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:

• 

  It Saved My Wifes Life - 2008 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Mark G - November 19 - 1:40 pm

  My wife has driven 3 of these vehicles, 2004, 2006 and now the 2008 Touring W P Chrysler Edition. The car is one of the safest vehicles on the road and it built like a tank with Mercedes technology. My wife was rear ended (high speed)in a mulitiple car pile up on the freeway 5 months after getting the car and then hit a second time. She walked away without a scratch or bruise and the car survived quite well !! Why stop building this car? We would have bought them forever! Maybe decisions like this is why Chrysler went bankrupt. This car was heavily influenced by Daimler and was the best product to come out of their influence.

• 

  Family pet - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Anonymous - November 19 - 2:00 am

  We bought this car new. 180 hp turbo has get up and go. Amazingly comfortable, expecially considering exterior dimensions. Seats front and rear are comfortable. Lots of room. Easy to see out of. Ride is smooth. We take it on trips in preference to our 2005 Volvo V70 2.5T. Very reliable. Only one repair: windshield washer nozzle replaced. Dealer says front brakes look like they havent been used. We love our Cruiser.

• 

  Great Road Car - 2001 Chrysler Concorde
  By Bichon Mom - November 17 - 11:38 am

  This is an all around great touring car that has a luxury feel and is loaded with extras. The leather interior is gorgeous, and the car easily and comfortably holds 5 adult passengers on long trips. MPG is 23 city and 29 hwy if your tires are kept inflated. In the two years I have owned the car, I needed to replace the A/C condensor and the battery. Both are more costly than necessary as the under hood arrangement does not make it easy for your mechanic. This is my third Concorde since 1994 and I will miss them when they are all gone!

• 

  70s Chrysler Style with Benz Flair - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Lance - November 17 - 12:03 am

  I am a liflong auto enthusiast, collector and Master Automobile Technician. I have owned over 200 cars from AMC to Pontiac, and have serviced or repaired probably 10000. The new 300C is the most exciting new automobile that I have ever experienced, by half. What first strikes you is the styling, which for me said 1973 Chrysler, which itself had styling ques from various 50s Chryslers. The stance is masculine and aggresive. The HEMI V-8 delivers enormous power and torque yet impressive fuel economy; about 24 mpg average for my driving habits. I just cant praise the new 300 enough without writing a dissertation about its virtues! Just drive one, trust me!

• 

  Hot Turbo - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By richardf - November 16 - 2:00 am

  A super performer and excellent quality. I just wish the Chrysler would stop upgrading. This is my 2nd Cruiser and I want a convertible.

• 

  300C Hemi Heritage Edition -Cool Vanilla - 2008 Chrysler 300
  By RichmondVA300C - November 14 - 5:46 pm

  Bought this car new in 2009...last one in the showroom. It is the Heritage Edition, so it comes standard with many interior upgrades such as the U- Connect, NAV, MPEG with 40GIG Hardrive, as well as a very sharp camel color interior and special leather seats. In addition, the 300C comes with the standard stuff that really makes the car special...like adaptive cruise control, Bose Stereo with 400W Amp, power steering tilt and pedals, memory seats, engine cuts from 8 to 4 cylinders to save fuel etc. I could go on for days about the standard/added features features on the 300C. I am 65" tall and fit in the car great. Truly a joy to drive, although gas mileage is quite disappointing.

• 

  1994 Chrysler LHS - 1994 Chrysler LHS
  By Clyde Jones - November 12 - 8:08 pm

  Ive owned this vehicle since it was 2 years old and 34,000 miles. It now has 94,000 on it with no major repairs that werent taken care of by warranty. The sound system no longer works, but it was very nice when it did. The drivers seat forward adjustment no longer works without some help. The car consistently gets 23.4 mpg average in my driving, which is mostly highway with some city mixed in. Considering its size, its pretty stingy with a gallon of gas, & it handles beautifully. I loved this car from the first time I saw it advertised by Chrysler and had to have one. I have never been disappointed by it. The car is amazing with the 3.5 litre v-6 (it thinks its a V-8).

• 

  Cruiser Convertuble - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By RayF - November 11 - 10:00 am

  Had the car for a month and it is really a head turner to say the least. Top is very easy to use and stores out of the way for rear visibility. Have the touring edition Turbo which runs on regular gas. Fund to drive and a classy ride. Other than the dark grey interior which is really too dark for my tastes, but Im working on that, it is a great ride., Gaslonie Mileage is improving as it breaks in.

• 

  ITS HEMI - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By J Schoenecker - November 11 - 10:00 am

  Im very happy with my 300C. Only 700 miles on it and it has me reliving my 1968 1/2 Plymouth RoadRunner, HT days, even my wife(who paid my 1st car payment for the RR) loves it. The MDS is excellent new technology and will spread once folks understand they can have both worlds (Power & Economy)

• 

  Love My "C" - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By DPahl - November 11 - 10:00 am

  I have only had it for four weeks and 3,000 miles, but I love this car! From the neck-snapping acceleration to the head-turning style, I think it is the best value on the road. I bought the magnesium color and I am amazed at the slack-jawed looks I am getting from BMW, Mercedes, and Lexus drivers who paid much more for their vehicles than I did.