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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  Nice when newer, BUT... - 1996 Chrysler LHS
  By jhihmoac - August 21 - 1:51 pm

  Like anything else on wheels, problems start cropping up when the years add on...Bought mine used at just under 130K...At that time, everything worked, except the air conditioner, which the lack of, really has an overall effect on a full-time automatic climate system...Heat will come on in the middle of a hot summer day, and will take its grandiose time to do its job come the winter...With these cars, servicing/replacing the A/C is a MUST, and that can get expensive...That done (expensive job), everything was fine until about the 176K mark, then it was just one thing after another, (stabilizer, cvs, brake lines, rotors)...Then the engine had some major issues, and it was time to junk it...

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  Great Car ! - 2009 Chrysler Sebring
  By alan_qeredaxi - August 18 - 6:42 pm

  Well, Unlike Edmunds review and the other reviews, I could find nothing that looks cheap or of poor quality, but some pieces in the interior looks cheap ! I was concerned after reading negative reviews, but the car has grown on me. I tested some cars in this segment including Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, Kia Optima ... It was quiet and smoother. but the Altima was powerful than the Sebring with 2.5L engine. Sebring Its what you want in a mid-size sedan, the car is very nice inside and outside, it has a aerodynamic design, smart intuitive, powerful with I-4 and gushes with elegance, and also the seats are very nice and qulaity, among all of those thing, It is very Stable and economic !

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  Owned 1.5 months went 922 miles - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By abouttowne - August 17 - 4:16 pm

  Purchased what appeared to be a clean car. Beautiful looks and interior great. Daughter first car. Engine failed 900 miles after purchase on the vehicle. When purchasing we checked consumer reports that gave a 4.5 on the rating and did not indicate engine problems. We find out when we googled possible engine trouble. Have read thousands of complaints about the 2.7 engine and safety issues, Chrysler lack of responsibility over defective engine. This is hidden from consumers and these units are still being sold to unsuspecting buyers.

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  Good looks and performance, Horrible Build Quality - 2011 Chrysler 200
  By philly33flyers - August 16 - 6:20 pm

  I purchased this car 2 months ago and have 3000 miles on it. Car drives great and has good power but there is 1 issue that has ruined the whole experience. The rear passenger side has the loudest wind noise I have ever heard on a car. People who sit in the back seat complain and think that the window is open when its not. Chrysler seems to not care about the problem and says that it is a "feature." Also, I agree with the previous reviewer about the drivers side floor mat moving around and getting stuck underneath the gas pedal. I brought this to Chryslers attention also and was told that there is nothing wrong with the mat. I have since thrown the mat in the trunk.

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  Funny Story! - 2011 Chrysler 200
  By mh200 - August 11 - 9:05 pm

  I never thought in a million years that I would buy a Chrysler product. I drove my 2006 Supercharged Mustang to the dealership before they opened on a Sunday morning to look at a used Saleen Mustang. As I got to the dealership I saw a Bright white Chrysler 200 Convertible on the Showroom patio, and surprise surprise it was left unlocked. I got in it and was absolutely floored on how nice it was. I looked at the car for so long that the Sales team arrived as I was looking at the car. I went on a test drive and the rest is history. So why all the bad "Expert Reviews? the car is no BMW, but look at the reviews from the people whom actually own one! Good-bye Ford, I will never look back!

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  stalls more thean anycar ive owned - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By nonewcar1 - August 8 - 11:34 am

  this piece of crap i got from my ford dealership used, stalls more then my 84 mustang, 81 malibu, 91 blazer put together, ive owned a 2003 pt cruiser too, the dealership told me that it was in tip top shape, a car that was made less than ten years ago should not stall out, at all. ive changed the oil once and it has been worse (bought it back in late may of 2011, now being august 2011) I hhave lost faith in chrysler products, this coming from a familiy that bought nothing but chrysler/dodges, the brakes are choppy at best, the interior is the only redeeming quality it has, next time im pressured in buying a car from this century, im going to say heck no! because i have nothing but problems

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  Great car!! - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By bluefrog2 - August 1 - 3:58 pm

  I felt compelled to review based upon a touch of misinformation Ive seen out there if you want this car you should have no worries about buying a well-maintained one. I was not looking for this car but, when I found it I instantly fell in love! The car is fun to drive, plenty powerful (you wont be beating Corvettes in it - if you want to race high-power sports cars get something else), and handles much better than my BMW 330 did. Two issues Id like to speak to: the engine mechanicals are a bit loud - relax, youre not about to throw a rod! Rearward visibility obviously isnt like a mini-van, but youll acclimate to it quickly. If you want one, buy one, you be glad you did!

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  The Beast - 2009 Chrysler Aspen
  By rock47 - July 27 - 5:43 pm

  I have owned an Aspen for 4 years now and its been nothing but the best for me. I think the middle row has plenty of room and the seats lay back giving you more room. The third row is a little snug but dont anyone sit back there but the kids. I dont know what Aspen anyone else is driving but my Aspen rides smooth!. If I had to say anything bad about it I would say the price of the Aspen is a little steep! and the gas mileage could be a little better. The other sad part about it is they dont make it anymore and I dont wont to go back to a car.

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  Worst car ever made and worst ever owned - 2003 Chrysler 300M
  By nhevinw007 - July 26 - 5:37 pm

  There is only one brand that where there are actual websites dedicated to the hate of these vehicles and all things the terrible company makes. The exterior of this vehicle is fairly nice, and the interior is roomy and comfortable. That is the good. It chews up rotors and pads. The paint started coming off at 90,000 miles. I have replaced 7 crank shaft sensors, 5 cam shaft sensors, 1 A/C compressor, at least 9 windshield wipers, and the oil has leaked since the week we bought it. It stalls all the time, and now the tranny is starting to go out. All I do is feel sorry for anyone who buys a car made by this company. [violative content deleted]

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  POOR gas mileage - 2010 Chrysler Sebring
  By kmasue - July 24 - 4:15 pm

  i bought my sebring in feb brand new as a 2010 leftover, an althought i got it for a good price, i have very poor gas mileage with it, along with some other issues. For having a 4 cyl engine, and being rated 21 city 30 hwy, i would never have expected to be getting only 20 mpg at best on the hwy. i have called the dealers service department several times reguarding this issue, and have taken it in, an all ive been told is they cant find anything wrong with it and that it must be the way i am driving. i have also written to chrysler corp and been told the same thing. i am very displeased and will certainly never purchase another chrysler.