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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  End of the boring Sebring... - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By VRT - December 15 - 2:04 pm

  Im a proud FORD owner, however my family works at JEEP and I get the EC discount. I leased my Sebring for 159 a month and the 2006 model is VERY boring. This 2007 model grabs from the 300C and the Crossfire. Its very affordable. The people that dont like this car because they want BMW or AUDI style and performance and want to pay like a KIA. Seriously give this car a try, this comes from a FORD person. FYI go for the V6 its much better!

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  Great Car - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Robert - December 15 - 6:03 am

  Bought the car for a cheap commuter. Only car I could find new for under twelve thousand that fit my needs. Has worked great for the job at a smooth 30 mpg average. Plus only car with a lifetime powertrain warranty. Would buy another one without hesitation.

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  NIIIIIICE. - 1997 Chrysler Sebring
  By Matt - December 14 - 4:37 pm

  Overall, this is a nice ride. I bought it for my sons first car, and it was a good choice. I have had a few repairs, but its an old car. I would definitely get another if it came up.

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  Great Vehicle - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By landark - December 14 - 10:00 am

  Looking for a family car that is different that everyone elses SUV, the cost is way less than a ML 350 or X5. The size is larger and the comfort is equal. Not as tall to get in and out of, handles like a car, and equipped in comfort. Mercedes quality in an American product. Congratulations!

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  Look Of Luxury - 2007 Chrysler Aspen
  By Dennis Williams - December 14 - 9:04 am

  It has the looks, comfort, & amenities of a SUV priced thousands more. The third row has enough room for adults. It has the power to pull my boat & it fits in the garage.

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  love my aspen - 2007 Chrysler Aspen
  By Kerry Grisson - December 14 - 7:34 am

  I am so happy that I purchased the aspen, it is a fun, stable and beautiful vehicle and I am really enjoying it

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  2007 Sebring - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By sfm - December 13 - 11:32 am

  After driving a van for the past 7 years it was nice to go back to a sedan. We love the look. It is sporty and the front seat sits higher than most sedans. For being a small sedan it gives the driver and passenger plenty of room. I am really pleased with the overall performance of the car. It doesnt feel like the 4 cylinder engines I was used to.

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  Chrysler 300 - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Haywood B. Joiner, J - December 13 - 10:14 am

  The Chrysler 300 is a fun car to drive and has the appearance of a much more expensive automobile. I have had problems with the window motors in three of the doors (windows would not go down). All three window motors had to be replaced. I have also had problems with the child locks on both rear doors (when child lock is off adult passengers cannot open rear doors, so I have to get out and open doors from outside of the vehicle). I have had this problem checked, but it continues to reoccur. I have also had to have both sun visor clips replaced. They broke off a few weeks after purchase. Both of my fog lamps, for some reason cracked. I dont think rocks caused the cracks.

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  179,000 miles and going strong! - 1993 Chrysler Concorde
  By JKH - December 12 - 5:18 pm

  After 179K miles, I still consider my Concorde to be reliable. It gets me where I need to go, even though my wife points out that the power lock button on the drivers side has long since migrated into the paneling of the door. I am happy to report, however, that the passenger side power lock is doing just fine. Also, the car periodically locks and unlocks itself, but weve just learned not to leave it running without rolling down a window. I believe that this gives the car character.

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  the car that almost could but didnt - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By nvwalt - December 12 - 1:43 am

  I researched this car on the internet. I compared it to the nissan, toyota and mustang. For the price and style it stood above the rest. It is a fun car. Since I have owned however, I have had it in the shop for various repairs in excess of 30 days. It has had oil light problems, overheat problem, alignment problems. God help you if you had to change the battery. I am on my 3rd roof motor. the fabric is tearing on the roof as well. I drive highway miles. I would recommend that you pass on this car until Chrysler gets its act together it is nice but no Substance.