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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  Im thrilled. Wife is ecstatic. - 2006 Chrysler Sebring
  By TalkingToilet - October 25 - 1:17 pm

  This is our first convertible. After reviewing all available in our price range, this one by far seemed the best choice -- simply because its easily the classiest-looking of all its peers. Weve had old Fords and newer Mercedes...my wife has never cared which we drove. To her, a cars a car. The Sebring Touring Convertible, however, has her coming to my office EVERY DAY to steal it from me or to wait until I get off so we can just drive. She hates driving in traffic...except with this car (when the tops down). Im thrilled. Wife is ecstatic. NOTE: Get the V6. Dont you dare skimp on this. Its not very powerful, really, so dont go for anything less.

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  2005 Pac Signature Series AWD - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Roundup - October 25 - 6:16 am

  Excellent car, but as usual, poor visiblility out of back glass. Height is way too low on all armrest. Gas mileage is subpar. Needs to be able to toggle average miles per gallon. HID lights are nice for flat roads, but not on twisty roads. Too isolated of a beam. Seats need be longer.

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  My first new car - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By C.R. MAIKRANZ - October 24 - 11:46 pm

  The 2006 chrysler, base , 300, is a beautiful car. It`s styling is outstanding. It lacks in the performance dept. With the engine, in my opinion, too small, 2.7 V6. Fuel economy is not as advertised, and the transmission leaves a lot to be desired. I like to use 2 nd. Gear a lot in winter. This can not be be done on this car. Otherwise it is a lot of car for the money. Hope chrysler changes that poor winter time transmission though. If i had noticed a little earlier, i may have had second thoughts on that issue. All in all, it is a very nice car.

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  I like my Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By jay2a8 - October 23 - 11:45 am

  We have had this vehicle for 6 months. We have taken several 1200 mile trips. WE like how it handles and the way it rides. The gas mileage is ok but would always like to see it be better. My wife uses the vehicle each day going back and forth to work. Her average in town has been 19mpg. Driving 80 mph on the interstate we get about the same.

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  The Best One for the Family - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By mblaudio - October 21 - 11:18 pm

  I just recently became a father, and had to get rid of my Dodge Dakota, Not only do I love this vehicle but I purchased a nicely equipped touring, and unburied myself 11k out of my Dodge truck and my payments went up $60.00 a month. I needed out of that truck, but as I drive it more and more every day it just gets beater. My wife loves it more than her Jetta because it is so much easier to get take the baby in. I have almost 3000 miles on it now, and it is performing perfectly, handles awesome, and the gas mileage while it could be better is better than that truck was. I am getting I guess split between highway, and city around 15-18. I love driving it. The stereo is ok, especially w/sirius

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  1st PT - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By REM - October 21 - 9:23 am

  I bought this vehicle sight unseen. It has taken five years off my life and has gotten back to enjoying music in the car.

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  No Bluray!? - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By JR - October 20 - 5:59 pm

  Hope you like going back to 2006 as the built in entertainment system will only play DVDs. I do love the roll down side windows

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  Great Car - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By debbie - October 20 - 5:20 pm

  I have had the car for almost 2 years now, and it is the first car that I have not had to take back to the dealership for something major

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  Dont get the base motor - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By SMK - October 20 - 9:01 am

  I had to get this car because my company went to company cars. I was driving an 05 Acura TSX. The 300 that I have has the ABS and the side curtain air bags. The base motor is just not powerful enough. I would have preferred the 3.5 motor, but it was not an option.

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  Wanna Fly? - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By jjbbss - October 20 - 7:03 am

  If you are not a jet pilot and want to experience the thrill, strap on one of these SRT8s and enjoy the ride! I could not believe that i would ever drive a muscle car again. Be careful and have FUN!