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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  Fun Car - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By Frank Shanower - March 18 - 12:17 pm

  Bought ona and love it. It is our second car and we now fight for who gets to drive it. FDS

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  what a experience - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By D. vandermolen - March 18 - 9:50 am

  when i was younger my dad own a use car lot in 60 -80 i had a chance to drive many fast cars but none ever had the total package going for it with handling, performance and fantastic good looks.you will get get everbody looking at this car from young and old, to men and women.

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  Wow. Feel of SUV with 20inch tires. - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Donna Geslak - March 18 - 9:40 am

  It is the first car with the sportyness of an suv and the comfort of a mininvan. Room for everyone and everything. 20 inch wheels a must. Only thing that black interior color shows dirt too much, but 2 tone interior of mocha brown and black with light inside top really make the car feel roomy and regal. Classic car with a very expensive feel. Great alternative to Escalade. Better riding views everywhere in car, more comfortable inside without feeling that you are driving a boat. Pacifica handles beautifully and almost half the price of the Escalade. Would recommend to anyone. Get the glass top too. Wonderful driving experience. Just wish it was less expensive so that everyone could enjoy the ride with all the bells and whistles without the high price tag. Lastly it is a very understated car. I like that because people wont think to steal it first like a BMW or Mercedes, but on the inside it is loaded with luxury.

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  Cool Vanilla GT - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By wayne - March 17 - 9:30 pm

  This is a fun car to drive and with the turbo it will really get going. Two major gripes that I have is one, the blind spots are insane on this vehical and two, the cup holders will only hold a standard size can or bottle. If you drink fountain drinks that have cups that are larger than average like a big gulp you are out of luck. Other than that the car runs and drives great in my opinion. One other thing, if you smoke dont forget to bring your own ash tray, because it is not equipped with one.

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  PTC Owner for Life!!! - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By PAC for PTC - March 17 - 4:56 pm

  I love almost all aspects of my PT. My only negative is gas mileage and I miss gas tank on drivers side. I drive mostly city but feel the gas issue could be greatly improved on. As for the window controls, they arent clunky, it just takes time to get used to reaching for the middle dash. Handles like a dream, great on quick maneuvering. Drove a mini-van for 20 years and am pleased with the cargo versatility. Visibility is really nice as seating is higher than in a comparable small vehicle, Seat height makes it very easy to get in and out of. Love the fun styling. Id miss the towel bar as I have it decorated!!! Very easy to hand wash. Next goal: Limited Edition - Loaded - Cant wait!!

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  Very nice convertible - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By Luc - March 17 - 2:31 pm

  This is my second limited sebring convertible, I had a 2000 limited and had no problem with it , just 110,000 miles on the counter and time for a change . It drives very smoothly, the engine is quicker , and noise from the road is much lower compare to the old series , this is a convertible , so expect more noise inside while driving compare to a sedan , but that is all the fun of it ....

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  Please run away from this car! - 1998 Chrysler Concorde
  By Scotch&Cigar - March 16 - 9:43 pm

  In 2006, if youre looking at a used Concord or Intrepid with the 2.7 engine, run away very fast! The engine was totally mis-designed and the interior parts dont get enough oil to keep them lubricated. My Concord had 72,000 miles on it and it just up and died. $5000 to put a rebuilt engine in it! Unheard of at 72,000 miles. Again, dont walk - RUN!

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  Too Much Plastic - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By CWT - March 15 - 2:00 am

  This could be a really great car except there is just too much plastic in it. The door handles should be metal; the side vent accents should be metal (the plastic really cheapens the looks which in turn reflects on a lack of confidence in the product); this car also needs to have a "moon roof" option. Do all this and then you will have a really great car and sales volume would go up directly!

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  I love my Sebring! - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Bill Warren - March 14 - 1:30 am

  I really like the way my Sebring handles ... a good, solid feel of the road corners really well the 4 cycl. provides more than adequate pep very good braking really like the seating ... supportive and yet comfortable ... a bit on the high side, which I prefer ... good view of the road spacious & comfortable back seat, as well only negative ... the transmission occasionally jerks when I let off to gas while accelerating.

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  Interior build quality - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By mbokel - March 13 - 11:43 pm

  I have found the engine and transmission to be excellent. I have found that the interior items - such as the dash board trim fit and finish to be less than satisfying, the ends of the dash has developed bubbles under the material - not acceptable, dealer says they all will do this due to the way the dash is made. Other than that car is a real head turner and I absolutely love all other aspects of the car.