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 the Cruiser - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Joe from the south - October 18 - 2:00 am

  Lots of fun to drive and really well made, especially for the price

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  My New Car!! - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Faith Wood - October 16 - 10:00 am

  I had a 2004 Crossfire...saw this 2005 new limited convertible and had to have. It is a keeper! I love the look, the drive, and the quality of all the products in it. Everyone admires as they see it parked or on the road.

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  P T Cruiser love - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Ron Sheets - October 16 - 10:00 am

  My P T Cruiser is everything i thought it would be and even more. I am so proud of it and enjoy the looks and comments i get from everybody. It is the best car i have owned. Chrysler built a good one for us baby boomers just like the old days .

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  Great Buy - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Cookie - October 15 - 5:23 pm

  Everybody teased me about driving a crossover station wagon until they got in it (to include my husband). Once in it all they could do was stare. It looks just like a luxury suv (lexus) on the inside on guest said. As soon as possible I will be trading iup for the 07 or 08 model. I traded from a Sebring, so I was just trying to keep in the family and I am so glad that i did. I til this day get rave reviews of what they thought the pacifica was and Im glad that I could show them what they are really made of !!!!

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  Good reliable utility minivan - 2001 Chrysler Voyager
  By mike - October 14 - 11:55 am

  4 cylinder only lacks passing power when loaded. It is a 150 hp engine with great reliabilty and a great trans. No repairs at 75,000 miles. gas mileage aveages 23-24.

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  I Love it - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By workmanfamily - October 13 - 8:03 am

  Great cruising car. It is fun to drive and handles great. Weve not had any problems with it at all until now almost 5 years into it a linkage on the gears went out (manual transmission).

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  2005 Sebring Convertible 2.7 L 6Cyl - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By Steve Hirsch - October 10 - 5:58 pm

  I have a red exterior with black top and chrome wheels, Touring model. Gets a comment from everyone that sees it. Fun, fun car to drive. Cannot complain except for suspension problems (bumpy ride, shakes when going on unfinished roads), but will have it checked out. However features and performance make up for suspension problem. Heated driver and passenger seats a plus, along with 6 CD automatic stereo system.

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  Dont count on it . . . or Chrysler - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By Hoovey - October 10 - 9:14 am

  This is my first Chrysler, and it will certainly be my last. Dont get me wrong - I love the looks of the car, but looks sure arent everything. I have had problems with my Sebring since I purchased it. First it was the engine. No one ever seemed to be able to find the problem when the engine light came on every 4-6 months. Now its the paint job, which is fading fast on the top and trunk. Dont expect any help from Chrysler either. Under warranty or not, the problems are yours to fix and worry about. For a company that relies on customers, their customer service is anything but. Take my advice (as I wish I had taken from others before I bought this car) - dont buy a Chrysler!

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  My LHS - 2001 Chrysler LHS
  By Charles - October 9 - 1:09 pm

  This auto has been an overall joy. My only critical comment is that the MPG could be better (~22-24 HWY) for a 6 cyl. Ive had it now for almost 5 years and all components have worked well. I had expected the interior to be a bit quieter on the Highway given that this is a lux sedan - but folks share that when I change the ORM tires out (about another 30K miles) that will change. No wind noise to speak of which was a big improvement over the last auto. Even today it still is a sharp looking auto - havent seen anything else that zings me to trade it in. Engine is smooth and has enought spark to make it out of tight spots with little if any delay. Sound is really good with the BOSE system.

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  What a great car! - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Richard - October 9 - 12:40 pm

  I love my 2006 Chrsyler Limited. Great design & looks. Smoothest ride Ive ever seen. Oh so quite, no wind noise. Plenty of power. Handling is a dream. Chrysler is to be commended on such a great car!