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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  A fun to drive family car - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By amyb2 - December 31 - 8:30 am

  In my expeience, this car is fun to drive. You have the room of an SUV or minivan but you dont feel like you are just a soccer mom in it. It feels a little bit flashy, like you are a mom with some style. I drove it to the mall a couple days after purchase and I could not believe the great turning radius it has getting into a tight parking spot. It turns on a dime and handles beautifully too!

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  excellent car - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By carlos - December 31 - 8:16 am

  The car drives well and my 250 HP engine performs good. Vehicle is very roomy. Rear visibility is not terrific. The vehicle is quiet and comfortable. The power gives a real sense of confidence on the road when the need to accelerate quickly.

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  Great Car, Fun to Drive - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By J. Sawa - December 31 - 12:10 am

  I chose the Pacifica after looking at several other choices, and I have not regretted my choice once. I really love this vehicle theres room for everyone plus room for gear. I chose the front-wheel drive Touring sedan (for better gas mileage) with the 2 rear captains seats and the 2 way-back seats that fold down, rather than a bench back seat. I also have the better radio with 5-CD changer. We take this vehicle on vacation every year (a 13-hour drive each way), and Im never cramped or exhausted when we arrive at our destination. Chrysler has a winner with the Pacifica. When its time to replace our current model, Ill look for another Pacifica.

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  Best car I ever had - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By Hyman Arbesfeld - December 30 - 8:05 pm

  I leased a 2007 300C AWD after coming off a two year lease on a 2005 Cadillac STS. Best move I ever made. The design, in Inferno Red, is a real head turner. The power and interior comfort cant be matched. With the options I took, I have very feature I could want, at an unbelievable low price.

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  Buy One Youll be surprised - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Ed Schomer,Jr. - December 29 - 6:12 pm

  Im retired and my health took a turn thats why my mileage is so low. When we first bought it we took two long trips. The trips were beautiful we were able to use speed control most of the way that took a lot of stress off. Now we use it for a food hauler and local trips.

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  Crossfire - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By bwiren - December 29 - 9:34 am

  Dont know why I dont see lots of these on the road. They are so fun to drive and great to look at also.

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  I love mine! - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Darlene - December 27 - 8:13 am

  I have 97,000 miles on my 02 and the only thing I have had go out was the front suspension, but it was covered under my 100,000 mile warranty. Other than oil changes, tires and 1 new battery, I have had no problems and would buy another one.

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  My wife & I both have 2005 Pacificas. - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Ron Turner - December 27 - 12:06 am

  My wife & I leased two 05 Chrysler Pacificas in Feb. 2005. My wifes car is FWD and mine is AWD. Both are Touring Models. The cars are fun to drive. They hold the road well in all weather conditions. They drive more like a car than a Suv or Mini-Van. I feel my AWD model is a little underpowered off the line, but it does well in passing situations on the highway. My wife and I both have approximately 8,000-9,000 miles on our cars. Her FWD model is doing much better on gas than my AWD model. My wife is averaging 18.9 mpg combined city/hwy. As were Im only averaging 13.5 city/hwy. Both cars have been in the shop for a safety recalls. My AWD model had control module replaced affecting the A/C

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  Lacks power - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Garth - December 26 - 9:50 am

  Nice looking, no problems to date however it seriously lack power. It goes nowhere fast on a rolling start.

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  ChryslerConcorde_2000 - 2000 Chrysler Concorde
  By MarylandJoe - December 26 - 7:21 am

  2000 Chrysler Concorde: the best car Ive owned. I bought it new. Interior: well engineered: plenty of leg room, easy access to knobs & switches, and very luxurious. For a car this size: outstanding 30 mpg on highway and 27 mpg in city. The only maintenance that I do religiously is oil/fluid changes, and replacement of tires, brakes, wipers... It has not let me down yet. Sleek look: body features and the paint (metallic steel blue) are still in excellent condition after all these years. The ride is smooth and very comfortable with ample power from the v-6. The only concern - door weather- stripping came loose and does not stay in place - seems to be a bad design. Any fix ideas?