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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  #1 ALLSTAR - 2015 Chrysler 300
  By John OConnor - August 29 - 8:23 pm

  Took delivery of my 300S AWD last week. Having retired from Jeep I always drove one (Jeep).Thinking of trading for another 4x4,the salesman suggested I test a 300S AWD...I never looked back! Everything about this car is quality. Thanks Chrysler for a job well done!

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  Far better than ever expected - 2015 Chrysler 300
  By Steve - August 24 - 2:23 am

  I was in the market for a German Midsize Sedan. I test drove the BMW 328i, Audi A4, and the Mercedes CLA250 and C250. My wife asked me if I had any other cars on my list and I said "yeah, the Chrysler 300 but I dont think itll hold up against the other 3 we drove". My wife convinced me to go drive it since it was on the list. We didnt even get 1/4 mile and we both were simply blown away! The Chrysler 300 for some strange reason is compared to other American sedans and a Japanese sedan or two, but for some reason they are rarely compared to the 3 Euro models I listed above. Why? I have no clue other than it might be political because the 300 puts them to shame. Yeah, the others have a couple interior things that look a bit better (not by much and prob not noticeable by most people) but when you compare the engine, the ride, the bang for your buck its not even a comparison. Once we were done test driving the 300 it was a easy decision, we werent going to spend $5k-$10k more just to have the BMW, Audi, or Mercedes name on our car.....we wanted the best riding, most spacious, and most upgrades we could get and save $5k-$10k! We ended up getting the 2015 300S in Black and absolutely LOVING IT!!!

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  MY ONCE IN A LIFETIME TOY - 2001 Chrysler Prowler
  By Brett D Garnett - August 12 - 4:06 pm

  Be aware that this is a car to be driven seldom and seen often!!! Heads will turn wherever you are and people will congregate and ask questions including can they have a ride!!! What is it? Etc, etc, etc... I thoroughly enjoy driving this vehicle as I have a Mulholland Edition (Midnight Blue) with extra hand painted pin stripping and accents... The front chrome grill also sets it off!!! The car holds its value and my 2001 has only 7700 miles on it so its like new. Do not buy this car if you looking for comfort and a quiet ride. This is a cruiser with high engine sound and a blasting sound system. Just enjoy the attention it gathers and the great looks this vehicle has. I love every minute Im behind the wheel and also when Im cleaning and babying it!!! Ive noticed that everyone around the car has a big smile on their face!!! So Be Happy!!!

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  Awesome ! High perfomance car! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Gmedina - July 31 - 12:08 pm

  I just bought an 05 300 C SRT 8 and Im loving this car! it reminded me of my prime time when I used to have a 77 Trans Am ! I never taught I would see another car like that 77 (performance and handling ...even looks)and this SRT 8 really exceeded my expectations.

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  Love My 300!! - 2015 Chrysler 300
  By BillieJo - July 22 - 7:55 pm

  I just purchased my car a week ago from WYN and BEN at Earnhardt Auto Center in Gilbert AZ... I upgraded from a 200 to a 300 and have no regrets! Loved my 200 and LOVE this 300! The car is great and the buying experience exceptional!

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  Looking for another - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By Chris Olsen - July 15 - 7:04 pm

  The most reliable vehicle I have ever owned. First the cons: issue with one of the rear heated seats switch, it would turn on and start flashing, then shut off. The lighting for both front seat heater switches went out, along with the variable fan speed switch and the analog clock. Navigation flat out sucked...I paid for the new navigation CD/DVD and had nothing but problems with it, so I stopped using it. Plus I would receive an error message every so often saying the disk had failed to load, and it was hell to eject it. The pros: everything else. For the model year I had every option but bluetooth and adaptive cruise control. he car purred like a champ, that is until I ended up in a flood (a foot of water running down the road) and sucked water into my air intake and hydro locked the engine. So I guess the only other negative is positioning of the air intake, move it to the wheel well. That said, I would still not hesitate to purchase another one. Just look out for water six inches or above.

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  Safe for Families, Cool for Teens and Adults - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By slytherinqueen - June 23 - 5:29 pm

  I recently bought this car with 152,000 miles on it. It has been sitting since 2013 and started and sounded beautiful. I am comfortable driving my little brothers and 3yo cousin. There is also enough room both in front and back for me and all my adult friends when we go out! The trunk is huge and perfect for any Equestrian and Builders or if you just have alot of stuff! I love the built in inner trunk release for when my brothers lock each other in it. I came from a 98 VW Passat Turbo TDI into this. My dad keeps trying to steal it when he goes out of town because of its comfort and seats that lay flat back. I would buy this car again and again! [and not just for the sporty looks!]

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  2.4 is "a pleasant surprise" - 2015 Chrysler 200
  By honestreview2 - May 31 - 5:58 pm

  Only reason I am giving a 4 for reliability is because of Chryslers previous track record with this car. So far I have had 0 issues. I saw the 200s when they came out and loved the new styling. Ill admit it is a bit conservative but I think thats what gives it more of a classy look rather than a more aggressive look that will not age well. Originally I was going to get the 200s with the V6 for that tremendous power, but after comparing the two, I preferred the way the 4 cylinder composed itself and handled. Even though the 200s 0-60 is 9 sec, in normal driving it feels much more powerful and very smooth. The transmission was a little quirky at first but after break in it smoothed out.

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  Luxory and Affordability Like No Other Car Offers - 2015 Chrysler 300
  By rram300 - May 22 - 10:53 am

  Purchased a 2015 300 Limited in April. Although this is supposed to be a base model I also compared Mercedes, Audi, Volvo, BMW, Infinity, and Acura base models and the 300 beat them by far with things like heated leather (not leatherette)seats, larger infotainment 8.4 screen, 3.6L 292hp 6-cylinder power, good mpgs (I average 25 combined)and I added several options such as Nav., safety blind spot monitoring, lane change assist, remote start, front and rear parking sensors, back-up camera, LED fog lamps, Beats speakers with a sub-woofer in the trunk, and more and still came in at under $31K. Do your research folks and youll discover like I did this is the best value luxury car around.

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  Superb Vehicle - 2008 Chrysler 300
  By beniciajoe - May 6 - 8:03 pm

  Great style, great performance and total comfort make for a superb vehicle. This is my second 300, with the first being a 2006 Touring model. The Touring was a more balanced car, delivering everything I needed. But the 300C Heritage Edition give me everything I want. Speed, comfort and reliability. Great highway cruiser, and it pulls strong up to its 130 mph electronic limit. Nice neutral handling through the turns, and good communication as you approach the cars limits. Amazing comfort and stereo combine to make the miles effortless. I now have 148,000 miles, and no problems yet - I still have the original brake pads and rotors! I can afford a new car, but this has everything.