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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  2016 Chrysler 300s - 2016 Chrysler 300
  By Craig Zimmerman - May 24 - 6:36 pm

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  Crossover - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By TwelfthNight - May 23 - 10:00 am

  The Chrysler Pacifica provides a smooth ride. The suspension is amazing going over speed bumps and street driving. The electronic features are well designed and the instrument panel is classic and easy to read. The Pacifica corners well and is fun to drive.

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  PT GT FUN - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By iggy289 - May 23 - 10:00 am

  Fun to drive, easy to customize. The turbo is the way to go!

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  Best Car I Ever Owned - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By gloryajean - May 23 - 10:00 am

  I have wanted a PT Cruiser ever since they came out. I just love this car and would love to own the convertible or the new truck. Its a fun car to drive and the roomiest I have ever owned.

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  My Pacifica - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By john morrison - May 23 - 10:00 am

  I think it uses too much gas but is very comfortable to drive and sitting. Very stury and heavy car. Needs more power though.

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  Excellent car! - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By PT Lover - May 23 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE this car! All I want to do is drive! This is the most fun Ive had with a car in a long time.Trunk space is a problem, but thats a small price to pay for so much fun. The 5 speed handles great.

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  Looks nice, runs great, but - 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By aggie - May 23 - 2:06 am

  The car runs great, handles well, nice and roomy. There is a squeaking noise going over bumps that sounds like it hasnt been lubed. I like it very much. Its versatle and fun to drive. Makes you want to get in it and go cruising except I cant because the headlights randomly flicker. This ranges from mild to severe with severe being when the dash lights flicker too and then they both blip out and then back on again. Ive had it to two different dealers who cant find a thing wrong wth it so I guess it must be posessed. I wouldnt buy another one of these. I hope someone can finally fix it so I can enjoy it without worry.

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  Better than my Porsches - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By jps - May 21 - 7:50 am

  Believe it, I have owned three Porsche 911s and this Crossfire has garnered more looks, great questions,and more enthusiasm than any car I have previously driven. Even in car crazy Los Angeles. The build quality from the Karmann works is excellent. The driving experience is just right and the kids and grownups keep staring.

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  Like a dream! - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By like a dream - May 20 - 11:39 pm

  This has been the best car I have ever owned. It has been wonderfully reliable and I love driving it. I am only sorry they stopped making it or I would buy another.

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  8 way power seats, passenger side - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By jchialiva - May 20 - 6:24 pm

  only comfort disappointment. 8way power seat was not even offered as an option for passenger in 2005. manual recliner only. they were standard in 2006. my three prior chryslers had them as standard equiptment. it is not that they were unfarmiliar with the tecnology. if my primary objective had not been the hemi,i would have passed on the car. of course we all understand that telling a customer that it will be available next year is not good sales technich. my three prior chrysler were purchased from chrysler corporation and this was from daimler-chrysler. that could account for the difference in philosphy.