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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  I love it! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Bobbi - June 19 - 2:00 am

  We wanted an all wheel drive vehicle with room for at least 6. When we started looking, we were really turned off by the truck based SUVs. They drove like trucks and were incredibly plain on the inside. The Pacifica handles like a car. It rides like a car. The interior is gorgeous. It is the perfect mix of luxury car and SUV. We have every option except the hands-free phone, and yet it wasnt anymore expensive than a Ford Explorer. We had also looked at the Acura MDX, but when we added in all the options we wanted, the MDX got really pricey. Besides, the Pacifica had much better pick up than the MDX.

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  Mellifluous! - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Brouhahaataja - June 17 - 2:00 am

  Mellifluous means "smooth and sweet, like honey." Thats this car. I got it a couple days ago and it has been an absolute joyance. The amount of features is incredible, the most important being the nice ride. Bumps that used to torture my old cars are all but forgotten in this one (I mean, you feel them, but you dont FEEL them). Yes, it has its negatives--a light weight that makes me question its winter fortitude, and 20-25 mpg is a lot less than what Im used to--but I kept my old car for those things. Overall, though, its a great car. Granted, I havent had it very long--but if anything goes awry, Ill be sure to write back!

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  Great Car - 1999 Chrysler Concorde
  By mjsais - June 13 - 2:00 am

  This car has been great. Its only problem was the driver (small front-end collission). Mechanicaly everything has performed very well. Comfort is great. Looks are excellent. Noise is a little higher since I added a K&N air filter. Brake pedal is a little soft, would love to get a little more resistance when pressed. Overall, the car is everything that I wanted. I dont understand why JPPower rates this car average.

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  Awesome value for a TRUE sport sedan - 2003 Chrysler 300M
  By Stef - June 12 - 2:00 am

  This is an oddball car, but in a terrific way. At first, I found it somewhat disconcerting to drive such a big, American car that truly handles like a smaller, imported sport sedan. But this unusual combination (especially at this price) makes for a unique driving experience that captures quality sport performance, great comfort/space, in a design that is surprisingly both classic and hot rod. An oddball indeed, but the probably the best value out there for a car that really does capture so many elements, I find it highly satisfying.

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  Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Dave Hess - June 12 - 2:00 am

  We love the comfert and ride, . It drives like a car , but has the room of a SUV, its a great vehicle, It has a DVD player in it and the sound is great ! Gas milage is great, a lot better than the Expidition we hadI would tell anyone to try it ! It also has a Great Rebate and Chrysler dealers are agressive to do business to sell one so they get on the road as they are new.

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  Awesome!!!! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By KarenNC - June 12 - 2:00 am

  I love this car. It handles very well and is a delight to drive. The navigation system is in a perfect spot. Easy to see and still pay attention to the road.

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  This is one hot vehicle - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Jenn - June 11 - 6:03 pm

  I leased a Walter P. Signature Series Pacifica a couple of weeks ago. I took it home to show my husband over the weekend, and by Monday morning we owned the vehicle. We got the sunset bronze colored exterior, with two toned leather heated seats (which my husband said he would never own, but now absolutely loves them). I love having the Navigation system and the rear DVD player for our long trips we take every year. I should say that it will be hard to give this vehicle up at the end of the lease.

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  This is one FINE vehicle. - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Dana Parshall - June 11 - 12:36 pm

  This car is the one you want to drive. It handles like a luxury vehicle. It feels like a luxury vehicle. And yes, it looks better than any other luxury vehicle on the road. The inside of the cockpit is ultra roomy. The leather seats are the most comfortable I have been in. The V6 has as much power as Ill ever need - it will knock you back in your seat easily. If there is one weakness, the brakes seem to lag a little but then again this is a large luxury vehicle and Im not used to driving it! I found a demo model (4700 miles) that the dealer was willing to deal on.

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  My first Car - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By alex1_v - June 11 - 2:00 am

  Been driving this car since Sep. of 2000. Great 200HP engine that gives enough power for normal day to day driving. If put little over 47,000 mles on the car and only major mechanical problem was that I had to replace the brakes. Good sporty look and great handling. To add a little more Horse Power would recommend getting a Cold intake system for the engine.

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  Can you see? - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Mrs. J - June 8 - 10:00 am

  So far we have enjoyed our Pacifica. It has been in the shop 4 times for a defect with the anti-lock brake system, but they finally figured it out and we have not had a problem since. The car responds like a sports car, it drives very smooth, and definitely has some power.