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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  pure fun to drive - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By wayne carrington - May 22 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I were getting ready to buy a toyota sequoia, we were at a car rental store saw the pacifica and decided to buy one the next day after a lot attendent showed us the pacifica from top to bottom. its right up there with the big boys.

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  Excellence without the high price - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By AFbowl300 - May 22 - 2:00 am

  This car has been highly reliable and has excellent value without the high price. I enjoy driving it. It has fun colors to choose from and comes with standard features that one would need who doesnt drive far.

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  weekend car of the century! - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Joel - May 21 - 3:00 pm

  I have had this vehicle since October of 2004. It is quick, responsive and reliable. A solid feel throughout the cabin-true Mercedes-Benz quality. Also, everyone wants to know what kind of car it is--For a day running errands, an average of four people comment on it somehow. But dont worry, theyre always good comments, of course.

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  Fun Daily Driver - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By snowdogg - May 21 - 2:15 pm

  The Sebring GTC is my second convertible, much different from my 95 Cutlass Supreme. I plan on using this car for commuting on a year round basis (in Vermont). It remains to be seen how it will fare in winter, but with FWD and good snow tires I think it will be OK. Gas mileage is good at 28-30 mpg on regular, the top is truly weatherproof and interior quiet with top up.

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  PT Crusier-Solid Value and Fun - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By David A. Lowe - May 21 - 10:00 am

  The PT Crusier is a well built, solid, and dependable car. Although the styling is the most hyped feature of the car, the best thing the crusier has going for it is that it is a solid, well built and dependable car. A real winner and a real bargain in todays market.

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  After 3 years, still love it - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By John - May 20 - 11:36 am

  Weve had our Pacifica for just under 3 years (40,000 miles) and it has proven to be a great car. The ride is very comfortable, I could drive all day in this thing. The fold down seats allow for great cargo space and the 2nd row seats are very comfortable. 3rd row is a little cozy. Weve had no problems mechanically thus far (knock on wood). The dual climate controls are great. My wife says she feels very safe in this big car. Wish wed gotten the heated front seats for Minnesota winters. The AWD is great in snow. The only knock we have is the poor gas mileage. I wouldnt hesitate to recommed the Pacifica.

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  Chrysler 300C 5.7 Hemi MDS - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Jim - May 19 - 9:44 am

  Fun to drive on a long trip. Great power with good gas mileage. Very good handling. No problems with vehicle after 34,000 miles.

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  Just right for me and my family - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Cindy - May 17 - 11:37 am

  We purchased this Crossfire for the sheer love of the design. The classic yellow is a serious head turner. We truly appreciate the bold body style and hope the other manufacturers follow this designers love for beauty. It is incredibly fun to drive and is fast enough for us and anyone else on the road. Yes the trunk has plenty of room for a family of four grocery shopping trip or 2 medium size suitcases if you plan taking a trip to the hotel on the beach.

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  Great Family Car - 2003 Chrysler Concorde
  By Scott George - May 16 - 9:40 pm

  My Concorde is the best driving car Ive ever owed. The only problems are its to low to the ground for large folks like me. It is missing hand holders on the front passenger side which are needed. The body style is boring. The car rides great and it loves highway speeds. The car feels very safe which is good going at highway speeds.

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  Love the C - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Ed - May 16 - 7:35 am

  The 300C is big, very comfortable, fast, and the styling is like nothing else seen on the highways. Both the wife and I feel very safe driving this car. The metal part of the door is high, giving one a sense of being "in not on" the car. The 5.7 liter V8 is powerful, quiet, and a Hemi. The multi-displacement system that shuts off 4 cylinders and switches to 8 when more power is needed works imperceptibly. Highway mileage is good for such a big car. We get 23-25 MPG on highway. However, only about 15 mpg in town, but I am not one to keep from enjoying the acceleration that the Hemi affords. One trip to the dealer was needed due a leaking transmission sensor.