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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  Its early, but I like the car so far. - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By kjbad - February 15 - 12:49 pm

  I used to own an Eagle vision, so its nice to see the little things Chrysler has fixed in the last decade. I have a Touring with 2.7 V6, Boston speakers (NICE!), U-Connect (VERY NICE!), and power sunroof. The car gets some stares because its new. Im still under 500 mi, so no hi-revving for me. Taking my first trip (900 mi round-trip) this weekend to see how it handles on the highway. So far, so good. Got 350 mi on my first tank of gas in the city.

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  Chrysler Pacifica-2004-Great - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By greg smith - February 15 - 10:00 am

  You will not be buying a race car, but you will be buying one of the most comfortable cars I have ever been in. This 4 door wagon is the best running , most comfortable cars to come along in a while. I got one that has everything on it and everything performs beyond my wildest dreams. I am very happy with my choice!

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  Sexy Look - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By ChicagoNative - February 15 - 10:00 am

  Very nice car. Sexy front end gives it a unique look. Has decent power, a lot of bang for the buck

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  LOOK AT ME NOW - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By melvinweaver - February 15 - 10:00 am

  Great car what a looker

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  Never Before a Chrysler - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Texas Bob - February 15 - 10:00 am

  Car is impressive but having problems: Outside Temperature Indication locks into a temp and does not change, if it is a low morning temp then the A/C does not work. Transmission speed sensor has failed and the part is on backorder with no delivery date. Chrysler has had my car now for 19 days out of 49 while we wait for the part. AM reception is awful, waiting on a new AM antena base.

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  My second car a beauty - 2006 Chrysler Sebring
  By Adam - February 15 - 9:01 am

  I bought the car with 10,600 miles and it drove as if it were brand new, good suspension that you dont feel every bump like most convertibles. The base speakers can get quite loud.

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  16 months ownership 2005 Limited AWD - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Bob Aiken - February 14 - 9:27 pm

  I purchased this vehicle for road trips and it is an outstanding cruiser. The road noise is low, handling on the highway is excellent, and the interior design is great. The only problem was a squeak in the lumbar support and a stalling problem with air on and low speed left turns. This was corrected by a factory recall and the seat is being repaired under warranty. Highway mileage - Pa to FL (960 miles) through mountains and at 80 mph in southern states is 20.1

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  Second Childhood/ Age 65 - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Max - February 13 - 8:26 am

  I have 4,000 miles on the car, mostly in the neighborhood.. I feel like a "traveling" sales person for chrysler! Everyone wants to chat about the car!! The crossfire luggage was an unexpected bonus, although the roll- about wont fit the trunk!

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  The Worse!!!!! - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By John - February 12 - 8:42 pm

  This is the worst vehicle I have ever purchased!! I would not buy another Chrysler product because of all the problems that I have had. The front suspension has been replaced 3 times and is in need of another replacement in which Chrylser refuses (Lemon Law). The PTO also has been replaced twice. STAY AWAY!

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  Aspen 4WD with Hemi - 2007 Chrysler Aspen
  By tjkenny - February 10 - 7:40 pm

  Couldnt care less about the Durango and was apprehensive to consider the ASPEN because I thought it was a Durango derivative. Well I was wrong! The ASPEN is a new design that is very well executed. Good fit & finish with nice responsive but comfortable handling. Bought the Limited with Hemi and all options. This car rocks!