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 love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By love my car - October 2 - 9:26 am

  I Love my 300. When they first hit the street I knew I would have one. I get looks everywhere I go and so many compliments. I love the color also, the leg room is awesome-for the kids in the back as well as the front. This car is AWESOME and I think Chrysler did a GREAT job. For the price, quality and style, this is # 1.

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  Love it !!! - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By Hootey - October 2 - 2:00 am

  Love my 1999 JXI. Had problems in 2 weeks after purchase when steering went up, fixed in 2 days and no mechanical problem since. Stitching on top broke and was repaired under warrenty(after much fighting to get done). Would buy another in a heartbeat.

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  Fast analysis - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By Rkreiss - October 2 - 2:00 am

  Easy handling, gorgeous lines, fun to drive, plenty of toys, I feel this vehicle is the best looking on the road,other than a $200,000.00 sports car

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  WHITE CROSSFIRE - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By TRJACKSON - October 1 - 2:00 am

  I FEEL THIS VEHICLE IS THE MOST VALUED PRICED SPORTS CAR ON THE MARKET. WE COMPAERED IT TO MANY OTHER CONVERTIBLES AND COUPES. THIS CAR HAS ALL THE FEATURES OF THE HIGHER PRICED JAGS, CADILLACS,MERCEDES AND SUCH.BUT WITH A MUCH MORE REASONABLE COST AND THE OUTSTANDING QUALITY OF MEREDES ENGINEERING. WE LOVE IT.

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  Proud to own American - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By R Pickard - October 1 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I are very satisfied with the Pacifica. We have owned, Hondas, Toyotas, Mazdas, Nissans, as well as other American made cars. It is the best vehicle that we have owned. It is very solid (like a Volvo) and handles well. The styling is very popular with our friends.

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  I love the Chrysler Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By eveluvsdolphins - October 1 - 2:00 am

  I love our Pacifica, it is safe in the winter(AWD), and gas mileage is better than an SUV. I absolutely love the fact that I dont have to crawl "down" into it, or jump up. It is soooo much more spacious in the back seat than our Jeep was, adults sit very comfortably in the back. Cargo space is excellent if you do not have to use the third row. I can take my kids friends with us. It is such a wonderful car, I cant imagine ever owning anything else again!!!

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  Great Crossover Vehicle - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By silverfoxnv - October 1 - 2:00 am

  I have enjoyed all of the features of this new mult-purpose vehicle. It is not a total SUV, station wagon or sedan - it is all three rolled into one. It has great saftey features, especially the side curtain air bags for all passengers. The reliability has been excellent, just like my 300M which I traded for the Pacifica.

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  excellent - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By lentini - October 1 - 2:00 am

  excellent

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  the best on the road - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By AMYbiang - October 1 - 2:00 am

  Anyone looking for an SUV stop! This is better, it is a touch smaller than those large SUVs that are hard to park, yet big enough for a family of 6. My husband hates minivans so this is the perfect option. It turns heads and is so fun to drive. The interior looks expensive but isnt. Hands down it is a better deal than anything else out there.

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  My Pacifica is as fun as my 1956 T-Bird - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Marc Schulman - October 1 - 2:00 am

  One of the most beautiful and fun-to- drive vehicles of all time is the 1956 T-Bird. I sold mine in 1987, and I have never enjoyed a car since then, until I purchased a 2004 Pacifica. I thought I would never again experience the fun I used to when I drove around the California coast in my T-Bird, but that fun is back! After reaching the age of 40, I didnt believe much of my daily routine would be fun again, but it is. My wife now prefers driving my Pacifica over her 2003 Town and Country. Daimler Chrysler hit a home run with this one. I recommend taking a test drive in the Pacifica - but plan to buy if you do!