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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  Great car...lots to offer - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By waldo - September 15 - 10:00 am

  Car has many qualities...captain chairs, ride, comfort, liftgate....kids love the DVD and sound system (all extra)I receive contant compliments on the look of the vehicle

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  Great Car - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By APacificaOwner - September 15 - 10:00 am

  We have had our Pacifica a couple of months and have been very impressed by it. Its our first Chrysler product and we love it. Its no race car but the performance is pretty good and we have found the fuel mileage to be decent - low 20s in all around driving. The Pacifica is a very roomy and good looking car with lots of utility.

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  bought 1 wish I had not - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By kahuhn - September 15 - 10:00 am

  Car in shop at least 6 times within 5 months. Vibration in steering wheel, pulling to left while driving, pulling to right when braking. Rotors needed replaced at only 6000 mi. car still having same issues,brakes wearing uneven. Research forums before purchasing, seems Chrysler cars/suv/minivans all having similar problems with brakes.

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  2005 300C Awesome!!! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By bvg - September 15 - 10:00 am

  This car is stunning in appearance you cannot appreciate how wonderful this car is until you drive it.Traded 1997 740il for 300C...ENOUGH SAID!!

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  GREAT CAR - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By bigcarguy - September 15 - 10:00 am

  Chrysler has finally hit the top with the new 300C. It looks great, its comfortable, its quiet, and its got enough power to blow by all those civic drivers. The MDS system on the hemi is flawless. There is no way to tell whether or not the car is running on 4 or 6 cylinders. Best off all, if you turn off the traction control and punch it, be ready for some fish tailing. I have absolutely no complaints about this car!

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  PT GT - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By D. Johnson - September 15 - 3:36 am

  I needed a car that was practical, and when I drove the PT GT I found a practical car I actually liked driving. In good or bad weather, the PT handles well, and has been a pleasure to own and drive.

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  My Dream of a well rounded Vehicle!! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Military Man - September 13 - 10:10 pm

  Before I left for Iraq, I totaled my car of seven year. I guess it was a blessing because when I first laid eyes on this care, it was my future in the distance. The power and design is what I was looking for in a car. The prestige and grace of the design is memorable of cars from the days of old. This car will last me for the rest of my days!!!

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  Great mix of fun / practicality - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By 2001LXiVert - September 13 - 6:08 pm

  This is the best car Ive ever owned. I bought it new with 2 miles on it in March of 2001 and have never had any major mechanical problems with it. Very comfortable and stylish, plus great for a family car. 200 hp performs very well in a heavy convertible, plus >30 highway mileage. City mileage suffers some, but still >20 even on the bad days. I bought this car because the 2001 was the first year to offer the 2.7l V6 and better styling than the previous Sebrings.

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  2004 Pacifica Family Vehicle - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Thomas N. - September 13 - 6:50 am

  Overall, we love this vehicle! The last SUV that we owned was a bare bones Isuzu Amigo. The Pacifica is a luxury vehicle. One time glitch: the memory seats did not want to move. The dealership reset the system and it is fine now. The over head lights which are available at each seating position are very handy for adult passengers, but not appropriate for small children. The battery sometimes gets worn down by leaving these on accidentally, although there is a global control to turn these off on the turn signal control. This SUV is very comfortable for passengers in the front and second row of seats. The 3rd row is more comfortable than all 3rd row seats in other SUVs we test drove.

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  My PT Cruiser Convertible - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By bilmac1 - September 12 - 1:52 pm

  I simply love my PT Convertible, it has served me very well, no engine problems, no major problems at all, just routine maintenance, and I have had it for 7 years! It gets decent gas mileage, not like some of todays models are getting, but who can really complain about 20 miles per gallon of 75% town and 25% highway miles.