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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  Love my Limited - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By Bud1021 - August 5 - 2:00 am

  I have owned many different convertables and this Limited is by far the best and the most fun. I dont care for a manual transmission any more and the Auto-Stick really fills the bill when I want to bring back the old shifting days. It has great response and reminds me of my old Hurst side shifter I installed in my old 56 Chevy.

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  best car Ill ever drive - 2001 Chrysler 300M
  By martysmarty - August 4 - 2:00 am

  After a series of ho-hum midsize Japanese sedans, we leased this car and have been satisfied customers ever since. It has awesome power and plenty of room for long trips, a perfect reliability record so far (30k+ miles), our dealer takes good care of us when we come in for scheduled maintenance, and it has more substance and style than smaller midsize Japanese sedans that cost more. Unfortunately, our next car is a minvan, but at least Ill have fond memories of driving this great car.

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  Fantastic - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By NutrnlMtblc - August 2 - 2:00 am

  You will not find a better car than this for <$30,000 (new)

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  There is lots to like about this van! - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Diana Roderick - July 31 - 5:18 pm

  Design and functionality of the Pacifica is well thought out!

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  excellent - 1995 Chrysler Concorde
  By Pat Parkhurst - July 31 - 2:00 am

  I have enjoyed driving this vehicle.

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  solid performer - 1998 Chrysler Concorde
  By sber - July 31 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned this car for more than five years. Very dependable good overall performance great styling and surprisingly decent mileage. Low repair bills so far

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  Cruiser Crusin - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Mr Ed - July 31 - 2:00 am

  I bought the PT Cruiser cause it was comfortable and the looks of the car was awesome. After taking the car on several trips and racking up 32300 miles in the first year of ownership Im ready to buy my 2nd one. The Cruiser still has alot of get up and go and has taken some 6 cylinder cars a time or two....Still Cruisin with the Cruiser and will for a long time.

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  Great Safe, Sporty, Family Vehicle - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By mhm04649 - July 31 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I are very pleased with our purchase. We find that the Pacifca fills all of our needs. Its got the sporty look, the room of an SUV, and the safety to rival a Volvo (if possible). I am a large man (64", 275 lbs) and I fit comfortably. It drives very well for its size and has some amazing features. The ride is very comfortable. All the back seats fold down to form one continuous flat cargo area. We love it!

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  Great car for the dough! - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By msticks - July 30 - 10:00 am

  I actually traded down from a 300M to my new Sebring LXi Sedan in Inferno Red. Yes I got every possible option, but this car still listed for $6,000 less than the 300M and quite frankly rides better, performs about the same, and gets much better mileage. The thing that amazes me is that this car feels more stable on the highway, is more surefooted in inclement weather and provides ALMOST as many amenities as the 300M at a much lower price. I honestly cant understand why anyone would pay more for an intermediate 4 door sedan. This is really a great car.

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  Very Good - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By LRW - July 30 - 10:00 am

  We love the car. My wife drove a Jeep Grand Cherokee until we bought this car. Now, the Sebring is "hers." We have had no problems with it and it handles very well. My only suggestion is about one more inch headroom up front. Also, there seems to be a humm that the dealer says is normal (not bad though). Otherwise, we plan on buying another in a year or two.