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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  Jivedoggys 2002 PT Review - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By jivedoggy - July 2 - 8:20 am

  I love my PT Cruiser! 2002 Limited Edition with 4A trans. Even with the automatic, its quite peppy and fun to drive. The only bummer about my PT is the crappy gas mileage. I ran out of gas in Pasadena at 273 miles (for those with poor math skills, thats about 17 miles to the gallon)! I have yet to get over 20 mpg and Ive been watching my foot.

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  Excellent BUT! - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Chowguy - June 28 - 7:29 am

  Car now has 42,000 miles. Thus far Im pleased except for the following issues. Have replaced 3 batteries. They just go dead in the garage. No reason that I can see. Have replaced the backup sensor utility which was under warranty thank goodness. Car is fun to drive but does have some "blindspots" you need to be careful with. The battery issues is a puzzling one that just nags at me.

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  excellent car - 2009 Chrysler 300
  By Jim - June 27 - 9:46 am

  I traded in my 2007 SRT Design for a 09 300c SRT8 (wish I would have purchased the SRT8 to start with) the 07 was nice but the performance increase with the 6.1 Hemi is amazing. Even at 4000+ pounds this car performs! And the looks, well, I see guys driving Mercedes checking my car out while driving down the road or at stop lights. Anyone looking for a incredibly fun car to drive and one that will get you looks from everyone else, the 300C is the car, go with SRT8 if you can afford it.

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  Rented For Vacation - 2009 Chrysler Aspen
  By bullrun - June 26 - 6:45 pm

  Went from Colorado to Texas and back. Smooth Ride. Avg MPG 21. Hwy 23, City 19. Front Seats a bit uncomfortable for 3k mile round trip. Seat configuraton was nice. Lots of room for luggage and people. Drove through wind and rain.. No Problems. Headlights were outstanding. Steering in wind was no problem with one hand. Hugs road very well. Nice acceleration. Brakes were on the money. A/C worked brilliantly in 105 degree Texas heat. Middle row seating could use 2 or 3 more inches for leg room. Driving visibility was excellent. Blind spots are minimal. Rear camera was a bit blurry, but sensors worked well.

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  Great Car - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By beachbumx - June 26 - 6:29 pm

  So far this car has been great. Average 24 mpg. Pleanty of room for my 6 4 frame.Plenty of looks when top is down. Top is a whiz to operate. Fun Car to drive. Love its Radio and controls.

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  Great Car - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By evansvte - June 25 - 10:00 am

  It will pass anything on the road but a gas station, but it is fun to drive.

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  fun car-some design issues - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By puddlejumper04 - June 24 - 4:16 am

  for a small car with a short nose one of the worst cars to make a u turn with,needs a city block!!! I had engine mounts replaced at 38,00 now at 60,000 find out they are gone again. $400.00. Had some leaks in my d/w took it to the dealer found out leaking from rack and pinon which had to be replaced and solenoid which had to be replaced. I had the extended warranty as my car only came with 3/36. Cost me 300.00 with deductive,front end alignment and power steering flush. Trouble with the a/c 2x the warranty covered less deductible. The car had 6,000 miles on it and had never been titled used as a demo? Cheated out of 1 year warranty backdated

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  my crossfire - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By crossfire roadster - June 23 - 1:33 pm

  The crossfire is very enjoyable to drive. yes it could use more low end torque. the seats could be a little more comfortable. The car is very responsive while driving. the problem i have found is that it is so new that even the dealership cannot service it correctly. they have not figured out the computer download to some of the features.

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  It just couldnt take it anymore - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By hawkybaby - June 21 - 1:30 pm

  Dont get me wrong, I loved my Cruiser. I really did. The body, the interior, the functionality and versatility ... they were top-notch! The problem lied in long-term reliability. I drive around A LOT -- full time job, 3 kids, family living far away. I spend a lot of time in the car and on the road. It couldnt keep up with me. After 78,000 miles, I was burning oil like gas, the shocks went, there was an electrical problem causing 1/2 the car to go dark, the transmission slipped going into 2nd gear and she creaked worse than my grandmother did! I had already spent over $500 replacing the radiator, and decided to let her go.

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  Love this car - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By BenT - June 17 - 11:07 pm

  Ive enjoyed this car for a long time now. Handling is good, decent power, great comfort. Interior is very tastefully done. Ive had pretty good luck on reliability as well. There is no doubt that I would buy this all over again.