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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  Reliability? - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Dave - May 15 - 2:13 am

  You dont have to buy a Honda to get relaibility. My PT has not been to the shop for any unscheduled repair, other than brake pads at 40K miles. This car does SO many things well, and it is really a bargain. I wish the economy was a little better, but thats my only complaint. It sis room and comfortable, and has great utility. I was even able to haul a clothes dryer home from sears, in the box with the hatch closed!

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  Fun to drive - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Justin - May 14 - 8:13 pm

  have had it for a month know . first thing first the gas MPG could be better but i am use to as being an suv driver for years, LOVE THE LOOKS INSIDE AND OUT. wish i could have got the trubo but oh well maybe next time:+} got the car with 17k on it i know have 23k so far so good i put about... 35k ayear on my cars so hope its up to it! its a 100% better then fords focus i had it a year and ditched it!! Ilove PT!!!

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  Drop the top baby!!!! - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Long Island - May 9 - 1:40 pm

  We have a 05 PT Touring Edition Turbo convertible (color: Cool Vanilla) and we love it! Yesterday I parking in front of an out door cafe and as I turned to lock the door I saw each of the four tables pointing and discussing the car. How many cars can do that? The fat roll bar, the raised rear and the low front end sets the car apart. It drives great and Im not sure what turbo is, but this is the quickest car Ive ever been in. The mileage around town is as advertised - 19ish (I should slow down). The back seat is comfortable and large enough for two adults (not three). Compare the price of this convertible (new or used) with another sporty convertible and youll save $5- $10K. Buy one!

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  Horrid trunk - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Courtney - May 9 - 6:23 am

  The car is a enjoyable little car but the trunk leaves a lot to be desired. It open up which makes putting thing in or taking them out is almost impossible. One needs to get into the bent over position, and practically have to climb inside to reach anything. Other than that, I enjoy it.

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  CONCORDE - the best family sedan - 2004 Chrysler Concorde
  By David J. - May 7 - 2:00 am

  The body design/style for a family sedan is phenonenal - maintiang a sporting look like no other 4-door sedan on the market. The trunk space has bailed us out on long trips for four person, transporting large items we purchased from Home Deport/Wal- Mart ,etc. The interior comfort, amenities, ride, handling are as good as any of the Mercedes-Benz and BMW owned by my friends/colleagues. EXCELLENT VEHICLE

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  Unreal - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By DANNY - May 6 - 2:53 am

  This car is much better than i thought before buying it. Real sporty and alot of room. A eye getter. Quiet ride. Rides like a big car with great fuel and performance. The price in cheap also. Wouldnt drive anything else.

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  Fun Car - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Wally - May 4 - 9:50 am

  First American car in 15 years. Traded a VW new Beatle that was terrible. Love the PTs versatility. Very comfortable and smooth on the highway. Plenty of power. Slightly heavy steering but feels good at high speeds. A fun car to drive with good human factors. Quality of finish very nice. Had to have steering rack replaced at 8000 miles but will assume that was an anomoly. Dealer handled the repair nicely and the alignment was perfect after repair. Much better quality than my VW. Very good warrantee. All in all I am pleasantly surprised. Time will tell if quality is comparable to Toyota or Honda. However his car makes me smile when I look at it and that goes a long way!

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  Great 300M - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By Gregory Lake - May 4 - 2:00 am

  Original owner. Two minor repairs. Runs and looks great. Loved all of the standard features. Looks much better than new 300.

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  Try the 300 S love it V6 - 2014 Chrysler 300
  By Nathan, T - May 3 - 8:48 am

  I have a Chrysler 300s 2014 it is a great car it handles very well it performs very well I must admit people think that this car is a slow car and it doesnt perform or handle well but let me be one of many who will tell you I have caught many of cars and many of people sleeping and when they wake up Im at least two cars ahead of them and you can see their face what just happened to me lol. that is a fast 300 I love my car.

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  Owning has been an excellent experience. - 1999 Chrysler Concorde
  By Ownedminesince1998 - May 3 - 2:00 am

  A great looking car, handles superbly on long trips. Has the lowest driving-associated fatigue of any Ive owned. Interior and trunk space are incredible. Fully loaded gets ~30 mpg on trips. Has been very reliable so far (75000 miles). Problems- Transmission sensor replaced under warranty, Developed window sticking, solved by cycling up and down weekly to keep them unstuck. This is the only design/engineering flaw that has disappointed me. Getting Michelins as replacement tires has improved road noise. Having driven a lot of rental cars, by comparison, I cannot understand why this car is not rated higher. Plan to keep 10 years.