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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  03 PT CRUISER - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Phillip E. Taylor - September 3 - 4:30 pm

  At 75 miles, day after purchase, transmission required total rebuild (overdrive hub seal leaked and burned up clutches). At approx. 35k, first battery was replaced under warranty. Since then, two more batteries have been installed, most recent was less than a year old. We discovered, just after 70k, where extended warranty expired, that problem stemmed from fog light switch WONT turn off! We have hence unplugged fog lights, but indicator light on dashboard is always on. Also, transmission required another rebuild at 50k, w/$100 deductible. Also, there is a power steering fluid leak, requiring daily fill-up. Ign. key cyl. wont always turn on & column wont lock w/key removed. TIRED OF THIS!!

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  a driversdream - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By gunny - September 3 - 12:40 pm

  this is an affordable mercedes benz amg 320slk conv that would cost over 90,000, to own thank you chrysler daimler mercedes benz for making this exciting auto to drive its like a dream come true for me at least because i could never afford to own a mercedesbenz clk320 conv amg supercharged.with all the saftey features that come with it i feel very safe and comfortable in this roadster and it will last me a life time for i would never sell this auto little rocket ship i call it.its in the same family of cars costing 100,000 up in looks and performance.thank you chrysler for making this dream car.

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  Love the Pacifica but wife not interested in miniv - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Gizmo - September 3 - 6:27 am

  I love the Pacifica I think its gone a long way from the boring looking town and country. The view from the inside with the panoramic roof makes me want to go on a road trip!!! The dash looks very clean contemporary and techy- great use of space lighting and "high end" appearing monitors. Ride was smooth and quiet and everything my family needed but wife wanted anything but a minivan so being that its her car she went with the pilot which is a great choice too but for me and our family of 5 (mom dad two boys and a baby girl) our trips to Disney would have been so much more convenient and spacious with the Pacifica! Happy wife happy life. Hope this helps!

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  Pacifica--The car no one knows about!!! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By dora - September 2 - 2:00 am

  The Pacifica has been a grand touring car. I have now owned it for 6 months and have taken numerous trips and used it a great deal around town and also have moved children to college. It is easy to drive, roomy and very comfortable. All the ammenities are ideal for my driving situations. Luxury is the key word for this car. The design, styling and details are amazing. Great job Chrysler! I have spent a lot of time presenting my Pacifica to prospective buyers. I love it and am proud to show others what they are missing.

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  pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By richard - September 2 - 2:00 am

  We just got our pacifica. Tired of vans. Great styling. Extremly comfortable. Every one who sees it loves it. Im really enjoying the car. Could use 300 ponies instead of 250. Like others have said, the power is ok though. Love the german engineering.

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  Happy so far - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Tom - September 1 - 6:31 pm

  Comfort and looks sold me. Has more room for 6 passengers than my minivan. Rides very nice and above average pick-up. Cargo area with 6 passengers is small but overall it is vesatile.

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  Great Car to impress your friends with - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By Frank Smith - September 1 - 6:06 pm

  Most of my friends either have a Honda or Toyota, and they are all impressed by the quality and comfort of the car. They also like the fact it is bigger, so we can fit five much more comfortably. One thing I will say is that the V6 is lacking in low-end torque. I drove a 91 Olds before buying this car, and even though it has 40 less horses, it had better acceleration. Chrysler also needs to pay more attention to the tranny, shifts are sometimes rough.

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  Satisfied owner - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Paula - September 1 - 5:54 pm

  Fun car to drive. It rides much better than the normal suv. I like this car better than any other I have owned

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  The best kept secret - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Joni B - September 1 - 1:00 pm

  This car is a blast to drive and to look at. It turns heads every time I drive it. People dont know what it is?? I hardly ever see one on the road. The performance is very good, love the auto stick. Inside is very roomy and I do not feel right up against the other person. Loved the luggage that showed up at our door about a week later, not that I think it will all fit in the trunk. Love the auto top. Takes bumps very well. Love the big wide tires. Sharp looking car!!!

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  Convertible Fun in the Sun - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Dave D - August 31 - 9:47 pm

  This is a fun car to drive, despite a high degree of cowl shake. The leather seats are very well done, and the vinyl panels and dash look and feel high-quality, although the faux wood dash panels look a bit tacky. The white electro-luminescent instrument displays look great, especially at night. Acceleration is modest, but can be fun when using the manual feature of the auto transmission. The 2.7 liter v6 is not a barn-burner, bu fuel economy is good, about 22 mixed city driving, 28- 29 on the freeway. It is surprisingly quiet at highway speeds. Overall quality is mediocre. Repairs were required for the tops raise/lower system, passenger door window mechanism, engine stalling at start.