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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  Mama Ts new 200C - 2015 Chrysler 200
  By TC - October 4 - 10:50 pm

  This is an excellent car. The backup camera is helpful, electronics awesome, we just love this car. We have had it a month and six days, and no doubt it was the best choice. Beats our Camry hands down on comfort. When on the interstate you cannot even hear any road noise or traffic it is so well insulated. One problem we have, or I should say I have, is that the cooled seat comes on every time you start it. Mama likes it because it has leather seats, we live in Florida, and she wears shorts, but it freezes me. Added value of Sirrus XM, and 911 assist for free for a year is nice. As mentioned above we have only had it for a little over a month and it has 670 miles on it, so not sure of maintenance problems. Mama drives it around town and we have been on the interstate a few times and the gas milage is great, filled it up twice in 670 miles and it is on 3/4 of a tank now.

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  See America from a convertable. - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Kelly - September 27 - 4:28 am

  I purchased this car when it was 3 years old with 30K miles. Ive had it now 11 years and put 50K more miles on it. Extremely low maintenance. I would not be sceptical to head out on a nice long vacation in it, as is. Very enjoyable to own.

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  Best Car I Ever Owned - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By Danny Hancock - September 26 - 2:15 am

  I love love love it!!! Great performance and comfort.

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  Upgraded from a 09 300m to 08 300 limited - 2008 Chrysler 300
  By Austingoodwin1234@gmail.com - September 22 - 12:32 am

  I loved this car from the moment I bought it. Sadly I was hit by someone doing 45 at a complete stop. An my car held up like a tank compared to theres! Its also extremely comfortable an big inside for the cost. Highway mileage is 26-28 city it 17-22. Could be better but I knew what I was getting myself into. For the trim an leather seats an all the features an the low mileage an price I paid. Well worth the cost!! Had it over 8 months an not one problem. Had one recall on it an had dealership fix it free. Great car thats safe an very customizable. Ive put the newer bmw/Audi angel eyes CCFL lights with bi xenon an I get nothing but compliments!

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  Bad Boy Blue - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By Thomas Miller - September 11 - 8:54 pm

  This is a very reliable car. Just do the maintenance required, and this thing will start and run every time. This is one of the most dependable cars I have ever owned. And I have found that it is a great platform for upgrading. Ive added a few items to it, and I get lots of compliments. If you get one of these things, youll be very happy. Zoom zoom.

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  Best body on frame SUV for the money - 2009 Chrysler Aspen
  By Shandor Weiss - September 11 - 3:53 am

  I absolutely love my 09 Aspen with the 5.7L gas hemi engine. AWD, J package, 20" wheels. Its beautiful to look at, to sit in and to drive. Bought it used with 72K miles. This is a real SUV although it looks like a luxury car. I live in the mountains of Oregon down a long winding gravel road, and have to go over a 4300 foot pass on I-5. It handles like a dream, especially after getting new and better shocks and tires. The hemi has awesome power, even carrying a heavy load and going up a 6% grade it can accelerate like a sports car to pass trucks. Smooth, comfortable handling. The firm heated seats are great on my injured back, as is the remotely operated rear lift gate. Ive had many other SUVs, from Subarus to the old Jeep Grand Wagoneer to a 99 Durango with the 5.7L hemi. The Aspen is far better than all of them. I need to tow a horse trailer and it has more towing capacity than bigger SUVs that cost a lot more. It is almost perfect, I just wish they still made them.

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  Love this 200 Limited! - 2015 Chrysler 200
  By Steven Wikoff - September 6 - 7:16 pm

  I have only just started driving this car as I just bought it this week, but I am in love with this car! It has everything I want and need At a very reasonable price point. I have owned many cars over the past 25 years, and they all have had their good points, but this 200 has it all in spades! There really isnt much to get excited about in the midsize sedan market, but the 200 maybe the game changer. I have been a loyal Nissan customer for 20 years. Overall I have found their vehicles to be reliable, attractive and a very good price-to-performance value. Most recently I owned a 2013 Nissan Murano and liked the car, but the mileage was terrible. I went for the bigger smoother V6 with AWD, but the gas was killing me and really much more room than I needed as primarily I used it as a commuter. So, after my car was totaled in a freak accident (nobody hurt but the car), I unexpectedly came on to the new car market. I knew I needed to downsize a bit, but I did not want a compact car, as they are just too small for my 6 foot frame. I am a little spoiled and want and expect all the bells and whistles, yet I had to have good gas mileage as I have a long commute everyday. I rented a 2015 Nissan Altima, and was fairly satisfied with it, not excited, but it felt solid, so I was going to go ahead and get it. Then I heard about the Chrysler 200. We had one of the first 300s on the market in 2005 and loved-it, but had to sell it for a mini-van for the kids. So having had a very good experience with Chrysler in the past, I decided to check out the new 200 before I bought the Altima. Am I glad I waited! The 200 blew away the Altima in every way! The body style was modern, Euro-classy, yet sporty. The interior appointments made the Nissan look cheap and even bad in comparison. When I compared the 200 Limited to the Altima S, it was a no- brainier. I would have to go up to the SV In an Altima and pay fairly more to get the same in the 200 Limited for much less cash. The only area I believe the Altima was better was the 4-cylinder engine was a bit more peppy, but not by much, and the engine noise was noticeably worse in the Nissan. The Chrysler is so much more refined and the interior fits like a glove. Chrysler was also offering fantastic incentives that made the purchase extremely attractive financially. Mileage is great, the center console system is attractive and very easy to use. It maybe the perfect commuter car ever! If you are thinking about an Altima, Accord, or Camry, do check this car out first as you may find, like I did, that it really cant be beat, and even is exciting!

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  GREAT CAR - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By B.G. - September 3 - 6:51 pm

  I have this car since 2007 & it is one of the best cars i have had in the last 30 years !!!!!!!!!

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  Love my 200C - 2015 Chrysler 200
  By Hugo - September 2 - 9:15 pm

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  A Beautiful reliable car - 2001 Chrysler 300M
  By Lavon Palmer - August 30 - 9:49 pm

  I bought my car new in 2001 had it until 2012 put a hundred eighty thousand miles on it replace the engine twice because I loved it so much... I was in three car accidents and I never got hurt! Trusted it so much I gave it to my child.