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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  Best value on the street - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Mark Kuntz - April 30 - 11:00 pm

  This car is by far the best value on the road today in the luxury class. It quietly floats down the highway at 85 MPH, get a radar detector, youll need it. Unless you live in Colorado or like area, dont bother getting the AWD. I live in Northern Illinois and have the standard Traction Control and Electronic Stability Program and it is all you need. I was amazed during the first snow storm I drove in. Styling is unique and eye catching, get use to alot of long stares as you drive by other cars. If youre considering a Lexus LS 430, any Lincoln, Infinity M45 or S class Mercedes, do yourself a favor, and test drive the 300C. Youll end up saving $15,000 or more.

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  Love the PT but want more reliability - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By jp - April 30 - 9:50 pm

  I loved the PT from the moment I saw it and bought one despite concerns about buying a Chrysler. Overall, I like the car but its reliability isnt what I want. The 1st 2 years were great, but then one little thing after another started going wrong.First the headlights wouldnt turn off-had to get the car jump started and take it in to the shop. Then the horn wouldnt work. Then it started overheating-had to get the car towed in 2 times for that. Then the brake lights wouldnt work-got them fixed 3 separate times. Replaced battery several times, replaced brakes. If it werent for these annoyances I would never buy another type of car-I absolutely love the ride, the look, the comfort,the room.

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  Love our Town&Country. Dissapointed by Pacifica. - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By LoveTown&Country - April 30 - 10:38 am

  We have a 2008 Chrysler Town&Country that we love; but we were wanting a new van, and so we went to test drive the Pacifica with the full intent to buy it. But we were extremely disappointed. When they re-designed the van, the designers clearly did not take into account that most people driving vans have families of more than two children (the whole reason to buy a van). While the Town&Country had 2 DVD screens, giving you the option for the third row to watch DVDs without the second row having to see it ( a great feature when you drive other adults in the car); the new Pacifica ignores the third-row-passengers completely. In the Pacifica, there are fantastic in-seat screens for the second row (they are installed on the back of the first row seats), but these screens cannot be seen from the back row when the 8th seat is installed. Which means that if you have any kids in the last row, they do not have the option to watch DVDs. Which seems a huge design-flaw as I know many families whose kids sit in that last row. We presumed that it would be possible to install these in-seat screens for the third row, an obvious fix, but our salesman informed us that that was not possible. So no DVD watching for the passengers in the third row. Meanwhile, if you decide to go sit in that last row, you quickly realize that the headrests are tilted forward at a sharp angle, which was very uncomfortable for an adult. And they are not adjustable. When we inquired about this, the salesperson told us these seats were meant for children, not adults (so they did want children sitting in that row, just not ones that would want to be entertained by the DVD system). But here is were you run into a bigger problem. Children grow. They do not remain tiny forever. Our oldest just turned 15, and he is 59. Still a child, but too tall for the back row of this minivan, according to our salesperson. Thus, he would have to sit in the middle row, leaving our younger children sitting in the back, whining about the unfairness of the screen situation (and no, you cannot have adjustable headrests installed in that last row). So, while we were really excited about the possibilities of this new van, if you have more than 2 children, the Town&Country was a much better model.

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  2000 300M - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By Alan - April 27 - 6:28 pm

  I bought this car used almost 3 years ago and have only had to replace the spark plugs and front brake pads. The car is very reliable. I recently got 32MPG on a trip. I love the cars styling and comfort and plenty of power when you need it.

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  Our newest PT Cruiser - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By D.G.J. - April 27 - 6:10 pm

  This is our familys fourth PT Cruiser, a black 05 Limited with the "woody" treatment. We still have two PT Cruisers, an 04 plum (the wifes) and an 03 patriot blue standard shift (belonging to my business) - both of them basic models. We love this car, not only for its classic "retro" look, but because it is extremely comfortable to drive and functional. All are a joy to drive. We took our 05 on an 8,600 trip around the country in July-August 2005 with absolutely no problems (in fact, no problems in the total of 19,000 miles now on the odometer). I just hope the are still making the PT Cruiser when its time to trade in the 03 - but that wont be for a while.

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  Way to go chryler - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By GH - April 26 - 2:00 am

  I belive that the Pacifica is the perfect car for the family with kids older than 4. It has the room of a van, but a look and handling of a car. The way they brought together the easy or use and high dollar look is a great sign for Chrysler..Way to go!

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  Thrilled that I bought it! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By CharlieinNJ - April 26 - 2:00 am

  After purchasing my 2002 Acura MDX, I remember seeing an artists rendering of the 2004 Pacifica. It was love at first sight! I said, "If it looks as good on the inside as it looks on the outside, when it comes time to trade in my Acura, Ill certainly be visiting my local Chrysler dealership". I now have a Pacifica. Let me tell you, I LOVE IT! People have remarked they wish it had more horsepower....I just dont find that to be the case. Overall, I find this vehicle to be an amazing home run by Chrysler. I have no regrets buying it, whatsoever. Ill take my Pacifica with an extra $10,000 still in my pocket over buying another Acura MDX, ANYDAY!

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  Just OK... - 1998 Chrysler Sebring
  By Chris - April 25 - 3:18 pm

  I have been happy with this car mechanically....but....too low in front, bad turning radius, rattles in glovebox and sunroof, exterior cladding fell off, stiff ride(but enjoyable). I have owned it since new. I would not buy another one. It has been an OK car and decently good looking. The cab forward design was interesting for looks but practical it is not. The newer models dont look as good, and the redesign doesnt even look promising. I wont recommend this car used unless you plan on adding a lot of aftermarket styling and equipment...should be cheap. It isnt even worth what edmunds or bluebook says it is worth.

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  Not bad for the price - 2000 Chrysler Sebring
  By cheyenne447 - April 25 - 11:33 am

  I had a few bugs that had to be worked out when I first bought the car. Thank goodness it was under warranty. I have had numerous problems with the rear defroster...the wire connectors keep coming undone. The top leaks, but the car is six years old now. I also had a problem with the transmission at 16,000 miles, but it was fixed quickly under warranty. All in all...you cant find a better convertible for the price.

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  Pacifica - Touring - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By DeeB - April 24 - 10:50 pm

  We were attracted to this vehicle because of its beauty. However, from the drivers seat, I could not reach out the window comfortably without undoing my seatbelt. The front is so compact, purses, bags, etc. are literally under your legs. I had trouble juding distance from not being able to see over the dash very well. The back row was general kept down for storage. However, if we suddenly needed space for another passenger, we had to unpack and lift the seats, which was very awkward. My daughter could not rest on long trips, because the seat would not recline all the way to sleep because of the back row being laid down for luggage.