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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  A Great Crossover - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Michael Franks - July 24 - 11:30 am

  2007 Pacifica really takes this car to another level. New 4.0L V-6 and 6- speed tranny provide the performance transfusion that makes this a fun to drive vehicle, and fulfills its promise as a true car-like crossover vehicle. Steering response is improved, interior noise is down and the rear camera is helpful. Nice job Chrysler.

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  I really love my car - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Connie Hawkins - July 23 - 6:56 pm

  We had a Pacifica as a rental car a couple of times, I liked them so much I bought one......I love the way it handles (was awasome in the snow)it zips in and out of traffic like a small car but has lots of room like a big car. Has a lot of get up and go. I love that it feels so posh inside and is so very quite it relly is like being in Benz. I have a bad back so one of the things is, it is easy to load up (it is a great level) and the seats are fanny level, I dont have to climb up or drop down. I have had it almost a year and have no problems.

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  the best full size suv for the money. - 2007 Chrysler Aspen
  By steve jennings - July 23 - 10:21 am

  When driving this vehicle you get a sense mof comfort and exictment. this is truly the chrysler 300 of the large suv segment. WE purchased this vehicle because of its looks and because we have not seen to many of this car.The people that think that the aspen is a redesigned Durango need to look twice. The only similarity is the platform that both sit on.

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  What a car!!!! - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By Jim - July 23 - 10:16 am

  What a car is all I can say. My wife loves the car. I got the 18 inch wheels and I cannot believe how a big car handles. I opened it up on a empty highway for the first time yesterday and at 110 m.p.h. it was like a Lexus no noise and hugged the road terrific. If you put a Lexus badge on this car, you could easily double the price. Best car for the money!!!!!

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  good pacifica - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By davison - July 22 - 5:41 pm

  car is fun drive andhas excellent pickup and response. smooth on the highway and extremely quiet

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  This car rocks! - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Steve - July 22 - 12:53 pm

  This has been the funnest car that I ever had. A great riding car. Gets 29 mpg average, sometimes better. Everyone wants to ride in the car.

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  My Gold Pacifica - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Jim Steiger - July 21 - 8:10 pm

  MUCH more room than my wifes Durango

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  NEEDS SOME IMPROVEMENT - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By GENE - July 19 - 3:47 pm

  very poor on gas milage I am averaging on 12.5 mpg. their should be a valet key to lock the truck and glove box.The remote key fob does not always work to lower the top.The u connect voice system is not very easy to work it does not have a good voice recognition.

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  The best car I ever owned - 2001 Chrysler LHS
  By Chris S. - July 19 - 6:22 am

  I travel a lot in this car and its just reliable. Now with more than 100k miles, just keeps going and doesnt require a lot of maintenance. Very comfortble and solid performance!

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  Comfortable Cruiser - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By NickDC10 - July 18 - 11:38 pm

  My wife and I recently returned from a trip to South Carolina. 1500 miles round trip. We averaged 24mpg on the highway at 75-80mph. Car handled great, was quiet, and comfortable. Loved being able to go almost 500 miles on a tank of gas. Good stereo too