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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  WOW - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By XGuy - April 21 - 10:00 am

  What a head turner car! Great style!

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  Great car, great deal - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By GT-Driver - April 21 - 10:00 am

  I looked around for a unique looking vehicle with solid performance. I almost bought an Audi A4, but then the turbo version of the PT arrived. One minute into the drive and I was hooked! It has great performance, exceptional styling, decent mileage, great sound, versatile interior, nice cloth seats, crowd-pleasing Autostick, and snow-beating traction control. For around $20k, it was perfect for me.

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  A fun loving beauty! - 2006 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Cincinnati Slim - April 20 - 9:38 pm

  This is such a cool little car! Beautiful, impractical, cramped and hard to see out and Im just crazy about it. Like a super hot girlfriend, you overlook her bad habits because youre having so much fun! Some car reviewers have said the cars chassis and brakes are so good that It could use more power. Im sure not complaining. I think its a blast to drive yet, unlike most performance cars Ive had, it is very forgiving. The ESP/Traction Control/ABS systems work very well especially in bad weather. It really makes you feel like a hero.

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  Great Buy! Is this really a Chrysler???? - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Great Buy! - April 20 - 6:51 pm

  I was very reluctant to buy another American vehicle after two Fords. However, I ventured into getting the Pacifica after reading some reviews. I will never regret it. This car is absolutely luxury, how it rides, feels, and looks. No difference to a Mercedez or BMW. I had it for 6 months, and I am still in a honeymoon with it. Pure driving solid pleasure.

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  Base PT Cruiser... a dissapointment - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By ckrivin - April 20 - 8:33 am

  Im happy with the build quality, room and reliability. But the car is not very good for highway cruising; it is noisy, vibrates at speed and doesnt have much passing power. Also the gas mileage ... it gets just what the window sticker says, but not the greatest for a smallish car.

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  Great vehicle - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Monique - April 19 - 7:53 am

  I love driving this car. I love the fact that every feature in this car helps you feel at comfort. The 10 point seat adjuster, power mirrors, radio stations, and pedals can be set, so that if there are more drivers your personal settings are not lost. I love the fact that the Pacifica has a unique look. It does not look like a van but has a lot of room inside. The Pacificas 6 cyl 240 horse power gives you a great pick up when needed, and the AWD helps all season with rain and snow. I also love the extra room for the kids and other family members when you needed. I feel safe driving the pasifica,with side airbags. I feel that this vehicle is the ultimate safety/traveling SUV this year.

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  PT Cruiser a Multi-Mission car! - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Bob Campbell - April 18 - 1:50 am

  My Electric Blue PT is just a terrific car value. At just under $15,000 this "BASE" auto has Air Conditioning, Power Windows..Power Brakes, A CD player with 6 speakers, a spoiler, deep tinted windows and alloy wheels. I really wanted a 5 speed manual for the fuel economy and the dealer was happy to sell it because most people today want the automatic transmission. (I think this car had been sitting for quite a while just because it was a "standard" transmission) Even with the 5 speed..fuel economy is not too good. Some owners I hear average less than 20mpg with the automatic. The fit & finish on these Mexican made cars are just outstanding! The interior is full of top grade materials too!

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  Why drive anything else - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By KimPgh - April 17 - 9:31 pm

  This is my 2nd Pacifica. First one had many upgrades. I got the Limited AWD this time. Only thing missing is the kitchen sink. Chrysler improved the engine with the 4.0. It has great pickup vs 2004, has better gas mileage too. Passenger windows are same grade as the windshield keeps outside noise to a min. Love the DVD w/wireless headphones(no tangling). People in front can listen to their favorites on beautiful stereo system, with subwoofers. Nicer design on the outside. The Pacifica says move over. 4700 lbs of safety for my family. Suede and leather heated seats are a must. You can adjust everything to your liking. Looking forward to this car on long trips. This is the meaning of true luxury

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  2005 Crossfire Review (Ltd. Roadster) - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By thtouch - April 17 - 9:03 am

  This is a truly awesome machine.It drives and feels like a true Sports Car. I get lots of looks and it is truly amazing how the car feels to drive, even With (Auto-Stick).

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  My 4th Pacifica - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Wendy - April 16 - 11:05 pm

  My first Pacifica was bought back by Chrysler after 3 mo. The next one had minor problems and traded it in after 1 yr. 3rd one, Touring was great. Lease was almost up and with Chrysler push forward program, I got into a new one earlier. I went for the Limited with everything. I especially love the 4.0 engine. What a ride. The 07 is by far the best one yet.