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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  NICE, BUT..... - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Biscuit - July 10 - 10:00 am

  Great pick up. Rear window narrower than I would like ...after a month I hope the mileage gets better. Fun to drive ...l

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  No Flaws - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Declan1 - July 10 - 10:00 am

  My wife gets a new car through the lease program about every 10 months. This is our 7th car in 5 years and I have to say it is the cream of the crop. The extras this car offers set it apart; navigation system, dvd plaver with 6 disc changer, auto liftgate, user memory in the keyless remotes and so on. The sound system is also second to none. Its like having a home theatre system in your driveway. Chrysler has hit a home run with this one!

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  Awesome Machine.. - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By KPAR - July 10 - 10:00 am

  Love it! Preferred over a minivan or car. Turns heads on the street.

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  Solidly built car - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By indianasmith - July 10 - 10:00 am

  Best car I ever owned for reliability, comfort & style. More fun to drive around town than my wifes Lexus. Gas milage is so so. Utility is better than a larger wagon. Turning radius is a minus.

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  Best fun car ever - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By tahoelen - July 10 - 10:00 am

  Best family car I have owned in years, large interior, easy in and out of car movement. Has power in the Mountains as well as in town. Hope they continue to make this PT CRUISER Forever

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  SO FUN - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By VickyPTturbo - July 10 - 10:00 am

  The PT Cruiser has always been my favorite, I had a 2002 touring edition and now I have the GT turbo. It has always been fun with both models, very comfortable to drive and good handling. Never let me down!!!

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  Lemon Lemon Lemon - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Lance Bass - July 10 - 12:36 am

  PT Cruisers are lemons. After only 6 months with a brand new PT Cruiser I had to have the engine replaced and the entire electrical wiring replaced. The car has spent more time in the shop than it has spent in my drive way. Do not buy a pt cruiser.

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  Surprising quality and performance - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By Robert J. - July 9 - 6:43 pm

  This is my third Sebring convertible. I had a 1999 and 2004. I am happy with the build quality, fuel economy and performance so far. I have owned the car for five weeks and have driven about 1800 miles. This is a base car and the 2.4 liter four is close to the Toyota four in smoothness and lack of noise. On a short trip (220 miles) on 2 lane highways with a number of rolling hills (not mountains) I got 27.5 mpg. The city mileage with the AC on is about 20 so far. This is not a fast luxury sporty car, but especially for the money I am very pleased so far.

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  Fun and versatile - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By kelo - July 8 - 9:06 am

  Lots of interior room and fun to drive car. The that has looks to boot!

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  Pacifica - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Paul Chapman16 - July 7 - 10:56 pm

  We purchased the pacifica two weeks ago, so I really cant speak to its reliability, but so far we are happy with its handling and comfort. We have the front wheel drive version and it seems to handle well in snowy consitions. The inside is roomy and makes tou feel like you are in a much larger vehicle. As we have found with most Chrysler vehicles the seat belts are difficult to find and release.