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:

• 

  So far, so good - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By 1st chrysler purchas - November 21 - 10:00 am

  First Chysler but loved it the first time I saw it in an ad. Room for the whole family (mom, dad, and 4 kids) and the DVD player keeps them all happy on long trips. Gas mileage reaches 25 MPG on Wyoming/Colorado interstate, about 17 in town. Can tow trailer down the highway and still get nearly 17 MPG.

• 

  Loving Our Blessing! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Cathey Family - November 21 - 10:00 am

  Chrysler has really exceeded every expectation that we had. This car is not for the shy! Expect admiration and alot of conversation!

• 

  Love My PT GT! - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By blue star - November 21 - 3:33 am

  According to my service adviser the PT is among a few cars that only come in for maintenance. I drive approximately 100 miles per day and she is a joy to drive. It has loads of passenger room, the rear seats fold down flat to allow a good surface to carry lots of things. The controls are easy to access, she drives smooth as silk and the stiffer suspension lets me enjoy curves. She has new Eagle Tires which are an improvement over the originals, the Turbo is responsive, fit and finish is very good, bluetooth, sirius radio and 6 CD changer. Originally I leased a Touring model to be sure, Im sure I love this car. Its distinctive styling is a stand out but shes not just beautiful...

• 

  Great car fun fun to drive - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Dyna - November 19 - 5:56 pm

  I love my pt gt convert. it is the most fun car I have ever had.

• 

  Better than the first - 2002 Chrysler Concorde
  By bazoo - November 17 - 2:00 am

  I thought I enjoyed my old 97 Concorde, until I traded it for this one! The Limited has a peppy engine, that still gets good gas mileage - about 23 mpg. The handling and performance reminds me of a vintage corvette. Theres more room in this car than some efficiency apartments, and its got about every luxury feature, except GPS/mapping and a lowjack.

• 

  My 300C - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Robert Statt - November 14 - 5:40 am

  When the 1955 Chrysler C300 was introduced 50 years ago, I wanted one. I was only 14 at the time, but that was my dream car. I finally got one. I have owned 27 cars since 1958, (mostly new luxury models), and this 2005 300C is by far the best of the bunch. It is high off the ground (you dont feel like you are sitting on the road), it is extreamly stylish, very powerful, and best of all very comfortable. It is quiet, smooth, and full of suprises. It is truly a "Luxury Muscle Car". It is my dream car.

• 

  great car - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By gary rodrigues - November 14 - 1:00 am

  this is a great little car and has multi purposes. it once fit a new 32" screen door inside, by folding one rear seat, and the front seat. My wife sat in the other part of the rear seat behind me while I drove home from Home Depot. plus its a lot of fun do drive

• 

  No more TOYOTAS! - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By ScModena - November 13 - 6:26 am

  After driving a Toyota Four Runner, mostly to the service department , I didnt know what I was missing. This thing is great! I love it! Im Not buying anymore Toyotas!

• 

  Cruisin - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By eclark - November 12 - 2:53 am

  Chrysler provided a way to watch the development of the PT Cruiser all the way through the design stage. I followed the process and always wanted to own one. Finally in 2005 I got my chance. I have not been disappointed in the least. The interior flexibility is amazing. The comfort is excellent. I get question after question about my PT Cruiser at gas stations and stop lights. Driving my PT Cruiser is an all around fun experience.

• 

  A blast from the past - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Gerald Schwartz - November 10 - 4:40 pm

  This car truly deserves to be a Chrysler 300. It has great pickup at all speeds, fine brakes and outside of an early recall which took 20 muntes to fix, it is a dream. Car draws more looks and raves than any I have ever owned.