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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  I will miss this car - 2001 Chrysler 300M
  By Ohiocat - October 12 - 2:00 am

  Lease up on this vehicle and no more 300Ms with new 300 design. What a great car! Fun to drive, no maintenance issues, with exception of a possible short causing dash lists to bright/dim - no biggie. Auto haet/cooling feature was a challenge getting temp right - a bit too cold or hot. Sad that I cannot buy a 05 model. Will probably try the new 300 Limited. Hopefully, it will perform as well as this car.

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  great car - 1994 Chrysler LHS
  By driver12354 - October 8 - 2:00 am

  car is fun to have

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  Drives like a nice car! - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By CarReviewer - October 7 - 7:18 pm

  CarReviewer 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Limited with Mocha interior, advanced safety tech, towing, 20" tires drives better than anything I compared in its price range and even ones that can cost more. It has more features and free XM Sirius for a year, 5 years Travel Link, 0%, rebates, etc. You get a lot for your money when compared to other vehicles. Drives like a very good handling car. Traded in 2010 Ford Flex Limited Ecoboost which was a very good vehicle but Pacifica is better. Well designed minivan, very comfortable, handles well, quiet, smooth driving, good gas mileage, very good stereo, easy to use Nav, great looking inside and out, actually fun and enjoyable to drive, roomy, a lot of storage area, stow and go seats, safety features and more. Did a lot of research for many months even before Pacifica was available and test drove many vehicles including redesigned Mazda CX9, Infiniti, Explorer, Durango, Grand Cherokee, Nissan Pathfinder, Acura MDX, Toyota Highlander, Lexus 350 and others. Drove other minivans in past and didnt care for most interior styling. Pacifica drives better than crossovers. Doesnt seem floaty on highways like some crossovers. Very planted. You dont think your driving a minivan. Very well designed vehicle and put together well with quality looks and parts. So far extremely happy. I dont work for a dealership. Just a very satisfied consumer and I look forward to taking drives in my new Pacifica. I owned a first year model 2005 Chrysler 300C for over 8 years with no problems other than a knob breaking on NAV when they had knobs and got a very good trade in on a leftover 2012 Chrysler 300C Luxury Series I bought in 2013 - a very good vehicle as well. Even though one always wonders about reliability and buying first year cars, Ive had good luck with Chryslers and they keep getting better.

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  So far so good (4 months) - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Satisfied so Far - October 7 - 4:13 pm

  Bought this limited this summer before kick to open doors and vacuum included. 7000+ miles including a long road trip. Excellent adaptive cruise and braking-- saved us from 3 accidents so far. Auto wipers and high beams work well. Top of the line stereo a little muddy sounding. Gas mileage for me a bit disappointing-- averaging 18 mpg-- mostly city driving. Handles great. Couple minor defects so far. Wish it came with apple car play this year. HIghly Recommend the Limited!

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  My Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Sade - October 7 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my vehicle for Thanksgiving.I absolutely love it. I t has been the talk of the family. The ride, the seating, and the look. The appearance is very classy, and the ride is smooth and controlled. I have not had this much fun driving a vehicle in years. It is absolutely the best. I love it. Oh the sound system and DVD player is exceptional, the children cannot get enough. They love it so much theyve invited their friends to go everywhere with us.

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  love my car!! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By TASMITH - October 7 - 2:00 am

  I LOVE MY CAR! I DIDNT START OUT LOOKING AT THE PACIFICA. WE WENT TO TEST DRIVE A TOWN AND COUNTRY MINI VAN. THE VAN WAS NICE BUT PARKED NEXT TO IT WAS A FULLY LOADED PACIFICA. IT LOOKED SO SPORTY COMPARED TO THE MINI VAN. WE TEST DROVE IT AND WERE SOLD. IT HAS EVERYTHING WE HAD BEEN SEARCHING FOR. THE VEHICLES THAT WE WERE LOOKING AT WERE YUKONS XL AND THE TOWN AND COUNTRY. THE KIDS LOVE IT TOO!

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  Woody - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By heycher49 - October 7 - 2:00 am

  Love this car. When I buy my next one will definitely go for the turbo

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  Very very COOOOOOL! ! ! - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By The Gep - October 7 - 2:00 am

  Great looking, as much fun to drive as it looks. We in our mid-fifties know what its all about, and this is way coooool....

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  beautiful - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By lindsay marie - October 5 - 2:00 am

  i love these cars

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  Limited Series 300 - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Ray N - October 3 - 8:16 am

  Just a great Car all around Comfortable Good fuel economy and great ride. Sure attracts attention wherever I go Build quality is first rate. I highly recommend this car to anyone.