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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  Too many problems to be this new - 2012 Chrysler 200
  By Brocenter - February 18 - 2:22 pm

  I have a 2012 Chrysler 200. I have had it for 2.5 years. I purchased the extended warranties thank goodness. The heater core went out on the passenger side a year after I purchased the car. I also had a recall done on the drivers side head rest in 2014. In 2016 while driving home the drivers side head rest deployed hitting me in the back of the head VERY hard while driving. Im lucky it didnt knock me out. All I wanted was my car fixed and Chrysler has sent their person over and did a review and sent me a letter stating it was nothing they did on their part. So of course now I have my attorney involved. I could have went to the doctor and built up a million in doctor bills because I know I have neck damage and its causing issues with my arms but I just wanted my car fixed. I really like my car, but it only has 69K miles on it and it should not be having these issues. It handled really poorly when I first got it but I put good Toyo tires on it and now it handles great. I hope they dont make a huge fight out of this because I really want to keep my car but I will get rid of it and never by Chrysler again if they dont take responsibility.

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  Will never buy again. - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By vickad76 - February 18 - 8:46 am

  Was dreaming about buying this car for about two years. Finally a year ago Ive made enough money and bought the car of my dreams for $7,000.00 with 60,000 mi on it. For the first half of a year I really enjoyed it, but suddenly in the middle of a winter it stopped shifting gears. After I added transmission fluid, it worked well till the spring. Once it got to be warmer the old problems went back, and the car would stop shifting gears whenever it likes. Now I went through three months of nightmares already and need to pay about $2,000 for the repair, for the warranty is already expired. It was the last Chrysler vehicle Ive bought.

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  I Love My Chrysler 300 "C" - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By audrey - February 18 - 7:36 am

  At the end of my work day, I look forward to my drive home. The 300 "C" still turns peoples heads. The Hemi engine has plenty of "punch" when I need it. This car handles very well and my passengers are very comfortable. I love my "Hands Free U-Connect" which works off my Blue Tooth cell phone. All my calls are through my speakers; this was the first car in North America to have this feature. Makes me feel like I have alot of car..but alot of money still left in my bank account. Im completely satisfied with this car.

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  PT Cruiser Is A Great Value - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Alan Seals - February 17 - 10:00 am

  I bought a 2001 PT Cruiser Limited Edition in March 2002. Since it was last years model and the 2002s were in, I got a good deal. It is very fun to drive and has better acceleration than many V-6 engines I have driven (5-speed). There is plenty of room for tall adults in the front and back and there is plenty of storage space. The look and design on the interior and exterior are great. Though I have put only 6,000 miles on it so far, it has been a reliable car.

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  happy car owner - 2000 Chrysler Concorde
  By Mark - February 17 - 9:48 am

  Im the original owner and have always babied my cars. I have to say I am very pleased with this vehicle and am SO thankful it has a 3.2 and not the infamous failing 2.7 motor. Lots of pep. With a few accessories its a looker in town. The only downsides which Ive learned to live with are wipers with a mind of their own which mechanics have no idea whats up with them. Just the intermittents. On my third factory radio. Door weatherstripping keeps shrinking and shrinking and causes it to hang. And as many chryslers, the factory chrome lettering is peeling off. Overall, I would recommend this car.

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  Great car @ a great price - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By aubie - February 17 - 9:14 am

  This is my 1st new car, third car Ive owned in my lifetime. I love this car. I bought it right when the midwest snow storms started and it handles very well. The stabilization system has come in handy and my ABS is wonderful. The V6 option gives the car a smooth ride.

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  Lots of Storage and Comfy Ride - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Dee - February 17 - 1:06 am

  I rented a 2006 Touring Wagon before I settled on a 2005 Limited Ed. The seats in the Limited were much more comfortable, and seat comfort was my "only" issue in the rental. I purchased a former rental vehicle and saved oodles off a new car PT price as a result (didnt take a hit on first year depreciation). I took my four (good sized) teenagers for a ride with the spouse and went shopping. Three teens in the back seat rated that back seat a unanimous "thumbs up". After grocery shopping and a few other stops, we still had room in the trunk! Even my husband, who is 61" and 245 pounds, found the ride comfortable, especially head room. My family thinks I finally bought a "cool" car!

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  2003 Steel Blue GT - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By SteelBlueGT - February 17 - 12:20 am

  Bought the car in late 2002 and it has given me over 40,000 miles of fun driving and very little trouble. An oil sending switch, a balky airbag light, and resetting the trip odometer is the only trouble so far. It does not burn oil in between 3000 mile oil changes. Original tires lasted 40,000 miles as did the brakes. Good on long trips and loves the highways. I get 19 mpg in town and 24 on the highways. Ride is firm but never harsh and handling is as good as it gets with my all season Yokohama performance tires. Interior comfort is great for both myself 6 Ft and wife 5Ft. Back seat is very roomy for four and a tight fit for five as the car is not that wide. Love the seating choices.

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  95 sebring lx - 1995 Chrysler Sebring
  By kore698 - February 16 - 7:42 am

  great car for the money and performance that youll get out of its styling is good for the eyes to look at.

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  Great Vehicle, bought another! - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By retail102 - February 15 - 7:42 pm

  Bought the car for my wife who sells real estate and travels with people along. Here in ohio we get snow in the winter and mud in the spring. She has never been stuck or had any traction trouble. the center row seats are heated and recline! My highlander lease was up this month and rather then get a new one I opted for the 07 Pacifica. NO REGRETS! GREAT RIDE. No problems. And my wife is happy i dont borrow hers any more, I can fold down the back two rows of seats and carry the things i could never fot in my Toyota. I can honestly say that the Chrysler Handles better in the rain and snow. and doest tend to nose dive when braking. as for power? AUTOSTICK is standard and give great performance!