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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  Sebring Convertible - 2000 Chrysler Sebring
  By Matrixfin - November 27 - 2:00 am

  The car is comfortable. Has a great sound system. But needs some acceleration.

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  Different from the rest! - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By BJ - November 26 - 6:23 pm

  I have owned this great car for 3 months. At first I had some concern about gas mileage and figured I had bought power and it would cost me. REcent 600 mile trip with AC on and Interstate travel at 65-75 mph averaged 23 mpg which included about 2 hours of city driving. 100% interstate yields about 25 mpg. Fun to drive and it gets the looks and thumbs up!

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  This suv is the best thing - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By L boogie - November 25 - 12:03 pm

  not sure why reviews down the pacifica its great get 23 on average mile per gal. it drives like a top notch car mercedes. this is great people who complain must not keep up maint. anything will break if you dont do maint. on time. also consider driving conditions as well. if you drive like a race car driver you put the engine under stress its not designed for. its an suv guys not a honda accord.

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  Satisfied Senior Citizen Owner - 1994 Chrysler Concorde
  By Robert324 - November 21 - 2:00 am

  Mom traded her Olds 98 for this car after Dad died. She likes the smaller car size and ease of parking, handling, etc. Very comfortable "road car". Maintenance has been minimal. (Had to replace hood "cylinders".) Very fuel efficient, but plenty of power on highway for Mom.

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  Great car! - 1999 Chrysler Concorde
  By Megolfer - November 20 - 2:00 am

  Have loved the looks and ride of this car since I bought it. Was looking for a second car to go to work with and this has now become my primary car.

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  Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By wannie - November 20 - 2:00 am

  I love it. I love it. I love it. Now repeat after me. I love it. I love it. I love it.

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  Bringing Back The Fun - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By nhrapt - November 19 - 8:13 pm

  This car brings back the fun of driving for me an my family, cruisin just like we used too.The only thing Ive added so far is sirius radio, for those long cruises, I wouldnt trade car for any other new car.

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  Love this car! - 2014 Chrysler 300
  By Robert Traina - November 18 - 9:04 pm

  This car is gorgeous, inside and out. The interior is supremely comfortable, and the technology/infotainment system cannot be beat. Super smooth, and good acceleration for a six cylinder car. Excellent gas mileage for a 4000 pound car of 31 MPG highway, 25 city! This car is a pleasure to drive.

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  i love my pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By jbarb - November 18 - 10:00 am

  it is a well designed vehicle. perfect for a short woman with kids and a dog, very luxurious feel inside, handles well for a big car. feels very safe. love it!

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  JDS PT CRUISE - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By jds pt cruiser - November 18 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE MY CRUISER I GET GREAT GAS MILEGE NOT OVERLLY POWERFUL BUT THEN IM NOT USED TO 4-CYL. PEOPLE GIVE ALOT OF PRAISE ABOUT MINE EVERYWHERE I GO.