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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  A pleasent supprise a real sleeper! - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By nicktofhb - August 5 - 2:00 am

  This is a stylish confortable vehicle that presents itself with class. Its a welcomed improvement to some of those japaneese entries and a lot more confort. . I cant understand why this car dosnt get more recognition>

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  I Love This Car!!! - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Mike - August 3 - 7:40 am

  I had a 2006 Chrysler Sebring that was hit and totaled by a drunk driver. I needed a new car, so I decided on a PT Cruiser. I have the Touring Edition with a 5-speed manual, and I love it. Even though it has the 4-cylinder engine, it will get up and go fast. Love the space, and love the dashboard design. Gas mileage could be better, but thats more me than the car. I also love the color, Opal Metallic. Overall, the car is a great ride and versatile too!

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  Fabulous Car - 2010 Chrysler 300
  By Michael - August 3 - 2:08 am

  I bought my 2010 300 Touring eight months ago (Feb. 2016). At that time it had 70K miles. Ive added another 10K, and so far the car has performed beautifully. Other than oil changes the only expense has been to buy a spare key ($315) and new tires ($700). Ive taken a couple of short distance (150 miles or so) trips and the car rides like a dream. City mpg runs about 17.5-18.0; highway about 24 mpg. I feel very secure driving the car. I would recommend the Chrysler 300. Ive now owned the car for over a year and can still highly recommend the 300. Its very reliable and comfortable to drive. Only normal service work, i.e. oil changes, has been needed.

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  Cant Beat It! (for the price) - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By Darian A E - August 3 - 2:00 am

  I evaluated the competition first: Lexus ES300/Lincoln LS/Olds Aurora/Acura TL/Nissan Maxima. With incentives, I got a loaded 300M for $25900. Of the competitors, only Acura handled as well, but for $6500 more, & cloaked in boring sheet metal. The 300M is gorgeous inside & out & handles/accelerates aggressively. It has been quite reliable, & the dealer is generally helpful. Both front & back seats are the most comfortable places to sit I own, yet provide ample support for tire-screeching, scare-the-baby hairpin turns common in the Rockies. If you dont believe me, rent it on a 3- day roadtrip & see for yourself.

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  #3 still thrilled - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By bobcat - July 31 - 6:36 am

  purchased my third 300c heritage. i didnt think this car could get any better but i fell in love all over again the ride has improved.people still continue to stare this car has a very impressive statement on the road. why would you buy anything else is beyond me.

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  Silver bullet - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By brandy16 - July 31 - 3:33 am

  Best car I have ever owened. The 5.7 hemi is very reliable and powerful. It is a joy to drive. The car looks awsome and I get many compliments on it. With the ESC on you can take corners like they were not even there. The brakes are awesome and the traction control keeps you glued to the road. Thia is a very fast and very safe car. The only other car I would consider buying would be the SRT8 6.1 425 HP

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  1995 Chrysler LHS - 1995 Chrysler LHS
  By Schoonie - July 31 - 2:00 am

  Have driven this vehicle 84000 miles with absolutely no mechanical or electrical problems. This is my favorite of all the cars I have owned in the past 40 years. A great road car for long trips.

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  Never had a car this nice and lovin it! - 2017 Chrysler 300
  By JTM - July 30 - 11:28 am

  I bought this my 300 last week and love it! Comfortable ride and so far am getting 23.5 mph average town and road. How great is that? :-) Rides like a dream and is easy to drive. Looks great to boot! I HIGHLY recommend this car! I bought the Velvet Cherry with the linen colored leather seats. Am sooo happy!

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  300M - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By DaveRT - July 30 - 2:00 am

  Love the elegant interior. Always makes driving a pleasure. Performance is dandy with the AutoStick (hint - leave it in first for tiptop acceleration). Huge interior is great. Put 2 bikes into the trunk...OK, girls bikes.

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  Minivans get a bad rap - 2001 Chrysler Voyager
  By whippingpostguy - July 29 - 2:00 am

  If I told you about a average performing vehicle that could tote around 6 friends, haul home a 8x8 shed in a box, carry a sofa completely protected from the weather, youd think itd be something youd like, until I gave you the keys and said, its the Blue minivan over there....