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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  Bumpy - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By nancy - July 16 - 1:33 am

  I love the look of this car. It is classy looking. Somewhat disappointed in the suspension. I had in garage twice to check struts. It is like driving a truck when on rough roads. I wonder if it is just my car or the make of the car. Other than that--i love the car just wish the ride was better.

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  Easily the best car I have owned. - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By colorado1974 - July 14 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned Audis, BMWs, Land Rovers and Jeeps and this is easily the best car that I can ever remember. It has power, class, stature, room, towing ability, comfort and everything else I can say. It corners like its on rails and with the autostick, its a hoot to drive.

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  Its Awesome! - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By AHUNT - July 14 - 10:00 am

  I have had my PT for all most 2 months. I love it. The car handles well and has unbelievable accelleration for a 4 cyl. Electric Blue Pearl is a beautiful color that goes great with the 17" chrome rims. Everyone that rides with me loves it too. Autostick is good for quick acceleration in short areas (i.e. short passing zones.

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  LOVE MY PT CONVERTIBLE - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By curtpcadillac - July 13 - 8:46 pm

  I love my 2007 PT Cruiser Convertible. Ive had it for 3 and 1/2 years and have put a little over 18,000 carefree miiles on it. Well, the CD player has had a CD stuck in it since it was a month old and the front wheels love brake dust... but that was a homemade CD - so maybe it was our fault, and I dont mind cleaning the wheels (very easily done.) The only bad thing about the car is the gas mileage. My other car is a Lincoln Town car, and it averages around 14 MPG (in a very hilly area just outside of Pittsburgh, PA). My PT with a 4 cyl only averages 17MPG. I was thinking it was because I only drive it on such a limited basis (but after reading the reviews - I have discovered diff.)

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  Pacifica Needs Hemi!! OTT: Very nice - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By JMErbrick1980 - July 13 - 2:00 am

  This is perhaps the nicest Chrysler I have driven to date. Style is very appealing, interior is roomy with very good build quality. The only gripe I have is its underpowered. GIVE IT THE HEMI TREATMENT!! OTT: Its a winner in my book.

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  Room for a big guy - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By mackama - July 13 - 12:10 am

  My wife has always liked the PT, and when it was time to replace her Ford ZX2, went went looking for a four door to make it easier for our grandchild. After driving the PT, we were sold. They did just about everything right. Its only drawback is the fuel ecomomy. We went from over 30 mpg with the ZX2 to under 26 with the PT.

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  Fun to drive PT - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By PT cruiser Touring - July 12 - 9:00 pm

  We love the headroom in the car, both front and back and there is plenty of back leg room when the seats are all the way back in the front. Only thing that we dont like is the turning capacity. We get 24 to 25 MPG in the city and up to 30 on the highway.

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  Great car to drive with top down-or up - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By fanjan - July 12 - 4:23 pm

  Bought this car with 8000 miles already on it during cold weather. I couldnt wait until the weather warmed up so I could drive with the top down. I wasnt disappointed! Very smooth, comfortable ride-lots of extra features including radio controls on steering wheel, heated seats and CD/Cassette/radio. Good gas mileage of about 26mpg city/highway.

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  One bumpy ride - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Pieter Spierenburg - July 12 - 1:56 am

  Bought this one owner Limited Cruiser with 45,000 mi. on it and every option available incl. sunroof. It has 16" alloy wheels with Goodyear Eagle GT 205R55/16 tires on it and I am afraid to hit any potholes as it makes a loud clunking sound. The dealer told me that is normal for this type with sport suspension on it. No good for those who like a nice smooth ride.

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  Fun - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Edgar Barnes - July 11 - 12:13 pm

  This is the most fun to drive, fun to own car I have ever had. Very dependable with no repairs in 100,000 miles. I have got more compliments on this car than any I ever owned.