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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  3.5 Months and still very happy - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By GREGG - July 18 - 2:50 pm

  All is well with our 07 Pac. We were finally able to get out of the house for a wedding in RI and all four of us piled in. The Nav system was fantastic! The fuel economy was equally fantastic, averaging 65-70 mph we yielded 26 MPG carrying a load of about 900 lbs. Around town we get 15 mpg. Honestly, we could do 800-1000 miles in a day with this vehicle. Between the DVD in the back, 4 heated, adjustable, tilting seats, the Nav system, and a 23 gallon fuel tank it was effortless. We stopped for lunch after 2.75 hrs and my son (64", 220 lbs) could not believe we were in the car that long. He was involved in the movies in the back seats. Most importantly, my wife loves it!

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  Happy - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Vic - July 18 - 10:00 am

  We have enjoyed this vehicle very much. It is fun to drive, and comfortable riding. It looks like a high priced luxuary vehicle. Fuel ecomony on the low side but very powerful engine.

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  Balays Opinion - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Balay - July 16 - 10:00 am

  I thought it was very comfortable, compatable. It has its own unique feeling to it. When your driving you feel one on one with the car. Its the type of car you feel very safe in like you have nothing to worry about going wrong, especially with the stablity control,four-wheel ABS,emergency braking system and front-side mounted airbags.

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  Crossfired - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By halciemac - July 16 - 10:00 am

  I have owned this vehicle for one week and I have to say it is the best vehicle chrysler has produce recent memory. It is very solid and quiet at speed, the styling get looks everywhere. I have had people in BMWs, Corvettes and Mercedes all give me the thumbs up. The vehicle seems to transend age, young and old alike find the vehicle extremely appealing.

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  Cruising in Style - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Steelcity57 - July 16 - 10:00 am

  Overall, the vehicle looks great and handles great. It reacts well too. You feel every bump in the road but this is no different from other vehicles in its class. I think fuel economy should be better. I average what the fuel economy sticker averages says 21 to 25 mpg. I am happy with my purchase.

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  Not for city living - 2006 Chrysler Sebring
  By Matt - July 15 - 9:50 pm

  We bought our 06 Sebring convertible in Naples, Florida. Put about 25,000 miles on it while living in Florida. No mechanical problems to speak of. Moved to Atlanta, Georgia for work. pothole central. In less than 4 months, the convertible went from a smooth driving vehicle to the noisest car Ive ever owned. Its the windows/roof/doors that rattle. The rattles are constant. I think its a combination of 2 things: In Florida I kept the top down all of the time. Lousy city streets. Great car, but if rattles bother you, this is not the car for you. We are trading for a new sedan, as we cant take the noise. Poor build quality. No mechanical problems to speak of, though. noisy.

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  Still Own and Drive It - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By Russel Fischer - July 15 - 1:04 pm

  We purchased this vehicle new in early 1999 and still own and drive it daily because it totally serves our needs. The 300M has been very reliable, still has solid looks and is very comfotable, economical but sporty.

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  German engineering in disguise - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By ProudCrossfireOwner - July 15 - 6:30 am

  I bought the car because it offers good value for the performance and reliability that comes from the Mercedez Benz pedigree. I love the car because, beyond the technology and engineering, it is fun to drive and hassle-free! And at 6 ft tall and 175 lbs, Ive never encountered any issues with the interior being small!

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  I love my 300c - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By ROSE - July 14 - 12:53 pm

  This is the most fun car Ive ever owned. I would not recommend the cheap 300 though. The whole experience is so much better when you get it for 40k instead of 20 whatever. Its a great ride, the Hemi is great, the nav. system is never wrong, I love this car and dont know what Id rather drive! Sweet ride

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  Reliable and Great Value - 2000 Chrysler Concorde
  By Car Lover - July 13 - 6:16 pm

  Bought this one new. It is extremely reliable, inexpensive to maintain, has the ride of a luxury car 3x the price, has the fuel economy of a car half the size and handles like a charm. This car has to be one of the most under-appreciated, under-rated American cars ever built! Wish Id bought two of em!