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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  Ultimate cruising car - 2001 Chrysler Prowler
  By David Hill - April 19 - 2:00 am

  Love it! There are cars that are built more solid, that perform better, that are more practical, that have more room (OK almost everything has more room, but thats not why you buy a Prowler), but this is by far the best car Ive owned if you want to have fun. Dont drive it if you dont feel like being social, because everybody and I mean everybody will stop you and ask questions, take pictures, ask you to trade, take pictures, congregate around the car. Ive even had fire trucks put on the sirens to get through traffic to get a closer look.

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  Bought one of the last new 300Ms! - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By DNaatz - April 19 - 2:00 am

  Only few hundreds of new 300Ms still on the US dealer lots yet this Spring. With $4K rebates & another $3-4K discounts you can get a loaded Eurostyle luxury sport car for around $24K! Great handling, styling, roomy interior and FWD (vs RWD of the new "mobster style" 300C that replaced them) are what attracted us along with 7/70 warranty and reputed good reliability. I have a writeup under consumerreview. com since this is limited to 700 words (see http://www.allpar. com/reviews/2002/300M-special. html) this red beauty won over my wife and I against a Bonneville, and loaded imports.

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  Chrysler Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By DorthiaC - April 19 - 2:00 am

  I love this car!!! Everyone wants to know what is it -- is it a car, is it a truck??? I had so much fun driving it this summer everyone thought it was so cool. I have the Inferno Red and I absolutely love it - I traded in a 2002 300 M for this car and have not regretted it once. Although we could use a little more horse power - I love to drive - thanks Chrysler it is the coolest car out there. My stero could be louder too.

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  Perfct Crossover to SUV, Van, Wagon - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By lionsfan - April 19 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is a very comfortable feeling car. It feels very solid, safe and luxorious. So far, the horsepower and gas mileage havent been a problem. Its comparing equally to my other vehicle, which is a mini van.It drives exceptional on the highway and during our first snow storm, handled treacherous roads great.

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  A sweet dream - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Mily saba - April 19 - 2:00 am

  I love it. I feel very secure driving it.

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  Buy best yet from chryler - 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By chrysler pt cruiser - April 18 - 11:10 am

  Ive been buying Chrysler all my life yes since I could drive. My dad was a master mechanic. This car is my best all over yet. Riding and just home running, i am disabled and it really helps me with the lumber adj. In the seat on the drivers side, and have all electric is a big help too. The size I love is, brings me back too the 1970s. My only sad thing is that chryslers busy is going out the door. My place that I bought my cars for 30 years and fix them. Have no longer been able to keep what they had. Dont know all the notes but, this is a sad issue for me I dont want to buy any other vehicle. Bring back Chrysler.

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  My 5th Chrysler Minivan - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Steinar Andersen - April 18 - 7:59 am

  Ive owned Chrysler minivans GEN1, GEN2, GEN3, GEN4 (but not Gen 5, I had gotten a 2009 Toyota Sienna XLS instead). So I am back in the saddle with a GEN6 Pacifica. Ive been VERY surprised with the gas mileage (averaging almost 30 mpg on the highway...... 23 mpg in local driving. I have the Touring L Plus and I have every option available on it (except for the Moonroof and towing). Ive had it for 4 months, and it is heads and tails above my 2009 Toyota Sienna XLS regarding every aspect of its experience. The infotainment sytem is QUICK. The rear entertainment system has been used extensively on a 1,000 mile trip back and forth to Nashville (and kept my passengers entertained and connected with full support of their electronic devices). The minivan is very quiet, and the NAV system is quite good. So far, only one recall (for the EGR and that was replaced within 30 minutes of my handing the minivan over to the service department). I wish I had a spare tire tho (for peace of mind). I bought this minivan for $38,000 and plan on keeping it for at least 10 years, I am praying that the electronics plus mechanicals prove better than my GEN3 experience.

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  New Owner - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Cliff - April 18 - 4:56 am

  Very enjoyable car to drive with more than sufficient power and excellent handling capability. Also an eye- catcher. Ive had more people stare and stop to talk to me about the car that Ive ever experienced.

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  Aesthetically pleasing and great standard features - 2017 Chrysler 200
  By Christie P - April 17 - 7:36 pm

  Very very nice care, handles well, just need a little more head room and a little more space in the backseat and it would be beyond perfect

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  Like riding on a cloud... - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Jada - April 17 - 7:10 am

  I have a back problem and was looking for a car with a smooth ride and I got it in my 07 Pacifica. Wonderful ride, feel very safe, beautiful on the outside, get lots of compliments, reliable and the best vehicle Ive owned. Easy to get in and out of, tons of storage and great features. What more could anyone want?