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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  Limited model-Little disappointed - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Melissa - May 11 - 11:04 pm

  Ive had my Pacifica for now 2 weeks. I got the limited model with sunroof. First thing I notice is one of the screens on the UConnect is not working. So dealership had to order another one. The second disappointment is the noise coming from the roof. Its very loud and annoying. So I couldnt rate the noise level due to this. Come to find out this is not the only sunroof problem this dealership has found with the Pacificas. Hope they can figure out and fix this problem. I would hate to know Ive paid this much for a vehicle I cant enjoy driving due to this.

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  road report - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By commander - May 7 - 3:57 pm

  Although dealer service was good,the auto came through with defects. Electronic coupler was loose and caused malfunctions in a number of systems.. oil leak is being attended to next week.

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  Nothing But Problems - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By JeffinChicago - May 4 - 10:00 am

  Pains to me to say this - I love the car - all the features - nav system is excellent, its comfortable, etc. BUT had NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS with it - had it for 6 weeks - been in the shop 3 weeks - tons of parts replaced. Serpentine belt, horn mechanism, AC compressor. The blind spots are ridiculous - you simply cant see behind you. And the center console thing in the back seat is a joke - why is it there?

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  chrysler sebring limited convertible - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By mac - May 3 - 4:21 pm

  water gets in windows when washed with a wand. Handles very poorly around curves.Much bumpier ride than I expected for the money. Doesnt even compare to my last car in performance or comfort, that was a 2 door grand Prix 97.I have serious buyers remorse.

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  Second Sebring owner - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By JayTee - April 29 - 8:40 pm

  I use the Sebring 4 door 2.7L as a compnay vehicle. It is the second one Ive gotten. The first, a 2002 model, was traded at 75,000 miles. No problems - ever! Why does Edmunds slam the interior? Look inside a Malibu, then look in a Sebring. Ive driven both and I can say that the Malibu is built like a Yugo compared to the Sebring. The interior of the Sebring is very well screwed together and not all all cheap looking - try to say that about any GM car. Brakes are excellent!!! Torque is a bit lacking. Gotta rev it hard, till the engine sounds like its coming apart. Aside from that,Chrysler really has come a long way. I am very pleased. Chrysler, please put a powerful engine in this car

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  Disappointed - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By VADA - April 25 - 2:00 am

  I am extremely disappointed in the value that my car has held. I bought almost a top of the line care and it is already worth less than 1/2 of what I paid for it. This car was not a good investment on my part. I am also disappointed in the power. Come on for 20,000 couldnt we get a little more power??

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  Unreliable - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By soulsistar - April 19 - 4:00 am

  At first I loved my car it was everything I had been looking for! Drove it a little over and I have had to change the brakes ever 2 months. It started overheating about 3 hours away from home. Replace temperature gauge and water pump, A month later had to do it all again! This car is SOLD! Never again will I have a PT. Too many problems has about 50,000 miles. NOT reliable at all.

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  Average - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Ralph turker - April 19 - 2:00 am

  4 cyinder front wheel drive some automatics. It is quite clearly a girls car. It looks the part. That is all.

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  42 days of driving 8 days in the shop - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By Joankaz12 - April 12 - 8:04 pm

  I was given the sebring for my 20th wedding anniversary. I have been in love with it for years and finally got it. After 42 days I blew most of the electrical system. It has been at the dealer for 8 days and they can not find the problem. Right now I am not very happy.

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  Engine Failure - 2000 Chrysler Concorde
  By LarryG - March 5 - 3:06 am

  I purchased this vehicle new in December 2000. The car performed well until Feruary of 2005 when at 98,000 miles, the motor began making a noise and the oil light came on. Diagnostic tests revealed that the engine was destroyed due to oil starvation from oil sludge. The vehicle would require a replacement of the 2.7 liter engine. Faced with this option I decided to replace the car. Research over the past few weeks has revealed that the Chrysler 2.7 liter engine appears to have many problems. I would seriously recommend that anyone purchasing this vehicle type with tis motor, perform a in-depth check of the engine.