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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  Review - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By HJ - July 29 - 9:13 am

  Very dependable vehicle. good fuel mileage. Low maintenance cost. Average sound system with good knob placement

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  love it - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By tomkat - July 29 - 2:30 am

  Have driven this vehicle about 5,000 miles so far and couldnt be more pleased. Comfortable ride, excellent handling and good milage for size and weight of the vehicle (23 mpg average so far).

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  Average Guys Performance Sedan - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By Ryan - July 28 - 11:31 pm

  From its introduction in 1999, Ive been in love with the 300M. I bought a 2002 model used. The styling is aggressive but not cluttered. Interior space is larger than expected, and the leather seats are very comfortable. Good support under the thighs, which is usually a big problem for me. Instrumentation is classy and simple. The engine provides a lot of power, and has a great growl at high RPMs. My 300M is a lot of fun to drive, as it hugs the road more like a sports car than a 4-door sedan. Steering is precise with a good feel for the road. There is an unbelievable amount of space in the trunk--larger than my old 95 Concorde! Managed to get 27 mpg on a road trip. I love this car!

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  SRT6 - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By sean - July 28 - 12:02 pm

  Wicked on the track Acceleration great at any speed. Lots of attention on the road

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  Cirrus Had Its Good and Bad Points - 2000 Chrysler Cirrus
  By SheRuss - July 27 - 11:43 pm

  The ball joints all had to be replaced, both tie rod ends, both front struts, rotors and pads, rack and pinion, drivers window regulator. But especially, hood rusted through at leading edge (saw this on many others). This all before 65,000. Was good car but had a high maintennce front end (and ignition - wires and plugs). Was garaged and driven normally. Had the 98 Breeze before - same problems but it leaked oil by 30,000 miles to the tune of 1 quart a week. Am glad they stopped making it so I wont buy another. My brother had similar problems with his, plus the notorious front wheel bearing problems.

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  One major problem - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Robert - July 27 - 1:57 pm

  Overall a great car to drive, my major complaint is the dash board electronics, after 3 years the complete dash board would not function, had to be replaced, lucky I had warranty. I have the 7.7 which has much power for this car, if you love sports cars, this is the car for you.

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  2004 CHRYSLER PACIFICA - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By JOE MAV - July 27 - 10:00 am

  car is alot of fun to drive. we drive the texas hill country and it really hugs the curves, is quiet.car like ride. shifts like a standard.once you learn the controls, all the buttons and dials you can adjust with very little distraction. excellent exterior/interior lighting. 300m engine has good power.(other reviews say it doesnt)you can see the german marriage to chrysler starting to pay off.

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  EW - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By pacifica - July 27 - 7:18 am

  This has to be the worst car I have ever leased. I had 2 years and I had to replace to axle gear box and battery.

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  I love my Sebring! - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By krissy - July 27 - 1:46 am

  This is the first car I have owned that I totally love. It is great on gas, comfortable and it looks great! When my son turns 16 he is going to take this one and I will probably buy myself another....I love my sebring!

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  First Class - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Clifton Rhodes - July 26 - 11:28 pm

  The only problem i had was that Chrysler didnt put the right tirer on the hemi. When these cars came out we had to purchase them with out own money. There should have been a recall and also on the air bag part that eventually short circuited and cost over $600.00. Beside that this is an excellent care i really enjoy my car.