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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  The bes suv ever - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Jojimbo - November 22 - 2:00 am

  This car is great

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  Excellent Drive - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Scorzaze - November 22 - 2:00 am

  The ride is fantastic. It can haul the kids to soccer and still take friends out to dinner. What a classic ride. It can even take it to Home Depot.

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  Its truly "well beyond the suv"! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Carol Snyder - November 22 - 2:00 am

  Coming from Chrysler T&C LXI, I appreciate the ease of storage of the Pacifica back seats for hauling cargo. Also, appreciate the easy load of dvd and full screen viewing for movies in rear seat. Best feature is the very accurate navigation system in a location that is easy to use when driving. Interior is roomy, realatively easy to access the back row of seats and FUN to drive. Lots of positive feedback from others who like the overall appearance and the navigation feature when they get inside. Lots of "I like your car" comments! Only downside is limited site when backing up but no problems so far.

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  Pacifica Car of the future - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By zeke - November 22 - 2:00 am

  We have been driving our Pacifica since August and we have never had a nicer, more fun and easy to drive and ride in vehicle ever.

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  overlooked little gem - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By ken brill - November 21 - 1:24 pm

  I bought my Sebring slightly used at a Chrysler dealer. It was a great buy. The little car gets no publicity, but in my opinion it is an overlooked gem. Great looks, terrific handling, and good gas mileage. Have only had a crank sensor go out in the 6 years I have had it.

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  othing but net - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Carl Smith - November 21 - 7:58 am

  Its bigger than most minivan but easy to enter and leave. Very satisfied so far.

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  New Car - November 2009 - 2002 Chrysler Concorde
  By Glhermance - November 20 - 8:00 am

  This is my 2nd Concorde I have owned. I just purchased this car Nov 9, 2009 as itr was a onw owner trade in with only 22,523 actual miles on it and I paid only $ 8500.00 for the car. It rides and looks like a new car !! Had to travel 305 mile one way to get it and it got 27.7 miles a gallon - not to bad !!!

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  The best little car around - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Betty Folger - November 20 - 12:46 am

  I have enjoyed the stick shift and the style of this car. People stop me or when I drive by wave and say what a "Cute Car" I feel like I am 20 again driving it. I love the way it handles, and how easy it is to put the top up and down. It is very unique in the fact that the window controls are on the dash board. I bought the strip down model no turbo or frills but it is the best running and handling car.

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  The best little car around - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Betty Folger - November 19 - 9:10 pm

  I have enjoyed the stick shift and the style of this car. People stop me or when I drive by wave and say what a "Cute Car" I feel like I am 20 again driving it. I love the way it handles, and how easy it is to put the top up and down. It is very unique in the fact that the window controls are on the dash board. I bought the strip down model no turbo or frills but it is the best running and handling car.

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  Best all-around vehicle Ive ever owned! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By dimitrik - November 19 - 8:02 pm

  My car is one of the first PACs made (I think manufacture date is 10/03) -- it is the 3.5L 4-spd. w/ AWD. One complaint is I average only 16 MPG (mostly city driving). But when taking all things into consideration, it is the best car I have ever owned -- from reliability, design, comfort, and usability standpoint. I have all the options, and feel that the telematics (DVD, NAV, Satellite radio, Bluetooth) are better integrated than on my wifes new Lexus IS250. Too bad the car was discontinued so soon!