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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  Surprised and pleased - 2012 Chrysler 300
  By dasbmr - August 13 - 12:00 am

  I was in need of a full size sedan with decent gas mileage and went out looking. I drove a couple of German options and others. I decided to try the Chrysler 300. I went to the dealer not expecting much, but after test dricing the 300S version, I was hooked and drove him with it that night. Its very quick and it gets an amazing 30 MPG highway. Its very quiet inside and the BEATS audio system is excellent. Finally, an American sedan that can run with the big dawgs from Germany. Nice work Detroit!

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  Limited with 3.6L V6 - 2012 Chrysler 200
  By fproctor - August 9 - 12:30 pm

  We bought this when after first looking at a VW Beetle. New styling of 200 is refreshing. Interior is classy in black. Lots of power with the V6 I expected there to be more torque steer during spirited driving with 283hp going to front wheels but the traction control keeps TS under control quite well. The mileage could be better but we bought anyways fully knowing what to expect. We traded in a 2010 VW Jetta TDI that had turbo lag the VW dealerships could not resolve.

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  Awesome!! - 2012 Chrysler 300
  By eveninggus - August 6 - 10:28 pm

  Just sold my Lexus LS for this car. My cars before that were Infiniti M35, Lexus GS430, BMW 540 sport. This car is better than them all. Harmon Kardon Sound blows away all of the rest. The balance of ride, handling and comfort is superior. The 5.7 liter Hemi has better performance that all of them. Only the 540 comes close, but still not as good. What a value, with a car like this on the market for 45,000 why would anyone spend 40 grand more for a LS460 or BMW 550?

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  worst fuel mileage ever - 2012 Chrysler 200
  By bighosea - August 6 - 11:55 am

  We bought the car for the fuel mileage and we are getting lousy fuel mileage. we took a trip and went 7,ooo miles and we are getting only 21 to 25.!!!!! And they told us it would get 31 to 37 on highway and we are _not getting that at all!!!!!!!! we would sale this car for $17,000 and buy a chevrolet some one that stands behind there cars!!!!!!!!!!!! they would do nothing about the fuel milage bighosea do not buy a chrysler no good 417,000 and buy a chevrolet!!!!!!

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  All I can say is wow!!!! - 2012 Chrysler 300
  By harvismith - July 20 - 11:19 pm

  I was in the market for an Infinity M37. But after reading the negative reviews on the transmission i decided to give our good ol American Chrysler a try, and boy........I was blown away. You really never appreciate a good car till you own one. Ever since i got the car, ive been looking for an excuse to drive to somewhere.... anywhere. To feel the growl of that V8 engine. The interior is classy and spacious. The navigation is the easiest ive seen in a vehicle. Bottom line is that this is one of the best cars for the money out there. Im totally content with my buy. If youre looking for a large sedan, give the 300 a try. You wouldnt regret you did.

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  Repair - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By jean46 - July 9 - 2:43 pm

  I have had to replace the gear box at a cost of 375.00 and the dealer says that this model is well known for the same problem. But no re-call has been offered by Chrysler. The gear will not come out of park once a spring has broken. Come on Chrysler,,,a spring??? for the price you charge for your products one would think you could well afford a better part.

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  Really Impressed - 2012 Chrysler 300
  By alotofcars - July 3 - 9:46 am

  I am 70 and have now bought 106 cars. I just traded a 2011 Subaru WRX for this 300. I have had Lexus, Mecedez-Benz, Cadillac, just about everything. This is the most impressive car I have ever owned. I live in Austin, TX drive to Houston and work all week and go home every weekend. I have averaged 32.5 mpg total for 2000 miles, in and out of town and It will really go if you need it. I swore I would never buy a Chrysler product again 20 years ago. What a car! No wonder their sales are up 200%. Quieter, faster, more comfortable, better mpg than last 2 Lexus.

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  A Benz By Day An Audi At Night - 2012 Chrysler 300
  By 3004me - June 28 - 9:08 am

  First, Id like to disclose three points. 1. This is the first car Ive owned manufactured by one of Americas Big 3. 2. Ive never owned a car that didnt have a clutch, and this was a real hurdle concerning the "fun-to-drive" factor. 3. I loved the interior of my last vehicle, an Audi A6. I was surrounded by real leather and wood, not the disgusting plastic so prevalent in todays cars. My 300 Luxury Series (Pentastar V6 mated with the ZF 8-speed) truly lives up to its name. Both the engine and the interior won Top Ten honors by Wards Auto this year. Its absolutely gorgeous inside and out. The Mochachino leather exceeds my expectations. This is North American luxury at its best!

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  Chrysler 200 - Strong Performer - 2012 Chrysler 200
  By vegeta_hair - June 25 - 9:11 am

  I just picked up my Chrysler 200 limited and I couldnt be more pleased. The deep auburn pearl paint job, 18 inch rims, and chrome accents makes this car look and feel like a high end car. The interior is very impressive. Its loaded with features, but somehow maintains a simple and elegant look (not into cars that look like the cockpit of a fighter plane). Being someone who spends a lot of time in the car, this is much appreciated. I owned a 300M prior (which was a great car) and then went to a Ford. Now that I am back in a Chrysler I will more then likely never go back to another auto company. Great car! Great value!

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  Perfect Car!! - 2001 Chrysler 300M
  By briangriffin1 - June 24 - 6:55 pm

  Just got mine last year and has had no problems a whatsoever and it has 234,765 Miles on it and still looks great and has still got 30MPG city and 34MPG hwy