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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  P & Js Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Pete-solo - June 1 - 2:00 am

  I am 50 yrs old and 63" tall and found this vehicle very comfortable to drive. I have the AWD with most of the bells & whistles (MSRP $38,500).I also get a lot of looks while driving, Im hoping because of the good looks of the car.When fueling the car I also get comments on how nice it is. When driving you can feel how heavy the car is, its a GOOD feeling of security but it lacks a bit in power.If it had a V8 it would be that much better. Overall, we (my wife & I)really like the car.

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  Just Test Drive It ! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By bob schulte - June 1 - 2:00 am

  Ive drove all the brands, Toyota, Cadillac, Ford, Honda, et al. This vehicle has it all. The interior is exquisite and the desing perfectly refined. The first time I reached over to the passenger side door I could believe how wide this vehicle is. This is truly a leap forward for Chrysler. Quality, styling and road handling are superior to its competitors. The purchase value is awesome.

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  Fun to drive! - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By shanin - June 1 - 2:00 am

  I do not have one bad thing to say about this vehicle.

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  W o n d e r f u l ........ - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By lfcaustin - June 1 - 2:00 am

  I waited for the 2004 to get the TURBO (it has a great pick up)and the leather and suede interior w/ the chrome package and I love it and always have people stopping me to tell me how great my car looks!!!!

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  Great Car - 1997 Chrysler Sebring
  By Larryran - May 27 - 2:00 am

  The Sebring Convertible is an exceptional car. I purchased mine in Sept 1997, and still own it. Tire life of the original Michelin tires was 75000 miles, and it has never needed an alignment. The replacement Michelins now have 50000 miles on them, and appear good for at least another 20000. The 2.5L V6 SOHC 24V FI engine gas milage ranges from 21 (city) to 31 mpg. Average road mpg is 28. Total maintenance cost has been from normal maintenance (oil, filter, 60000 mile transmission service, 100000 mile tuneup, and 3 sets of brake pads).

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  What we expected - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Tom - May 26 - 5:23 pm

  The Pacifica, except learning to deal with some blind spots has performed at or beyond our expectations. Too new to have any problems, lets hope it stays that way, the car looks great, fits our family comfortablby and the extras, dvd player, etc. are welcome additions. We drove firends Pacificas and our has made us very happy with our choice.

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  300M - 2001 Chrysler 300M
  By Dennis W. - May 26 - 2:00 am

  I have just traded in my 1998 Chrysler Concorde LXI for the 2001 300m. I am very much impressed with the entire package. It had 16500 miles on it and feels like a new car. I think the interior features far exceed the Concorde and I loved my Concorde. The best feature so far has been the impressive gas milage for commuting to and from work. I am logging 20 MPG on back roads with many hills.

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  I Love This Vehicle - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Mc_Lani - May 25 - 11:43 pm

  After about a year of car shopping, the Pacifica caught our eye. The reviews were "so-so" and I hadnt really seen any around. After a test drive and more shopping around, we agreed this was the choice for us. Its as dreamy owning one as Id hoped. At first, there were blindspots in the rear corners, but now Im accustomed to using my side mirrors and being more cautious (which is a good thing anyway, right?). Wish the gas mileage were better - wish ALL vehicle gas mileage were better! If you have a large family, this isnt your car (the second row seats fold up and you really dont want to climb over). We have a family of 4 and it fits like a glove. We cant wait to take a roadtrip!!

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  Hot...and a Great Value, too!! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Dano - May 25 - 7:50 pm

  Gr8 looks, fun to drive, great ride, nice solid feel, flat on the corners (what a change from my SUV!!), powerrrrrful, classy, & feel safe. Nice to see MB features incorporated (Ive had 3 MBs b4). Mine is fully loaded w/ALL opts. Mileage a bit sucky (15) so far, hoping it will improve. No disappointments but think many small things overlooked. 1/2 pwr pass seat is tacky, NAV shld not require CD/Radio be playing to function (have to mute), my arm slips off windowsill as its too narrow, even tho my seat is all the way down I still have to lean over to rest arm on armrest (Im 6). Headrest is annoyingly too far forward, cant adj. Auto seat-move-to-rear stops func if u touch mem recall.

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  What a fun car! - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Jennifer - May 25 - 6:20 am

  I have had a great time driving this car. I would buy another one.