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:

• 

  Black Beauty - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Pat Donleycott - February 1 - 2:00 am

  We bought one of the first Pacificas in April of 2003, we now have 15,000 miles on it and love it, a super smooth ride yet very stable in cornering, not a single problem so far, great sound system etc. People continue to stop us and tell us how beautiful the car is. Storage is very versatile.

• 

  my pt - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By kylepete - February 1 - 2:00 am

  very fun to drive, but lacks power, and hard to park! very very comfortable on a road trip, and decentgas mileage on the highway.. lots more room inside than you think.

• 

  Beautiful Style for Family Car - 2000 Chrysler Concorde
  By NF - January 30 - 6:24 pm

  If you get the right color, this cars style/looks will be hard to beat. This is a roomy car with sleak line. Back seat leg room may be largest in its class. The one odd problem that Ive encountered was a faulty gas cap. $10.00 for a replacement cap - no big deal. Although Ive not had this problem, Ive heard that Concorde 2.7 motors can go bad due to sludge. Im wondering if synthetic oil would be a good defense against sludge. Does anyone know?

• 

  nine gears really? - 2016 Chrysler 200
  By Leo Lyons - January 30 - 4:43 am

  the typical buyer of this 200 s does not need 9 speeds .Only the company wants it.It would be better suited for a 6 speed tranny guy!!!!!!!!

• 

  Smelly Windows - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Janine - January 29 - 2:00 am

  If you live where it doesnt rain & you dont want to wash your car yould love this car. The window stripping does not dry out, the whole vehicle smells musty. I would suggest carrying an oxygen tank with you so you can breathe. Loud inside cabin noise does not make for a pleasant ride. The passenger seat does not lock into place, & cant be fixed. Its been into two different Chrysler dealerships to be repaired, after 10 times, still nothing has changed. If Chrysler thinks they can produce cars with such little care & quality they should think again. If you complain too much they might not service your car, they did it to me.

• 

  Trouble in disguise - 1999 Chrysler Concorde
  By TwistedTornado - January 29 - 1:18 am

  I just bought a 99 Concorde and I have to say it looks great!...BUT....Im already experiencing problems even though it was certified and CARFAX came clean. My climate control doesnt light up and column lights for gears dont light up. Brakes has become a problem and in need of repair. Seals around the headlight is comming apart and will be costly to replace@200 a piece. Just wanted to add that I have had it only a week! Luckily I purchased a warranty that covers it except the headlights. $400 down and who knows whats next.

• 

  Ok Folks, this is an awesome/fun vehicle - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By ShutEye Thinkin - January 28 - 9:14 pm

  Researched the Touring convertibles. Test-drove several, looking for one that showed excellent engine,transmission,brake,driving performance. Finally found a dealership trade-in 1-owner with 1.5 years warranty left. Amazing. Great V6 power, great maneuvering, Great steering, quality on manufacturing excellent, not what Ive been used to reading about. Been driving around in 40 deg temps with top down and heat on, and getting off big-time. Everyone I take for a drive has felt the same. I now understand those who say when youve gone convertible, you never go back to a standard car. Black body, black top, black interior, just visually tantalizing, folks. The 10s on-demand roof is the kicker

• 

  Superb handling and performance - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By coupe - January 26 - 2:32 pm

  We use our vehicle as a daily driver and find the ease of manuvering in traffic on streets or freeways. For such a short wheelbase I am amazed at the smoothness of the ride. Performance as far as acceleration is superb. Braking is fantastic. I have put on over 12,000 km and had no problems. Room in the vehicle is great as you dont touch the roof or bump shoulders. I have driven many sport and luxury cars in my life and have to say that this is truly a great vehicle.

• 

  My Sebring - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Jim Webb - January 26 - 12:41 pm

  Very nice shape and preformance. I really like the pick-up-and-go of the car. When I go to pass someone it do NOT bog down, it jumps up and goes. Comfort is great also. Look and feel is super.

• 

  Chrysler 300C Too much fun! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By rreese7630 - January 25 - 7:50 pm

  This car is a class ride. Style, comfort and performance. After driving this car for about 20 minutes, it seemed like Id been driving it for years.