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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  Best car I ever owned - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By Mark Manfredi - May 3 - 2:00 am

  Fast, Comfortable, fuel efficiant, never a problem, good looks, great ride, huge trunk, whats not to like?

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  Pacified - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By jimmyc - May 2 - 10:00 am

  Coming out of a CLK320 was tough but no choice with child car seat to deal with. Love the look and the color Butane Blue. Captains chairs in second row was not a real plus but certainly add to look and comfort for adults who have to ride there. Access to 3rd row is not convenient but workable. Not much storage space if youve got the third row being used for passengers. Drives great and felt very secure in bad weather driving. Handled great in pouring rain on highway. Its one heavy vehicle. I do agree with some other comments about blindspots and tough to see out of back but too soon for me to say definitively.

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  So Far So Good! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By TedLin FLA - May 2 - 10:00 am

  So far it has been a joy to drive and I noticed two minor cosmetic defects in the workmanship that teh dealer will resolve.

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  Move Over! - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By I Love My Crossfire1 - May 2 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my Crossfire for two weeks and its the most fun car Ive ever had... Easy to drive, easy to maneuver through traffic. I havent had it in 6th yet. Ill have to hit the Interstate later today. Youll have to learn to navigate via mirrors since the back window is small. If youre shy, youll make all kinds of new friends. People stop me everywhere to ask me about it.

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  Chrysler 300C Hemi - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Laurie - May 1 - 7:00 pm

  I love this car! It is full power when I need it and has everything a Mercedes has for half the price. I very good value.

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  Amazing...totally amazing! - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Bruce Anthony - April 30 - 2:00 am

  I am blown away by my new car. I cant find anything wrong with it. I could drive it all day long. People stop in parking lots to ask about it. They say that it is the most beautiful car they have ever seen...and I agree. Mercedes has performed an amazing feat. A magnificent car at a very affordable price.

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  Fun Convert - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Bill - April 28 - 4:00 am

  This is one great performance car, that turns heads where ever it goes. Being Plum in color with optional chome wheels sent it apart from all others, while still getting 28 MPG and better on high test.

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  Absolutely Amazing - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By MOQ - April 28 - 2:00 am

  Amazing is the only word that can truly describe this car. From the moment I took my crossfire off the lot, I could tell how much attention it demands. This car truly demands respect on the road. It seems that every time I go somewhere, people always have questions about the car, how much it costs, etc. The handeling is great and it truly is an absolute joy to drive. Its definitely a lot of fun shifting the sports shift auto transmission. I got the red and black interior which definitely give the car more character. Definitely recommend anyone that wants a great sports car to go out and get themselves a crossfire.

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  Pacifica on the 101 - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Kenneth Ruehl - April 27 - 9:16 am

  Wow, what a great Car. It is quiet, gets looks whever you go. We were in Newport beach over the Weekend and this car fit right in. Ride is remarkable and the comfort features are more than adequate. With this car everybody is happy. Kids can recline the seats or move the seats back for more leg room, and the windows roll all the way down in the back. Our Pacifica is loaded with everything except Navigation. Who needs NAV. I am a guy I know where I am going. Nothing is better than driving a car like this and knowing you have a car with a five star crash rating. Easy to get in and get out of. fits everybody comfortably. Fit and Finish is way above standard. We Love our Pacifica!

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  Why stop a good thing ??... - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By love my 300 - April 27 - 2:00 am

  I use this car for work and love it. Very comfortable, comes loaded: power seats, heated seats, leather. Very comfortable car, large trunk, good power, I like the auto stick. I go through the mountains every day and just leave it in 3rd. Good power up the hills and keeps you at the limit going down. I would have bought another one. 300c looks too big for me!!