours 1957 Chrysler 300 C and this is a worthy successor to one of the finest performance cars in history. What I truly love about the car is that it makes me proud to drive a Chrysler again.

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  Con tires - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By GCHATLOS - August 3 - 9:53 pm

  Chrysler needs to get a different tire , my self sealing tires got only 10k, and they were shot. Continetal tire would do nothing, said thats the life expectancy!!!!!!!!

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  Best hidden gem of all SUVs on market - 2007 Chrysler Aspen
  By Double B - August 3 - 6:50 pm

  One word: phenomenal. The second I saw a printed ad of this vehicle, I told my wife "thats it." Wed been shopping for 12-18 months. I rented one on a business trip and immediately began visiting dealerships upon returning. Bought one used, saved thousands, couldnt be happier. Were leaning toward a 2007 Yukon/Tahoe, but their 3rd seat has to be lifted out, doesnt mostly fold into floor like the Aspen. Ridiculous. Im an older Gen Xer and I still get told "sweet ride" by the younger crowd. My kids are thrilled, wife hauls the groceries seemlessly, and I just punch the Hemi when hauling our boat. Superb vehicle. This is the sleeper SUV no ones talking about.

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  Dream Car - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By DREAM SRT-6 - August 3 - 10:24 am

  I love the get and go of the car. Sometimes I have to stop myself from taking off too fast. The handling is great but the ride is kind of rough with the stiff suspension. The interior could use a lot of upgrades for the price you pay for the SRT-6.

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  Very safe - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By melissa - August 2 - 11:37 pm

  We bought our car used with 47000km on it. since buying it we put 75000km. problems started with the heat blower at around 100000km we were supposed to be covered bumper to bumper warranty but it showed that the coolant system needed a hose replace and it wasnt covered. so we had to fork over $600. around the same time the transmission started to stick and several tests could find no problems but every time you shifted fro park to drive etc, you got a jolt. we ended up leaving the transmission for awhile and got into an accident that totaled the car, hit on the passengers side front end, my husband, my 8 month old baby and myself walked away with minor cuts and bruises, the car was great!

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  Best car of the chryslers - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By james & carrie - August 1 - 12:19 am

  The 300M is the best car weve driven. Other than having to replace the radiator and replacing a bolt, weve had no other problems. It rides very smooth. I would recommend the 300M to all my friends and family

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  Used Car Bargain - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By gtk - July 31 - 3:53 am

  We just purchase a 04 PT Cruiser Platinum Turbo. Car listed for over $26k, and we purchased it for 1/2 price with only 20k miles. This car is still a Head Turner and the dark gray platinum paint with all the chrome accents make a great package. The car has great acceleration, and still gives adequate gas mileage. This is the swiss army knife of autos with all the different configurations.