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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  Chrysler steps up - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By justsaynotominivans - June 4 - 10:00 am

  After a heavy look and test drive of the Volvo X90, my wife and I were almost upset at ourselves because we loved the Pacifica so much. Chrysler we thought? Hey thats what our grandparents would buy. Boy were we surprised. I felt german influence as soon as I stepped in it. Once we test drove them both, it was hands down Pacifica. More for the $$ we thought. We got it loaded, and our two little ones in the back are living (sitting) like kings. Love the RCA inputs- My 15gig Ipod Rocks on the stereo! Wife loves the auto liftgate and sunroof.

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  New Pacifica is Terrific - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Dejazra - June 4 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle has been all that I expected. It performed wheel on a summer trip from Birmingham to Myrtle Beach. Quiet and smooth.

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  PT Cruiser - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By bdtrib - June 4 - 10:00 am

  Excellent automobile. Extremely versatile. Fit and finish has been A+ from day one. Car still gets alot of attention.

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  Wow, what a pleasant surprise! - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By garbo@foxvalley.net - June 4 - 10:00 am

  This is our first Chrysler since 1992 and what a difference a decade makes! This car is one incredible value. We paid just about $27,500 after rebate for a decked-out Limited. This easily beats our Mustang convertible by miles. It has a much nicer interior and is free from the shake and rattles seen in our Mustang. The gas mileage has been excellent and the trunk space is superb for a convertible. Its great being able to haul around 4 decent size people too. The Mustang back seat and truck are not in the same league. This car is relatively cheap to insure too!

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  cute, but 90% wrong - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By mrsestanley - June 3 - 2:20 pm

  i find this car to look great, but inside, i have a horrible time getting used to it. my husband is 65" and 300 lbs and he can drive it with no problem. however, the window levers are placed in the middle of the dash and that is an awkward place, the cup holders sit in awkward positions and arent suitable for most drink or cups, the steering wheel doesnt adjust much, the seat are so hard and the front sits so low that its already cracked from speed bumps. i like it, but would definitely shop more for something less awkward. oh, acceleration and gas mileage are awful. it costs $45 to fill up with todays gas prices and it rags during acceleration and is LOUD!

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  Best car experience weve ever had - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Hemi Beauty - June 3 - 6:29 am

  We researched this vehicle extensively before buying and it has lived up to our expectations. It is very comfortable to drive long distances which we do and for highway driving gas consumption is reasonable. The power of the Hemi engine is fabulous for passing or to get away from tail-gaters. The Boston Acoustic sound system makes plain sitting in the car to listen to music a new use for the family car. Operational reliability has been excellent with no mechanical problems. Original tire wear has been excessive but tires have been replaced with higher wear rating ones. The car looks great and we still enjoy owning and using it after nearly three years.

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  Awesome Ride! - 2003 Chrysler Concorde
  By STB - June 1 - 10:44 am

  This car has been driven from Indiana to Niagra Falls and to Tennessee and back two times. This car is a joy to drive. In fact, it drives so easily, you can drive it with one finger on the wheel. The trunk space on this car is unbelievable. The 3.5 liter V-6 in this car has the feel of a V-8 when you stand on the gas to get up to freeway speeds. I am going drive this car until it dies.

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  Love the car - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Ronald R. Rode - May 31 - 6:40 pm

  I have really liked the auto. I have two 2006 300C. Traded because I liked the color Red, also on this auto I got everthing in the book on it. Very pleased!

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  Best Kept Secret - 2007 Chrysler Aspen
  By Data Diva - May 31 - 2:54 pm

  I bought this SUV after falling in love with one that my sister has. It is worth a test-drive so that you can erase the stereotypes about Chrysler/Dodge. Both the exterior and interior are superb, and it seems as if they have practical engineers on the job who designed the car for everyday cost-consciuos people who want an SUV to envy! The features in the Aspen make it worth way more than its cost. The features rival those of pricier car-makers but with a no-frills price. As a VP in marketing, I believe the Aspen was created to boost Chryslers SUV appeal, so they put all these top features as a repositioning campaign and more folks need to discover the secret.

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  Real Lemon - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By jim - May 31 - 9:32 am

  Great looking car, fun to drive when its not in the shop. Motor blew up with about eight thousand miles. It took an entire month to have the motor replaced. When we got the car back the new motor was missing an oil plug and had to go back to the shop again. The window motors have broken, a brake seal failed and leaked brake fluid all over the garage. Glad we werent driving when that happened.