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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  After one year of Ownership - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Randy - September 10 - 11:05 pm

  Truly a fun car to drive. Acceleration from a dead stop is amazing with the 5 Auto and the stability system to prevent loss of traction, no spinning--it just leaps forward! Hugs the road. Suspension is just firm enough. Smooth exterior lines makes hand washing easy and fast. Gets a lot of admiring looks on the road and in parking lots.

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  SSSSWEEET - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Bryan Kalinpolus - September 9 - 6:23 pm

  I just turned 17 and ive been recently looking at the corvtee and a saleen mustang s281 supercharge. One day i was lookin at 300c and i became interested and love eveything about it and one i found out it came in srt-8 i bought it. LOVE IT! i got black on black and tinted the crap outta the windows when u pull up at a late noone expects u to blast them and leave in the dust. I torched and m3 last week the guy was aaskkn so many questions about the srt-8 i told it was stock

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  Amazingly apportioned - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By David - September 8 - 4:33 am

  Short but sweet: what it lacks in looks on the outside, it more than makes up for with plush appointments on the inside. I was absolutely stunned with the endless list of standard features and beautiful options. And extremely safe too!

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  Would Buy Again in a Heartbeat - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By BILL - September 6 - 4:13 pm

  Love this car. Got a great price on it with incentives available december 2005. Its just plain fun to own and drive. If i was in the market for the car again, i would buy it in a heartbeat.

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  Happy Owner - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By John P. - September 5 - 9:15 pm

  High quality car with great power and looks. Impressive performance and features for the price. Better car for the money than my S-class Benz.

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  Missed it by that much - 1997 Chrysler Cirrus
  By Ragtop preferred - September 5 - 1:56 pm

  Missed it by ... that much. Too much. In two years, I have had to service the brakes 3 times, replace ignition wires 2 times, and an idle knock has started in the lower end of the motor/tranny at 55,000 miles. Routine service was done. It averages only 18- 19 mpg around town with a 4 cylinder. It looks and handles nice, having lots of creature comforts. Also fast off the line and on the beltway. But, I plan to sell it. I was hoping for more mechanical reliability. Im looking at Japanese cars now. I wont miss it much.

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  This car is great - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Printerm - September 5 - 10:03 am

  I bought this car with 90 miles on it in 2006. I now have 14,000 miles on it. It has been a blast driving. The looks I get make you feel real proud to drive this car. Most people dont realize it mostly German built. Gas mileage has been averaging 30+ since I bought it.

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  coming up for air.... - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By Ellen Trout - September 4 - 11:22 pm

  Love the car, great fun to drive...until the air-conditioning went....has been worked on 15 times, still blowing hot today....have changed every piece in he air....nothing works. cant breathe,,,,,it is HOT,,,, I live in FLorida.....HeLp Me

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  Great wagon - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Prime - September 4 - 1:11 pm

  Got this about a week ago. Drove it about 1000 miles in the last week. Comfortable and quiet. Nav system a dream for my wife who cant read a map. Problem with tire pressure system errors. Dealer to look at tomorrow. Otherwise no problems.

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  What a car....... - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By susan - September 3 - 7:57 pm

  this car handles like a dream and is so much fun to drive.. classy and fun a great combination...