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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  All eyes on us - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By John 88 - November 15 - 10:00 am

  Everybody looks at this car. At first I thought they were looking at us but I soon realized it was the car. We have the vanilla light yellow color. Some people think it is a new Bently, but all think it is fabulous.

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  Excellent Affordable Luxury - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By abella74 - November 15 - 10:00 am

  I rented this car from Budget Car Rental and enjoyed every bit of it. Its roomy and attracts a lot of attention.

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  Great vehicle - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By RBKesley - November 15 - 10:00 am

  This is an awesome vehicle. It is responsive, comfortable, quiet, refined and nimble. It not only has distinctive looks but exceptional ride and handling quality. Really a fun, refined, comfortable and awesome vehicle to drive.

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  Cutest Car Ever - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Glenna20 - November 14 - 8:56 pm

  This is the greatest and cutest car ever. When I decide to purchase another vehicle, I will just move this one to the side of the garage and keep it forever. It will become a real classic. The color is great, the style is great, the fun is great. I love it.

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  Loved this car but... - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By farrynbalch - November 13 - 3:02 am

  This was my first car. 2002 pt cruiser touring edition, automatic transmission. I LOVED this car, I bought it at 127,000 miles. Did awesome in the snow, and on long trips. Once my car hit 160,000 miles it went to shit. The timing belt went out which was around 1,000 dollars to fix. We ended up putting over $2,000 into it, then 6 months later it broke down again. Then 3 months later it broke down again. OVerall it was a good car until the miles got up there. Also has a horrible resale value. The value decreases very quickly. If it has low miles its a great car. Very roomy.

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  Chrysler Sebring in Maine - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By R. J. ST-PIERRE - November 12 - 7:10 pm

  This a fun car to drive. It handles very well and the 2.4 has plenty of power for those of us who are looking for reliable transportation at an affordable price. It is easy to parallel park which is great for my wife. Even the low end model includes many features I paid extra for in our previous car.

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  A Great Car Just Got Better - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By Gary Custis - November 12 - 5:56 pm

  I was a proud owner of the 1999 Chrysler Sebring LXi. I truly enjoyed driving that one until I went in to the dealership for service and the new 2007 model was staring at me. It called me over for a test drive and forced me to buy it. I love it! It drives like a sporty car but has the feel of a small luxury car.

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  Best vehicle Ive ever owned - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By ddixon - November 12 - 9:22 am

  Purchased this car as a retirement vehicle. Has met all my expectations for reliability, comfort and convenience. The only negative is poor sight in backup mode - you have to be really careful and take it slowly. Great car in the city and on the highway, not affected by high winds, stops on a dime, handling is very good. Gas mileage averages 20 MPG which is not bad for a very heavy vehicle.

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  2015 Chrysler 200s PIECE OF JUNK - Chrysler sucks - 2015 Chrysler 200
  By Mr. Disappointed - November 12 - 9:02 am

  I have purchased 3 chrysler vehicles over the past 3 years and have had issues with every single one of them. My current vehicle, a 2015 chrysler 200s has left my wife stranded in the middle of a busy intersection, not started on several occasions, and the transmission has had issues from day 1. Chrysler refuses to stand by their product (piece of junk). Went through the channels, customer care etc... got hung up on, mistreated on the phone and in general every single person involved had a lack of empathy towards the situation. I told them if they wouldnt stand by their own product, how could anyone else? They will not stand by their product, so neither am I. I will never own another, and am in the process of working out how I can get rid of every single one. The Honda CRV looks nice, I think well be going that route.

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  Fun and Reliable - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Digger - November 11 - 3:10 am

  Fell in love at 1st sight! Ive owned 5 convertibles and the PT is my favorite. Easy to enter/exit, raise/lower top. Solid structure without leaks even after 37000 miles. Reasonably quick and nimble. Fun to drive, to look upon and fun in which to be seen. Trunk access poorly designed. Pricey but worth it just looking at it.