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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  Overall a happy owner - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By matinee - January 3 - 10:31 pm

  Well, just approaching 40000 miles. So far not a single issue aside from the loss of memory for the keys (a result of me running over a boulder in the middle of a highway). The dealer did a great job fixing everything and the car still drives well. Even winter driving is not bad and I live in Edmonton, Alberta.

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  Pacifica Content - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By bojuharris - January 3 - 11:34 am

  OK!! Way underpowered. Needs at least 75 more horsepower and a 5 or 6 speed transmission. 4300 pound vehicle, need I say more. AWD is wonderful. Have never hydroplaned one time in Houston rain. Actually from Detroit but the vehicle hasnt seen snow yet. Mileage is below what I would like to have. Actual 16 and 20.5. Would sincerely consider another one. Rear visibility badly compromised.

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  Love the PT Cruiser Touring Convertible - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By RsvpJoyce - January 3 - 10:00 am

  Love this car...I have owned many cars from a Eclipse to a Mercedes and this is my favorite car.

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  I just love this car! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Georgette - January 3 - 10:00 am

  And to think I almost bought a Lexus! The price for luxury, performance and looks is beyond excellent! Definite head turner too! This will definitely be a money make for Chrysler. For under $42K you can have it all! Im so glad I made the choice I did. As long as the reliabilty stays good, my opinion wont change. About time an American car can be at the top!

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  Put fun back in the saddle - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By #Wizzzer - January 3 - 8:46 am

  The PT Cruiser has put the fun back into driving for this 260 lb 62 yr old retired computer pro. I had gotten so I hated driving anymore. I loved the old cars with personality, this has it and more. It handles like a sports car, its extremely fun to drive, comfortable, economical to operate and the Limited Edition has every toy a guy could want on a car (leather heated seats???). To top it off it turns heads, everyone wants to look at it and ask questions about it. This little car gets a workout everyday in the Ozark mountains and pulls like a champ strong and smooth, even on our rocky back roads. I absolutely love it and would buy another in a minute.

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  Very nice SUV - 2007 Chrysler Aspen
  By Budd50 - January 2 - 1:51 pm

  Chose this vehicle over Tahoe and Jeep Commander. Plenty of room for six adults. Handles very well. Excellent fit and finish. Bought with the HEMI.

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  Great Idea and design lousy quality - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Harold Parkison - January 1 - 8:10 pm

  Loved the vehicle when we first got it. It is a great road car and fun to drive. The problems are the dealership and the car company. The unit has experienced electrical system problems and been back four times. the dealership failed to address the issues and told my wife to drive the car with a bad alternator because they were on national backorder. When we complained they fixed it. When we filled out the customer survey the dealership employee literally attacked my wife on her next warranty visit. Chrysler was notified and did nothing. Wont buy another Chryser product

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  car is a flop - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By mad man - January 1 - 10:03 am

  I bought this car last year. i got one of the first ones. Well it has been nothing but touble. The car is stalling at all speeds and engine light comes on and off. There is a problem with these cars and Chrysler is trying to keep it under wraps because it was named car of the year and is selling well. If anyone else is having engine problems and stalling post it on this site.

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  hate it - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By user - December 31 - 8:19 pm

  compared to my LHS this is a farce. the seats are hard. the a/c is weak. the trunk will carry mini bags. 2 golf bags and it is full. the fuel rating is not true it is horrible. have owned LHS 2 models and other chrysler models since 70s this is really a sad car. looks good from the outside but that is where is where I say it ends.

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  M1 ABRAMS - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By PBrown - December 31 - 10:00 am

  At 14.5 MPG, a tank gets as good gas milage. And I think I should take stock in Exxon. Some things take getting used to: window switches, short shifting action, easy clutch.