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 Mid-size for the Money - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By JonEangel - March 22 - 2:00 am

  Compared to the other top selling mid-sized cars, the Chrysler Sebring 4-Door DXi comes with everything you could possibly want, and under the sticker price of the Accord and Camry. With leather interior, wood grain accents, clean stylish lines and a five star crash test, I dont know why anyone would choose differently.

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  Great family car - 2000 Chrysler Concorde
  By wjbraun - March 21 - 2:00 am

  I have owned this vehicle for four years, and am amazed at how little maintenance it requires. After 68,000 miles, the engine still purrs like the day it was made, and has required no repairs. One word describes how this car rides: smooth. There are plenty of places to put coffee, too, with two cup holders in front and two in back. The seats are comfortable, with plenty of leg room for all passengers. I would recommend this car to anyone looking for a big sedan. It has lots of interior space, a huge trunk, and is very reliable. The mileage is also pretty good I average 26 MPG on my daily commutes.

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  A definite Winner - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Ed Rezek - March 20 - 11:40 pm

  Have had a lot of luxury cars and this is the nicest surprise I have ever found in Fifty Years of driving. Meets or surpasses other high end cars by far. I get a lot more for a lot less with this 300C.

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  The way it should be - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Ed Hickey - March 20 - 4:26 pm

  I have owend many cars and trucks from cadillacs to corvettes and none have come close to the 300c it has it all ride, looks and performance. Kudos to chrysler corp they hit a home run!!!

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  Love the "M" - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By ALVIN J MILLER - March 18 - 2:00 am

  I absolutely love the "M" except for the lousy sound system. I commend Daimler for discontinuing the relationship with infinity, anything would be an improvement!

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  I love it, but I hate it... - 1999 Chrysler Concorde
  By Jeff: Starkville, MS - March 17 - 2:00 am

  I have never been behind the wheel of a car that was more comfortable or more fun to drive on the interstate than this "Highway Hog." Even when the A/C is on, it gets great gas milage, 21 city 32 highway! If it wasnt for the two times I had to put it in the shop to replace transmission sensors(the input and then the out sensor--about $110 each time) I would have no complaints. Ive sat up to 7 people(3 front, 4 back) comfortably. Overall, its a good car but if I got another one I would buy it new, lease it for 3 years, and get rid of it because Chrysler transmissions suck once they get over 3 years old.

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  Great car - 1999 Chrysler Concorde
  By .80 - March 16 - 2:00 am

  Flawless operation, on Interstate and locally, with great (31.5) mpg on 3.2 engine. Only TWO problems.... speed control went out twice till they got it fixed, and 1 power window failure. Car handles great.

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  my 06 cruiser - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By cntrygurl - March 14 - 5:46 pm

  this is the best new car i have ever driven ,its not like the 05 saturn ion quad coupe 3 i had ,this cruiser has speed and i like how you sit up high, you can hear no wind noise or bumps in this car, the style is excellent and i love the interior its so retro, i feel like im back in good old days ,......

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  Absolutely LOVE this car!! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By mompilot - March 14 - 10:00 am

  This car drives so smoothly and is so comfortable that I keep looking for excuses to go somewhere! It is perfect for a family of 4. The folding seats are easy to operate and convenient. 6 DVD changer is great for long trips with the kids (no DVD or video cases all over the car). Plenty of storage space with front and mid consoles.

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  milten ruben - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By barry austin - March 14 - 10:00 am

  this is the best car i ever had it is fun to drive. it is fun to exellerate. you sit up hight. i just love it. yvonne austin