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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  Turns on a dime! - 1996 Chrysler Concorde
  By Plumbing Drummer - May 7 - 10:37 am

  Love the way this car handles. I live in a mountainous area w/ lots for sharp curves & steep hills & this car handles them very well. I love the 7 speaker bose & creature comforts in general. I had to replace a fuel pump (really easy thanks to an access panel in trunk), wheel bearing 2 years ago & have the steering fixed last year, but considering the car has over 175,000 miles on it that’s not too bad. The air conditioning stopped working 4 years ago but considering everything else the car has to offer that’s a minor inconvienence.

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  A True A+ Chrysler - 1997 Chrysler Sebring
  By BLPro - May 7 - 12:40 am

  -I owned this car for three years, and had NO major problems with it. The only repairs were the Battery, Front Breaks, and average Tune-ups. A fantastic Wisconsin winter & summer car. I get 30 miles/Gal. Quick pick-up for Highway Driving. I knew about the drain holes ahead of time, so I avoided wet floors. If you have the "Flooding Problems" & "Standing Water" inside on the floors, just keep the drain holes along the frame under each door uncloged, that should solve the problem with water on the floors. I have had no problem getting people in the back seats either, rather roomy back there. Basic preventative maintainance, and the car has been great. Better then the Benz I had, & cheaper.)

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  I Fly the Concorde Daily - 1995 Chrysler Concorde
  By j. fain in florida - May 6 - 8:53 am

  This has been my best car, yet! Sporty, yet luxurious, with very comfy seats. She is beginning to rust a bit and a family member offered to buy me another car. I said "Nooo, I like my car, shes very comfy." Then they pursued the topic, and I answered back "She just needs a paint job".

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  Great Car! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Cliff - May 6 - 3:16 am

  This car has got to be the best thing since ice cream, from fit to finish...a fine world class automoble, one youed expect from Europes high end market only.I brought mine back in September of this year 2004. My brother owns a 2003 E-320 Mercedes, He picked my 300 up from the dealership for me and declared it had the same exact ride and feel of his E-320! and for $23,995... need I say anymore. There is one thing I would like to point out. In a special issue of Road & Track for the 300s they quoted on page six... "All Chrysler 300 models came with a list of standard features including traction Control" Traction is optional on the base car. I realized this all too late, I felt very misled.

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  Sweeeet Ride - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By TJB - May 6 - 1:16 am

  Awesome car from a first impression standpoint, as well as from a quality ride. Great modern appointments on the interior, reasonable trunk space (under hatchback) and my Limited Edition even comes with luggage! Daimler really set the bar high for this collaboration. A real pleaser - through and through.

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  Fun Drive: Great Road Trip Vehicle - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Doc - May 5 - 3:03 pm

  First road trip was a blast from the city to the country. Vehicle handled the interstate with ease, providing a comfortable drive over the hills and winding roads. Very capable for passing and handles well. Vehicle cabin was roomy and made for a comfortable driver and passenger ride. Full economy did not fully meet expectations. However, did drive the recommended speed limit. Overall average was 18mpg. Never noticed when or if the engine went from 8 to 4 cylinder operation. The trunk proved to be roomy enough to handle all the luggage for three people. Over the course of a 500 trip, grew to love the performance and handling of the vehicle. Missed the upscale luxury interiors.

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  Chrysler Pacifica 2004 - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By djmattox - May 4 - 10:00 am

  Good drive, good ride, comfortible. Poor rear vision, inside rear too narrow (golf clubs & bag will not fit lying side to side) steering wheel sometime obscures speedometer. Window buttons difficult to touch to raise window up.

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  My new toy. - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Walesca Marrero - May 4 - 10:00 am

  When I first saw the PT Cruiser I said know my family would fit in this tiny car. We are family of five and we fit just fine. For the extra room I like that we can put the seat down or take them out. My huband wanted to purchase a Ford Taurus wagon. Now we have just decided to trade our Ford mini van for our new PT Cruiser I like it very much.

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  Nothing But Problems - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By JeffinChicago - May 4 - 10:00 am

  Pains to me to say this - I love the car - all the features - nav system is excellent, its comfortable, etc. BUT had NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS with it - had it for 6 weeks - been in the shop 3 weeks - tons of parts replaced. Serpentine belt, horn mechanism, AC compressor. The blind spots are ridiculous - you simply cant see behind you. And the center console thing in the back seat is a joke - why is it there?

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  A little scared - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By 2muchluv - May 4 - 10:00 am

  Overall I have to admit the quality and build are much better then I was expecting. However, I have noticed some small details (Imperfections) you would not find in a foreign built automobile (I.E. doors and hood slightly out of line). Just small visual details. There has been some electronic problems that have me more worried. Nav system stopped working and mysteriously came back on after 30 minutes, memory #2 doesnt want to hold its presets, and the power-tilt/telescope steering wheel has been getting louder and louder each day gettin gin/out of the car.