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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  I still love it 3 yrs later - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Deb - March 26 - 12:26 pm

  My 3 year lease is coming due and I STILL LOVE THIS CAR. Ive been looking at reviews on other sites and this car is getting a bad rap for lack of power. I dont know where you drive, but high speed and power arent the values needed on main roads. Its is comfort and performance and most of all, THIS CAR STILL TURNS THE HEADS OF EVERYONE 3 YEARS LATER! Corvettes and Zs are normal cars, the Crossfire Roadster is still an eye opener. Just a note, it definitely isnt made for people over 6 ft.

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  Surprising Value - 2002 Chrysler Concorde
  By catalinamat - March 25 - 6:08 pm

  I purchased this 2002 Concorde off lease with 17,000 miles on it and now have 118,000 miles on it in under 4 years. The car handles well, gets anywhere from 26 to 30 miles per gallon depending upon where Im driving (lots of rush hour stop & go) and Im very pleased with it. The car has held up well and I recommend it to anyone looking for a comfortable, well designed car.

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  Proud owner - 2000 Chrysler Concorde
  By adam - March 25 - 11:32 am

  This is the most comfortable car I have ever owned. It runs great and shifts smooth. Trunk space is unbelievable, And my passengers are just as comfortable as I am. It looks great too.

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  a car with plenty style - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By charlene - March 25 - 8:02 am

  these cars are attention getters i have owned four new cars and i must say that my Chrysler has gotten the most attention. it is very stylish and i love it

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  Not ready for SUV - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By ttam - March 25 - 7:29 am

  we were looking for a new vehicle. but we were not ready to jump up quite yet to a SUV. (for obvious reasons $$). lets just say Im a bigger dude and the touring was a nice jump up in size from our honda accord sedan. the 17 inch wheels made it a little easier to get in and out. great ride!

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  2007 Signature series, favorite SUV yet! - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By vkeiper - March 24 - 9:12 pm

  Just got the pacifica a few days ago. I was replacing an Eddie Bauer Expedition. I was able to find a Signature series with every option except the power moon roof. I love the location of the Navigation (in the dash cluster). The 19.5" wheels really make a nice add on. It does not lack any power and every gadget you can possibly ask for. We were looking at the Lincoln MKX but wanted a 3rd row seat and I am so glad we chose this vehicle. The ride is much quieter and smoother than the expedition was and not much less room. I was really surprised at the amount of space, I thought it was going to be tight once we got the whole family loaded in with the car seats and all.

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  Fuel Milage - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Blueey7 - March 24 - 10:00 am

  Love the Pacifica. Purchased 9 mo. ago, other than oil changes and tire rotation no problems. Terrific in the ssnow. Very comfortable on long trips. Just completed a 2,865 mi trip thru NY state and the mid-west. 21.9 total MPG average with A/C. Without A/C add 1 MPG. One long leg of trip, Indianapolis, I.N. to Lexington K.Y. on interstate w/o air 25.5 MPG at 70 MPH. If you keep your foot out of the throttle the fuel usage is wxcellent for a 2 ton car. Optional hi-intesity headlights are fantastic!!!

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  My New Toy - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By dworthamsmith - March 24 - 10:00 am

  I love my new Pacifica. When they first came out, I was not happy with the body. But, once I went to the dealer and checked it out, I fell in love with the vehicle.

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  Spend too much time talking about it - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By diverbill - March 24 - 10:00 am

  I have never spent more time talking about a car or exchanging thumbs up signs with pedestrians and other drivers. I love this car. The interior is unbelievably comfortable. The controls work great - I like the manual control over the 2 zone heat/Ac system over the fully automatic control. The sound system is spectacular. I listen to everything from Diana Krall to the Rolling Stones and all sound great. I have never had a car with the controlled ride and pick-up of this car. If you need to change lanes you can do so with no fear. It is a real head turner and drives like a dream

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  300 review - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By sara - March 23 - 1:30 pm

  I love the power of the 300, along with the styling. I am tall, so it is the perfect fit and I immediately felt comfortable driving it.