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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  MY 2004 Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By carboy - January 17 - 2:03 pm

  Things I like is that i can haul lot of things with 3 row down, but am able to put my son and 2 dogs in in back and they can watch a dvd. Fuel Mileage could be a little better but going to complain.

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  Great Car!! - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By larice - January 15 - 8:13 pm

  I love this car! We just bought the 05 touring addition last month. Took it on a trip from NC to Washington DC. Handled great on interstate. No problems so far. Average about 25 mpg, which is right on target with the window sticker claim. I went from a mini-van to the cruiser, and am very surpised at the interior room.

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  You just would not believe it! - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By James - January 15 - 12:26 am

  I have owned BMW’s and other luxury cars, but for the money you just can’t beat this one! It is just a pure delight to drive. It is quite and smooth and wind noise is virtual non existent. Road noise is about the same as a 745i but just a tad bit louder. The seats are just right, not to firm or soft; they just seem to hug and hold you. Like most people are saying in here, the leg room is outstanding! As for the wife, she loves the drive height as she can see over the small cars and loves the way it handles. Parking is no problem here! We look forward to a long relationship with this one.

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  Great Car - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By J. Snowden - January 14 - 7:33 pm

  Very comfortable and fun car to drive. People seem to notice this car and have received many compliments. First road trip was 400 miles from Las Vegas to San Luis Obispo, CA, and made trip on one tank of gas with 100 miles left over on "miles to empty" computer. Got 29 miles per gallon for the entire trip. Chose Cool Vanilla for our exterior color and the custom "Bentley- style" front grill. Love it!

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  Unbelievable - 2007 Chrysler Aspen
  By jeh0096 - January 14 - 5:03 pm

  Couldnt ask for a more comfortable car to drive. Love everything about it. Wonderful for kids. Even though it looks a little like a Durango....I get asked all the time how I like it and told that it sure is a beautiful vehicle. As a side point..a Lexus backed into the bumper, my damage was 800.00 his was 4,000.00. Id say its pretty sturdy. To bad the Lexus didnt have rear sensors like my Aspen does. Could have saved an insurance claim.

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  A quick, fun to drive, unique convertible - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By michaelcagle - January 14 - 9:56 am

  I owned a 2002 limited and loved the car, but always felt like it was a too slow and at times, too "Brady Bunch". I was thrilled to see the 4 door transform into a two door. I loved the look with the top up beter than the original wagon look, and once the top is down, it has one of the coolest looks on the road. My GT convertible is my baby. Red and Black. I love the sport bar, the funky trunk, the silver on the grill and the HO turbo is a blast to drive. Yes, it is not a mustang a GT, or a vette, but it wont be the last one leaving the stoplight. I have 0-60 time just under 7 seconds and that is great. it passes with confidence, handles well and looks amazi

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  Worth a Look - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By ramzey28 - January 14 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is worth a look at...Dare to Compare. I think the Pacifica will win hands down for the price. Best of all worlds. A great combination of SUV, Wagon, and Minivan. Well laid out..with features to die for. Would like to see rear sensors, 5 speed auto. with 30 more hp., 1"+ ground clearance.

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  Couldnt wait to get rid of my Crossfire! - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Drew - January 13 - 6:43 pm

  My lease on this vehicle ended in June 07 but I traded it in earlier because its such a nightmare to drive. While this car handles and accelerates very well on the highway its a nightmare to ride in the city. Potholes will make you bounce all over the road and getting the tires to stick around turns can be quite a gamble. If you are tall just forget buying this car unless you dont mind your knees touching the dash!

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  Could be worse - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By huntinchic - January 13 - 12:40 pm

  I have read many previous reviews on the 07 Cruiser, some have been calling this vehicle a "Compact Car" and them complaining about the mileage. I have to say that I have the basic model with no cruise control and I get 21 MPG city and that a site better than the 12 MPG I was getting in my 4X4 pickup. It handles great, corner tight. I love my PT Cruiser! My suggestion is, if you think this is a compact car, think again before you buy. PTs are small type SUVs and wagons, the little convertible may be classified as a car but the others are not.

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  Nice drive - 2007 Chrysler Aspen
  By Briank - January 13 - 11:57 am

  my wife chose it over durango for styling. The hemi with mds works well all around.