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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  Very Happy With Purchase - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By mrktwatchr - March 31 - 6:47 am

  Have had this vehicle for 9 months and we love it. Very comfortable and a dream to drive. its very stable on the road. Solid

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  Excellent Car - 1997 Chrysler Cirrus
  By Bill - March 30 - 8:09 pm

  205,000 miles and still going strong. The V6 motor has been great. The only above average maintenance item has been brakes.

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  GO GRANNY ~ GO~ - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By kblair - March 29 - 10:00 am

  I am pleased with this vehicle EXCEPT the gas mileage SUCKS and think that definitely needs to be much better for as small a car as it is. LOVE the hatchback, LOVE the color, LOVE driving it at night as I have poor vision and this car is WONDERFUL! It is overall a great car for an older person as I LOVE the hatchback for groceries, its easy to park. EVERYBODY loves the interior and the head room that rides in it and are so surprised at all the room INSIDE the Cruiser. Just drive one ~ that made the difference for me.

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  very pleased with our pacifica - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By indeterminacy - March 29 - 10:00 am

  we are very pleased with our pacifica, the interior is gorgeous, our friends and family cant belive the price.A lot of fun to drive.

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  This is a Chrysler? - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By ipdhome - March 29 - 10:00 am

  I bought the car with 10 miles on the odometer from a dealership in Indiana. Drove the car 550 miles back home to St. Paul, Mn. Averaqged 25 miles to the gallon during this trip. Impressive performance for a car not even broken in yet.

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  Love my new 300 - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By crewssr - March 29 - 10:00 am

  Have only had the 300 for about 3 weeks and just like all the other reviews people cannot take their eyes off of it when I drive by, must say feels good to get all the attention. This is car absolutely great.

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  great car - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Ed Heinem - March 29 - 10:00 am

  I have traveled over 4000 miles in first 3 weeks,great performance--- mileage on highway better than expected

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  A Great Car for the $$$ - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By JMLASKER - March 28 - 12:04 pm

  This vehicle is a replacement for my 2004 Crossfire Coupe, which was a fine car but underpowered. That is not a problem with the SRT-6 with silky- smooth 330 BHP supercharged V6 - Daimler/Chrysler should have kept the AMG nameplate on the engine. The car is really quick and, because of the suspension and braking upgrades, handles much better than the conventional Crossfire. I was worried about the "rough ride" described by numerous reviewers, but have not found that to be the case. Overall, a great car for the price ($29k - brand new).

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  turbo convertible - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Elizabeth - March 27 - 12:06 am

  Only had my cruiser for one month and cant wait to use the convertible more often...Ive had so many compliments on the look of the car. It is very comfortable and spacious riding in the front, but the TRUNK is much too small! The trunk hatch-door should go straight upward more so you dont have to lean over to put stuff in it. Turbo is better than my non-turbo previously owned. You should have YELLOW for color choice.

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  Best Chrysler I ever owned. - 2003 Chrysler 300M
  By "Big Daddy" - March 26 - 2:34 pm

  Ive had only two minor "glitches" in approx 4 and one half years of ownership. They were both associated with the transmission...A trans light on the dash which was reset by Mobil station Mechanic in July 2006 with no problem detected and a software update installed by Chrysler dealer in March 2007 which corrected a slight "hitch"in the transmission when it shifted from 3rd to 4th gear.The only other"problem" is with the "air dam" which is very low in front and has a tendency to ride onto the concrete car stops in every parking lot if Im not careful.It is a little annoying to say the the least.Otherwise, its change oil and filters,gas-up and go (22 mpg). I also own a 93 Jeep Wrangler.