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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  A real surprise - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Don_B - January 8 - 8:01 am

  I bought this car at the Chrysler dealership in Tupelo, MS so a road trip was in order just to get home. The ride was extremely comfortable for the 3.5 hour trip. The average gas mileage (Most of trip driven between 70~75mph) was 23.8 mpg. Second trip to In-Laws resulted in as average gas mileage of 24 mpg. This particular car came off of a Chrysler Lease and had 20,137 mile on it. The fit and finish in this car are excellent and road noise is only moderate (belief that this is due to the type of tires). Power is very good, and transmission shifts cleanly. The car came with about 90% of all options and we had the Factory DVD installed. Since we have had it, two road trips - No issues

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  Extremely Satisfied - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By Mike - January 4 - 11:57 am

  Got a very good deal on it. Love the drive. Very fuel effficient. No problems with it

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  Great Car for Value - 1996 Chrysler Cirrus
  By Chris Linkenhoker - December 30 - 9:54 pm

  I am the third owner of this vehicle and it has been great from day one. No major problems at all. Great fuel economy, large trunk, and plenty of interior room. A/C still blows ice cold, all power accessories work, and engine/transmission are great. Car has close to 150000 miles on it now and shows no sign of slowing down soon. Loved this car so much I bought an 06 Stratus and have been equally pleased, but still drive the Cirrus for my everyday car and even on long trips.

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  2009 300C AWD - 2009 Chrysler 300
  By Al - December 29 - 11:04 am

  I bought the 300 new in June of 09. I got the "cool vanilla" paint with the chrome package, and the thing is absolutely gorgeous. I average 24.8 mpg hwy, & 16.8 mpg in city driving, which is good, considering its a 5.7L with AWD. It has power to spare, to go with the good looks, and it handles well for a large, domestic car. It is not in the same class as the Europeans as far as handling is concerned, but for the thousands of dollars less your paying, Id say its a fair trade off. Im looking forward to the 2011 model with, hopefully, some tweaks in the suspension system as well as improved fuel economy.

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  Great Car - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Kacy - December 29 - 2:00 am

  This car is not only cute, but is also a great family car.

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  Luxury for a price you cant beat! - 2010 Chrysler 300
  By SupermanEmpire - December 28 - 4:25 pm

  For the money, pound for pound the Chrysler 300 cannot be beat. Luxury is a word that must be aquated with this nicely presented sedan. Its styling on both the exterior and interior leave very little to want. For your buck the 300 Touring AWD edition with the 5.7 liter engine is the best of the several purchase options. It has enough umpth for your lead foot, and leaves room in your budget to add some of the best options that Chrysler offers. If you can price any other sedan in its class with exactly the same options then give it a try...I have a feeling however that you will migrate back to a car that offers the very best in style, class and luxury. 300 is still the king of the concrete.

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  American Pride is Back! - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By R Bowman - December 24 - 6:23 pm

  I love the fact that the 300 SRT8 is a classy looking car that I can use for business, yet doubles as my dream weekend car. The performance and handling is nothing short of astounding for the price. For an everyday vehicle, it doesnt get any better than this.

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  xfire - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By aNTIGONE - December 24 - 10:00 am

  nice

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  Best on the Road - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By stew56 - December 24 - 10:00 am

  For a car this size,the way it handles, & comfort, Iam surprised that its cost is so low, but rates with the luxes & even better I treaded in a 99 VW BEETLE, & its the best deal I have ever made. I hardly feel the bumps on the road & when Iam at a stop light, next to someone who likes to blast their radio, I put up my windows, & I do not hear a thing. Thanks to Dick Hannah, I would buy another one from them, if I needed it. Passing other cars on the road, is a breeze. It just seems like you barely touch the gas pedal, & your moving.

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  Classy and Sporty! - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By cvtgreek - December 24 - 10:00 am

  A very comfortable riding car, easy to put the top up or down. Good legroom in the backseat, nice large trunk.