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:

• 

  Comfy Ride - 2012 Chrysler 200
  By AnnMarie Hayes - November 12 - 12:46 am

  This Car has a great interior. Great Sound System and navigation. Some door handles poor quality. Weird transmission, Im still not used to it. Only take car to dealer to get work done. It needs Mopar parts. Most other places do not understand how to repair this car. The resale value isnt great. I believe it would be a good car to lease. But not keep long term. Overall I would give it a 3.5/5. Thanks I hope this helps.

• 

  Poor Quality - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Satish - November 4 - 11:36 am

  This is great looking car, but I am disappointed with the cheap material and poor performance/workmanship and low mileage. Front bumper is made with very thin plastic. I get only 13-15 mile/gallon. During winter time it gave starting trouble several times but the dealer fixed it after 2 visits but I am still having low mileage problem.

• 

  Frustrated with this car! - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Missy - November 2 - 11:36 pm

  First I have to say I love the look of this car (I have a convertible) and it is fun to drive BUT the problems I have had are disappointing. First the computer was bad and it had to be towed 6 times before they found it. (Thats me standing in a parking lot with a dead car that many times.) Luckily, then it was under warranty. Then the list began: the battery has exploded, the air conditioner went out and cost a thousand dollars, there is some kind of short they cant find that causes a pop and the dash to go out when Im driving. I could go on. Its sad because I love it but Im ready to punt! The amount of money Ive had to spend on this car already is ridiculous.

• 

  Questionable experience - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By michelle borzick - October 27 - 10:00 am

  The moon roof exploded and pushed the glass in small pieces up and out of the vehicle. Glass came back into the vehicle. The dealership was not concerned with safety. They were unable to understand the safety concern. A 2nd moon roof was installed. The weatherproof strip buckled in less than a day. The dealership could not explain the previous so we were concerned this buckling may create the same accident. The owner of Norco Motors Pacifica moon roof has no signs buckling. A 3rd moon roof will be installed in the vehicle. They apologize that we feel unsafe. They are sure we are not. They cannot explain why it happened.

• 

  Bad - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By gm3 - October 18 - 8:13 pm

  V4 base model. Too much engine noise on local, and wind noise on highway. Bad fuel economy. Bad goverment EPA pollution score.

• 

  Dont count on it . . . or Chrysler - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By Hoovey - October 10 - 9:14 am

  This is my first Chrysler, and it will certainly be my last. Dont get me wrong - I love the looks of the car, but looks sure arent everything. I have had problems with my Sebring since I purchased it. First it was the engine. No one ever seemed to be able to find the problem when the engine light came on every 4-6 months. Now its the paint job, which is fading fast on the top and trunk. Dont expect any help from Chrysler either. Under warranty or not, the problems are yours to fix and worry about. For a company that relies on customers, their customer service is anything but. Take my advice (as I wish I had taken from others before I bought this car) - dont buy a Chrysler!

• 

  great looks, poor return for the money - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By rizzo - October 2 - 10:00 am

  Styling is great, interior versatility best in class. BUT, engine performance worst Ive ever had, no power, poor fuel economy, poor quality fit and finish, and now Chrysler ruins the resale with incentives on new models. Last Chrysler product Ill ever own.

• 

  Fun but underpowered - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By curler1 - September 12 - 10:00 am

  I think they really engineered the interior space well. Plenty of roo both in the front and back. Like therear cargo area although cant get golf clubs tolie flat. The engine is a dog but I knew that going in. Abit noisy with road noise.

• 

  04 Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By MHCARGUY - September 8 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my Pacifica for less than two months now and so far Ive had it in the shop 5 times and going for #6. The concept behind the Pacifica is very good however the build quality on this vehicle is horrible. The drivers side floor board is always wet due to a leak that they cant seem to find. Ive also had a computer system go bad and it just went out again yesterday and now there is a clunk in the rear when you go over bumps. I couldnt pass up the lease special on this car, thats why I bought it. I cant wait until my lease is up. It fits my familys needs very well however It should be parked in my driveway all the time and not the dealership.

• 

  Reliability Cruises down Highway - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By doug koman - September 6 - 6:50 am

  gas gauge sticks at "full" then drops to below empty. Dealer says dirt in gas. First American car in 25 years; funny all those imports used same variety of gas without this problem. Clutch goes right to floor without resistance. Stranded on interstate vehicle trucked to dealer. Slave valve worked loose & dropped into transmission. First time dealer ever saw this. 25 years of imports with manual transmissions; never even had a clutch adjustment. Will not buy an American car again. This was a mistake, but thought US quality had improved. Now I cant even trade it as Chrsyler has cut the cost of 05s. Do not buy a PT cruiser.