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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  No Regrets - 1999 Chrysler Concorde
  By WELL PLEASED - June 18 - 7:12 pm

  I purchased this car 3.2 L engine with 15,000 miles on the odometer. I now have 93,000 miles on the odometer and just had my first major problem. The AC is not cooling and the vehicle is running hot. My Repair bill will be $1,200, but I think it is well worth it since I have not had any problems in the past. I plan on keeping it another 10 years

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  Just great! - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Hector_Lara - June 18 - 4:10 pm

  Excellent car, great performance, it looks really great and good reliability. Everybody think that it is more expensive tan really is. More eye-catching than most of the cars. I have had Eclipse and TT and surprisingly the crossfire looks better and i have more fun than the rest. I have 2 Crossfire limited, Coupe and Roadster.

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  Fun and Reliable - 1998 Chrysler Sebring
  By oldschooldevil - June 7 - 9:42 pm

  I bought this car as a second car and I ended up falling in love with this car. It looks, drives, and feels very modern for a 12 year old car. There are some things that are starting to fail (radio, door locks what do you expect with a 12 year old car?) Other than that the engine runs great and the car over all is very solid and reliable. When this car finally gives out Im considering buying a new Sebring cause this one is so solid. But for now I will continue to take care of this car and Im sure that it will continue to be the best car I have ever had!

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  Love my Convertable - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By Wayne Kopp - June 4 - 8:00 pm

  This is my first Chrysler product and I love it. Before I bought my convertible, I read the reviews and they were bad. I loved the styling and ride and room and was sold. The ride is smooth, the trunk is roomy and the back and front seats are very comfortable. Im impressed with the gas mileage and just plain love driving it. Now that I have read the reviews of the owners, they agree with me. What do these professionals look at, I dont know?

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  Great Sport Sedan - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By tmike3 - June 4 - 2:18 pm

  Purchased with 56k miles. First car purchased in 22 years. Previously had SUVs and a pickup. This car is fantastic! Commute 60 miles per day and have had zero problems. The AWD is great! Had more snow than usual this winter and it handled great. The HEMI has more than enough power for this heavy car. Mileage is not bad on the highway. (20-22 mpg) Tons of room inside and in the truck.

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  Car is great to drive - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Tom - June 4 - 12:05 pm

  Bought 300C with 32,000 miles. Silver with updated grill and some chrome. Looks great, handles well. Suspension allows rapid cruising, does extremely well on windy roads for a car this size. Power is always there when you need it, tranny shifts smooth, geared ok for when you jump on it.Boston stereo ok but I will upgrade rear speakers soon. I like the large sunroof, lets in alot of air and light. I have always owned big cars with V8s and this one has not let me down, overall its a great package for the price.

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  A more than decent car - 1998 Chrysler Concorde
  By nursecrd - June 1 - 12:29 pm

  We bought this car to replace my wifes 1989 Eagle Premier. The Concorde chassis is based on the Eagle. Car is a very comfortable and eats freeway miles without a problem. Engine power is more than adequate and drive train noise is minimal although coarse road surface noise is transmitted to the interior. Handling with good performance tires (HR or VR) is very good. Stock rubber, Goodyears were beyond terrible. Mechanically the car has been sound. Had one software failure, had the brakes redone, and the oil pan gasket replaced. The 2.7 L V-6 is a good yet sophisticated engine and you should use a good synthetic oil in this engine to prevent any issues.

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  Great Car Overall - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Dale - May 30 - 6:33 am

  I love the comfort and handling of this car. It does have the 2.7 V-6, which I am familiar with the oil sludge issue, but will take care to prevent clogging with regular oil changes and motor flushes. This car is quick upon acceleration, quiet, offers a soft, stable ride, as well as good gas mileage. Im averaging around 28 miles per gallon in my Sebring.

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  Chrysler is hit and miss, 300m is a hit! - 2003 Chrysler 300M
  By mrnest - May 29 - 1:31 pm

  Purchased new in 03. Car has a bit over 100k on it now and has never had a single problem. Up to spec with most new cars in terms of power, handling, looks, overall enjoyability. Interior should be an upgrade from standard Chrysler fare for the 300m but is okay with the carbon fiber trim though. Car has plenty of power, interior room, great handling, and is stone cold reliable. The 18" wheels definitely make the car noisier, though. Also, the "special" is lower in the front so watch out for those high curbs! If you hit one it can bring the bumper out of alignment. Drawbacks of having a performance car. Absolutely love this car, they should have kept this one and made the newer 300 separate

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  Great ride! - 2010 Chrysler 300
  By ontario - May 27 - 4:52 am

  I actually have a 2010 300 Limited AWD 3.5L V6, the Canadian version. The MyGIG with no NAV allows up to 28 gigs of music (software, etc. takes up the remaining space). It is a great feature, easy to add music via USB and there is an aux jack as well. The vehicles ride is great, an excellent cruiser with a superb comfort level. The vehicle is well built out of Brampton, Ontario. The dealership was pleasant to do business with, and had the vehicle delivered in a timely manner (built to order). The vehicle is very spacious (Im 61" and fit comfortably), and the AWD works wonders for harsh Canadian winters. Dual front auto climate control is a nice feature as well.