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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  $35,000 Mercedes-Benz E-class? - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Tennisman05 - December 19 - 10:00 am

  Competing against cars such as V8 luxury cars but priced at rides such as V6 "upscales" DaimlerChrysler has finally decided to get their feet wet, but the 300C is best-in-class whether "class" be measured by price or statistics IT wins them both! The 300C drives and handles with agility and with silence; the engine has an incredible "purr" at 340-hp with the HEMI. USAToday rates it as "only a bumpy ride away from perfect;" it stands at the top with Lexus! Doors shut with a "vault-like" sound and the ride is perfect. The car is 20% Mercedes- Benz (on value) but it is more!

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  Pacifica: An All round Winner - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By ORCA10 - December 19 - 2:00 am

  We were looking for a replacement of a 9 year minivan, and wanted something completely different. For our family of four, the PacificasÂ’ combination of AWD, six passenger seating, and long list of available options made it a clear choice. Our loaded wagon has everything we need, handles well, excellent safety record, and versatility. On top of all that, it is a great looking vehicle that has consistently gotten compliments.

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  WOW its nice - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By GaveitaA - December 19 - 2:00 am

  Ride is great. For a AWD it rides like a car. I test drove some AWD and my back hurt in ten minutes, this I can drive for hours. The car has been perfect quality wise. Being 6.3 tall having a car I fit in is nice, having one an adult can sit behind me is even better. I drive this every day on a dirt road and it did great in the snow, even before the plows got there.

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  Satisfying Experience - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By JR Ero - December 19 - 2:00 am

  The Convertible PTs main strength is its flashy looks and its distinctive interior/exterior design. Fun to drive with the turbo spririted acceleration and smoothness. The layout of the dash and its stylish body give the car character. The backseat are roomy enough to accommodate two adults in comfort. Top is easy to open and close. Safety bar looks very cool. The PT is definitely worth the price.

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  40,000 miles and still going strong - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By KT - December 17 - 12:36 pm

  We have owned our Pacifica for 2 years now. When we bought it, things like the safety features greatly influenced our decision. Now, 2 years later we are still very happy with the car. The issues mentioned by others such as the less than stellar gas mileage (19 average), the difficulty getting into the third row, and the transmission acting like a gear is missing between 1 and 2 are all things that we experience. My son loves to watch his dvds while we travel and it certainly makes the trip easier on everyone. Since we only have 2 children, getting into the 3rd row is not a problem, we dont use it very often. The car is comfortable, safe and nice handling.

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  New SRT 8 - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By John - December 16 - 1:13 am

  I have a SRT 8 with 800 miles on it at this time. So far it is every thing I had hoped it would be. the gas mileage is still a bit suspect, but with 425 horses what can one expect? The handling, ride, and performance are outstanding; so much so I am having second thoughts about taking it to 500 horses! I have yet to really push the car, and it may be awhile as there are precious few places one can really get on it.

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  Happy on Long Island - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Nancy R - December 15 - 2:13 am

  I just purchased the 300 Limited. It took me about 6 months to decide between a Cadillac or Chrysler, well as you see I picked the Chrysler and I am loving it. The ride is excellent. The body looks like I paid 50,000 or better. I have also taken it back to be serviced for a sensor and even there I was very pleased on the service. Keep it up Chrysler.

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  Bang for you Buck!! - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By Jeff Miller - December 15 - 2:00 am

  I love my 300m. It is really fun to drive, and the motor-awesome V8 power from a V6. I had a trans am before this and this car is just as fun to drive. Although there is a fair amount of wind noise, the new 300ms have changed the brand of tires. Minor build quality problems, but other than that it has been 100% reliable. Definately buy another one!! Cant wait until the 300n!!!!

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  PROWLER REVIEW - 2002 Chrysler Prowler
  By Sim SIngh - December 14 - 2:00 am

  THe prowler is the best car in the world. EVERy one should have one. It is a tribute to all hotrods.

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  PT - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Michele - December 14 - 2:00 am

  Great vehicle in a small package. Easy to enter and exit (even with a bad knee). Great acceleration, this car makes us smile.