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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  Like driving a Laz-Z-Boy - 2001 Chrysler Voyager
  By blueskies18 - October 4 - 2:00 am

  I know everyone sneers at mini-vans the way interior designers sneer at recliner chairs. But we still keep buying vans and recliners because they provide confort. Frankly, when I am on the road, I like my driving experiences to be pleasant, confortable and as stress-free as possible. Thats why I love my Chrysler Voyager. They have been working on perfecting min- vans for years and they got it right.

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  Perfect American car! - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By sirharper - October 4 - 2:00 am

  A perfect American offering. When compaired to Acura, Lexus, and Lincoln offerings this car is a no- brain decision. I have not had a single unscheduled maintance on it for any reason. I feel sorry for the lemmings that pay the extra $$$ for other supposidly better foreign offerings, their cars should have missed the boat instead of them!

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  2003 Special - 2003 Chrysler 300M
  By sjb - October 3 - 2:00 am

  I took advantage of the 0% finance after looking at alternative 30K cars...G35,Acura, and VW. This is a big car with extraordinary road manners. The handling is superb and the fit/finnish looks good. The big surprise is that the 4 CD in-dash deck was replaced by a 6 CD deck! Next year things change for the "letter" car front wheel drive is OK for me, what with the snow. I got the 17" wheels for better bad road handling. The ride is very firm, but not uncomfortable.

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  honeymobile - 1999 Chrysler Concorde
  By JKIDD - October 3 - 2:00 am

  Comfortable and reliable family car. Great mileage for commuting. 48,000 miles - mainly from long trips.

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  Nice going Chrysler! - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Shkago - October 2 - 4:42 am

  This is my 3rd Chrysler & every time I buy one, it is better than the one I traded & exceeds my expectations. I was hesitant about getting a Pacifica, but after driving it for awhile, Im very pleased with how it handles, hugs the road, great gas mileage, extremely comfortable! I have a bad back, so the cooling seats are like having an cool pack on my back...no pain any more! AND the lumbar is to die for....and both front seats have heat & cool capabilities, lumbar and power seats! Bravo Chrysler for making one fine automobile! Im glad I stuck with you....and the price beat your competitors, yet they had less options in their vehicles! Couldnt be happier! Go test drive a Pacifica....youll be glad you did!

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  Sebring - My Favorite Car - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By t smith - October 1 - 2:00 am

  This has been the best car I have ever had. My Sebring LXI Coupe looks great, runs great, has an Infinity stereo that sounds wonderful. I have had no problems with it. I have put 100,000 miles on it and would not be afraid to drive it across country. I am saving this car for my daughters.

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  Nothin else like it!!! - 2002 Chrysler Prowler
  By Sweet P - October 1 - 2:00 am

  Maybe a stiff ride...but whos looking for pot holes and unpaved roads driving this baby! No V-8...so what, it has plenty of guts when you need it, and its more fun driving it slow anyway! No stick...well you cant wave or return the high sign with one hand on the steering wheel and one on the stick anyway! Attention Magnet...a negative???

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  The Best of the bunch - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By REM - September 30 - 10:53 pm

  I have the car and have had in the past BMW, Corvette, TransAm, Audi to name a few, this has been my favorite. The ride is smooth, choppy, no way, drive the Corvette for that. From my experience driving this car it is put together well and is fun to drive, the pick up is good I have had people eat my dust many times, lol. The navigational system works so I dont know what the hell the idiot that said it didnt do or maybe he should learn to read or follow directions, it gets you any where you want to go, Ill prove it to anyone, I have travel just using the system. If you enjoy driving than this is the car to have and my God every where I go heads turn and they all ask what kind if car it is.

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  Class of its own - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Don Powell - September 29 - 10:00 am

  This PT Dream Cruiser series 1 is superior to the regular cruiser. I have tried the regular cruiser and there is no comparison. The leather the ride and the handling is superior. In fact I took a regular cruiser out and was going to back out of the deal. It was like test driving two completely different vehicles. It is near luxury car wise. I had sold in my mind 5 minutes after seeing it and driving it.

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  Best Convertable for the money - 1997 Chrysler Sebring
  By Richard Hughes, SR. - September 29 - 2:00 am

  Our 1997 Chrysler Sebring is sharp looking (black), fun to drive, has excellent pickup, plenty of room for passengers and luggage. With almost 75,000 miles it is still tight and handles like new. We have garaged the convertible from day one and the original top is in great shape. Regular maintenance and operating expenses have been very reasonable.