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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  Safe, solid, comfortable touring wagon - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By McThermal - April 25 - 10:33 pm

  Car had two minor recalls for headlight harness and fuel control module. Waited for parts. Has never stranded us or not started. EGR valve replaced at 49,900 miles. Still have 50% brakes after 50,500 mi. Brakes are one of its finest features. They stop straight and true like a Mercedes. Vehicle is solid as a vault, but heavy which keeps fuel economy and performance from being rated higher. Goes fast on highway with no worries, tracks beautifully. Two rows of heated leather seat are best in the business. It really can seat six, but four are very, very comfortable. AWD kicks in on snow and is barely noticeable. Goes nice and straight. Utility of a minivan with lt more style. Volvo-like safety.

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  Great Car - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By Kurt - April 25 - 2:27 pm

  Very fun car to drive. Lots of power even in the 3.5. Great stereo. I listen at 25/35 and the windows and mirrors are shaking. Fuel economy was a pleasant surprise as Im getting 20- 21 mph and thats mostly in traffic. Because the windows are smaller there are some blind spots and its hard to reach the ATM. Im 62 230 and Im swimming with room. Seats recline almost flat.

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  Looks awesome, in shop often - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By gregory tortorello - April 23 - 1:01 pm

  This is best looking car I`ve ever owned. I was blown away by the stylings of the 300. Unfortunately it has been in the shop over a dozen times with one problem alone clocking 6 visits without the problem being rectified. Needless to say, I`ve given up on this model and probably all Chrysler products as well.

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  2007 Chrysler 300C - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By Fred - April 23 - 11:54 am

  This is the second 300C purchased. It is a great overall vehicle with outstanding performance and receive many compliments

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  What a great car - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Cool Running - April 23 - 6:44 am

  I would never have dreamed that the 300C would be such a universally great car. It fits my lifestyle perfectly and gives me the comfort of a luxury car, the performance of a sports car, the style of a hip full-size cruiser, the safety of a well-built tank and the fuel economy of a car half its size. I love the quiet ride as much as I love the throaty sound of those dual pipes singing that Hemi tune.

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  The C - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By Rev. JB - April 22 - 11:50 pm

  This car is by far the most pwerful one and most fun that I have ever driven. It acellerates so powerfully that it allows me to be able to change lanes safely and efficiently. It is a joy to drive.

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  Year and a half, strong solid car - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By kevin_msu - April 22 - 5:14 am

  Ive had my Pac for about a year and a 1/2 now and I can honestly say I really enjoy it. If you drive low mileage, this may not be the car for you. My mileage was great at 22 mpg when my commute was 20 miles each way, but now that its 4, Im down to 16 mpg. Aside from that, this car drives great. it turns so tight and smooth and its responsive to the wheel and the pedal, with enough juice to get you going if you need to accelerate. More than a few people have told me that my Pac is a joy to drive. The guy that fixed my tire for me was like "I was tempted to just keep driving. Thats a great car".

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  Excellent 1997 Concorde 3.5 litre - 1997 Chrysler Concorde
  By jeff - April 21 - 9:34 pm

  I bought this car with 70k miles. Now has 118k miles. Not one problem! Gas mileage is awesome for a full size vehicle at 29mpg on the freeway. Sure if you are hard on the gas off the line, no vehicle gets good mileage! Drive it right,and it does 23 around town. A lot of power. Excellent low end torque, enough to fry the tires easily at take off. Comfortable and very reliable. I changed the timing belt at 100k and water pump at same time per manufacturer, but they all need that with this motor. Brakes are replaced as necesary, they dont wear any more or less than any other vehicle. It is all in the driver. Will get to 200k miles easy!

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  98 Sebring Coupe - 1998 Chrysler Sebring
  By Katsalumnus - April 21 - 4:20 pm

  Ive had this car for more than nine years. I have only had normal wear and tear maintenance on it. I am a medium frame woman and the cockpit and placing of instrument panel is comfortable and useful.

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  Neat Car! - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By KD Norman - April 21 - 2:20 pm

  I really love my Pacifica. It drives excellent, is extremely comfortable and has a lot of features like steering wheel radio controls, heated seats, DVD player and 6 bucket seats that make it an awesome car to own and drive. I just hope that Chrysler is a reliable make.