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:

• 

  Still Love It - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By Carloskid - March 28 - 7:54 am

  After 10 years of loving attention, my 2000 M still turns heads. With factory chrome wheels and slightly fatter tires on the 17" wheels, it looks very contemporary. Most newer cars still retain the look the 330M pioneered in 1999. No significant problems - Except for tires, all original equipment. (Almost all highway driving). Id buy it again.

• 

  Gorgeous Car - 2006 Chrysler Sebring
  By katie1nel - March 26 - 4:55 am

  I love my Sebring! Ive had her for over 2 years now and have never had any trouble with her. The interior is roomy, Im 510" tall and have no problems hitting my head. It came with Eagle LS tires and I switched to Michelin Destiny. It reduced the road noise dramatically! Truck is nice and big, the back seat is roomy and I like having the option to put the seat down in the back. I get compliments on my car all the time! Glad I got the 2006 model, the 2007 and later model isnt all that attractive to me. Thrilled with it!!

• 

  I love it so far! - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By R. Hollywood Wright - March 24 - 9:27 pm

  So far so good I love the interior, the audio system/dvd etc. And who doesnt love all the power options and the heated seats :) this is one classy so called mini van I have that pretty gold with chrome rims 19s Im just gone hate when I gotta buy tires at almost $200 a piece but oh well, I look good and it looks good when its cleaned up and looking pretty, I have gotten nothing but compliments on it every since I bought it, I dont drive it every day though, its my Cadillac it stays in the garage and looks pretty until a family outing or I go out to the club or a spacial occasion, I bought it used and it already had 86,000 highway miles. On it so I want to preserve it for road trips, go buy one!

• 

  Great Value for Money - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Sean - March 23 - 9:17 pm

  I bought my 2005 touring model last year (2009). Although 4 years old when I got it with 79k on the odometer, bless the previous owner who obviously loved this car. In addition to the luxurious interior, comfort, quiet ride, great styling & road presence, I git it at a great price at $11,000 with 21,000 km left on the warranty. I purchased an additional bumper to bumper warranty for 2 years and never had to use it, thank God, based on some of the horror stories Ive read here. The fact that Mercedes Benz had a key role in design and building this beauty is apparent in road handling and styling. Overall, I am very happy with my Pacifica or Fica as my 5 year-old daughter lovingly calls it!

• 

  I LOVE my Pacifica! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Beth - March 22 - 9:14 pm

  I was shocked to hear when this car was being discontinued because I absolutely love it! However, I do wish it got better gas. I average about 18 mpg between highway/city. I have taken this on road trips around the country with my family and friends. My last one was last summer and was about 5,000 miles long. Nobody has EVER complained about comfort, but instead prefer to ride in my car because it IS so comfortable. I love the navigation in the dash though mine is currently not reliable. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesnt. I think the player gets dirty. In the 5 years Ive owned it, I have had to replace the front window regulators once each.

• 

  After four months - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Don - March 22 - 3:45 pm

  Still love the vehicle. We had to get use to the color (Marine Blue Pearlcoat) but after a while it grows on you. The interior is very comfortable. The sound system is good and the DVD entertainment is very clear. With the 255 horsepower engine and a 4500 lb vehicle, the gas mileage is something that we will accept and live with. Overall, I wish I had bought one sooner. Ours came off of a Chrysler lease with 20,155 miles, remaining factory warranty and a 80,000 mile 6 year power train coverage.

• 

  Review of 97 Concorde - 1997 Chrysler Concorde
  By Mike P - March 22 - 11:04 am

  I have owned this car for about a year now, bought it used with 440,000 km on it, it now has almost half a million. No major problems at all. Changed brakes, oil, and a few other routine items, but an easy fix for someone with a little DIY experience. The 3.5 L V6 has awesome power and the transmission is very solid. I have driven this car across Canada three times now and all 3 have been without any problems. Very pleased with this car!!

• 

  Speedboat - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By rollin59 - March 21 - 10:40 pm

  This is a superb car. I was looking for a late model fast, V8 powered sporty car, looked at 07-09 Mustang GT and Camaro. Mustang rides like a lumber wagon on rough roads. Camaro has too little head room and both had kind of chintzy interior. A friend who has a Magnum kept raving about the 5.7 Hemi with multi-displacement. Short story, I test drove a 300C Hemi and wound up buying a low mileage lease return. So far (1 month) a great car.

• 

  Very Lucky - 2002 Chrysler Voyager
  By lisad - March 15 - 8:12 pm

  We bought this van when it was 3 yrs old, it has been so reliable. Once it hit 140,000 miles, we had to start replacing items water pump, both front wheel bearings, rotors, valve cover gasket and transmission pump. Its now "brand new" again, no way ill get rid of it. This is so comfortable, sturdy and easy to drive. In town gas mileage is TERRIBLE, highway is great

• 

  Dream Car for my son - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Matt - March 12 - 2:37 pm

  We bought this car for my 16 year old son and he loves the car. It had style, a safe rating, and seemed very dependable. Ive read the mixed reviews and was a little nervous, however reviews can be deceiving. All his friends are now bugging their parents for a convertible and our son is very grateful. We would do it again - in a heartbeat - if another Chrysler Convertible was available.