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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  loooong term review from original owner - 1999 Chrysler Cirrus
  By Steve - June 14 - 12:02 pm

  Bought the car new (1999). Still running well 10 years later with just under 77K miles. Only non-routine maintenance need was a glitch with the electronics for the automatic trans at around 30K miles. Trouble-free since. The 2.5 liter V6 engine is a winner - great mid-range torque for highway merging and passing, still gets great fuel economy in mid-20s mpg in mixed highway and city driving. Paint has held up remarkably well. Leather interior has held up well. Sunroof still works great. See no reason I wont be driving it another 2-3 years. If Chrylser had built all their models this well, the company would be in a lot better shape!

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  The best safety rating - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By kc from washington - June 13 - 7:50 am

  I got one of the last 2005 PTs in the area. I didnt intend on buying the Limited Edition but glad I did. My insurance gave it the best safety rating they offer. Costs me less than my Suzuki Vitara (worth half the value). I love the way it handles; drives very sporty. I live in the country and it handles great on the many curves and inclines. Wish the gas mileage was better, but its worth it.

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  Too Bad - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By SharonRanae - June 8 - 12:38 am

  I purchased my Pacifica used in Feb 09 with less than 60K miles. It is a super comfortable and roomy car. I like the way it handles & love the captains seats in the 1st & 2nd row & that there are vents in every row. Less than 20 days later it needs a motor mount broke. Took it back for the repair to find the part is on forever back order. I found one due to my own persistance. It is now June (not even 4 months since I bought the car) and it needs ANOTHER new motor mount, new tie-rods, sway arm bushings, blah blah! I havent had it 6 months and I am trading it in. Its too bad it has so many problems, I would love it! But I cant afford to rent a car every other month for weeks on end.

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  $36,000 and you have to pay extra for navigation!! - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Brad - June 6 - 9:40 pm

  Be aware that you will not get navigation unless you purchase the Touring L Plus and add the navigation package. Any lower package with the 8.4 inch radio requires a dealer install and additional cost of $600 and no free map updates. Yes the vehicle is nice but come on!! I have friends who have navigation on their $15,000 dollar cars and it was included!!! Chryslers response to me is they will put it under review so I am putting it on reviews. Honestly right now I would say dont buy anything from Chrysler.

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  Car did not make me a Chrysler fan - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By msmarvel - June 5 - 3:00 pm

  Bought this car after my then 7 year old Camaro Z28 cost me $1000 in repairs over 2 months. The car had been leased andhad 28,000 miles on it. Had issues from the start, the same thing would break over and over (blower for the fan for heat/AC, rear defrost, airbag light). I cant go 5 months without taking it to the shop (form day 1). Got a new transmission as well. Now it has 175,000 on it, and it still starts up right away, but the airbag light is on again. Car left me stranded twice cause it blew fuses because of crazy wiring. Roof leaks only on the drivers side in 2 places. Fun to drive. Motors for the top are still fine. But not a quality, reliable car.

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  This Car is Maintenance Free - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By ChrisBrig - June 3 - 7:27 pm

  I purchased my Sebring in May of 2006, and I have changed the oil religously, added new tires, and had the brakes serviced. That is it. I have not had any service issues, and this car has never left me stranded on the side of the road. This car is reliable.

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  Hardtop convertible - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By Michell - June 2 - 4:25 pm

  I have the hardtop convertible, and its so easy to use - whether you drop the top with the button on the dash, or remotely on the keyfob. I love the navigation, and the jukebox style radio - its great to be able to burn all my CDs to the cars hard drive and not have to load CDs all the time. Great USB plug-in. Love the trunk room. It has enough space to hold 2 golf bags with the top down - awesome! Seats are comforable, and front ones are heated - they heat up within 2 minutes! A/C works well. Car handles well, though not as well as some German cars.

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  06 300 Limited 3.5 - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By carhopper - June 2 - 1:24 pm

  In my opinion Chrysler does not deserve the "poor vehicle quality" reputation everyone seems to know them by. I purchased my 300 as a one year old used car with 23k existing miles on it. I have owned the car for nearly two years now and the odometer currently reads 63000. I have never had to bring this car into the shop for any repair work of any type. Nothing has ever broken. It alway starts and gets me where I need to go. The brakes are original and still have life left.

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  the hare beat my turtle - 1994 Chrysler Concorde
  By stuart - May 31 - 4:52 pm

  its ok when its on a full tank,you have to constanly check the tranny fluid to make sure its ok otherwise shell only ride in first gear i used lucas tranny fix ive had no problems with it my other complain is the car has no giddy up and go. i used to think chrysler built damn good cars.i need to change my way of thinking. i bought the car used.joke is on me.

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  215000 and still going strong - 2001 Chrysler LHS
  By Deb - May 29 - 7:41 am

  This is the best car Ive ever owned.