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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  It doesnt get any better - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By dwaindc - April 21 - 2:00 am

  I traded in my 1999 Caddy STS and can say the 300C is more powerful, more exciting and has just as many "bells and whistles" at $20,000 less. Im 61" and dont have to slide the front seat all the way back for legroom. It has more legroom for rear seat passengers. My only concern is long term reliability, otherwise it is the best car I have ever purchased. Bottom line, this car excites me.

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  Fantastic car for money - 2015 Chrysler 200
  By Stingraybike - April 19 - 2:43 pm

  I have owned this car since buying it new in August of 2014. I was replacing a tired 17 year old car. I had looked at many brands and i just would find myself back at the Chrysler website. I had a set price point and I knew what features I wanted and ones that i didnt. As i would look at many different brands they just could not hit the price point i wanted, especially when it came to a fully loaded car. I also love the design they really hit it out of the park. I bought her fully loaded with the tigershark engine in the mid 20s, nobody was willing to touch that price point. I was a little hesitant to buy a four cylinder since i was used to driving a six. I will admit after testing it, it was a little underwhelming but I was willing to give it a shot. From time to time I wish I would have looked more at the V6, but now after owning it as long as I have I am used to the power and know when and how to give it the juice to get the right pickup that I need. I have had no engine or powertrain problems it has been flawless. the trans is can be rough from time to time and may hunt a little and when stopping and starting from a stop it is a little rough as it does not kick down to 1st quick enough in my eyes but if you are making a proper stop by the rules of driving than it is fine. I love the interior features and options. Seats are comfortable, the rear seating can be a little cramped for a taller person but I bought it for myself and it is great for me. The size of the 8.4 screen is perfect. I like that most of the features are accessed through the screen and are well laid out and labeled. I have had a few hiccups at the beginning with the Uconnect infotainment system but nothing that didnt fix itself within a few min but overall it is fantastic. It will also read and write text messages for you which is great. I like the digital gauge cluster, it gives you all of the info you need along with turn buy turn info to help you navigate. The buttons and switches are well laid out, I like the rotary gear shifter, a lot of people dont like it but from moving from a manual transmission car all the automatic gear shifters are toys and a waste of space. The headlights and fog lights provide perfect visibility and turn on when needed due to the auto light feature. In terms of driving, It took me a little time getting used to visibility but i have 0 problems now. If i had any bones to pick it would be the lack of a CD player, but i am just old school. I have the panoramic sunroof and I love that feature on this car. The premium sound system is great. I love the remote start on this car as the heated seats will kick on if the temp outside is below 40 deg and the A/C will kick on if it is hot out. As for the exterior i opted for the 19" wheels, I love how she looks with the 19"s, I did also buy a set of winter wheels and tires as I wanted better winter traction and I didnt want all the salt from the Chicago winters to corrode those nice wheels. To me the AWD would be nice but for me it is not needed as I have been driving in chicago winters all my life. I have only had two warranty issues , one was a turn signal that was collecting water, and the sunroof cover would pop off track, both were replaced without a problem. Other than a few small things this car has been fantastic. I have seen some reviews with people experiencing some pretty bad problems with them but luckily I have not experienced any. I would not let those few problematic reviews keeping you from considering this car. I feel they did their homework and the design is fantastic. I love driving this car and always have to give it the lookback when you are walking away from it.

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  My snowball - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Bob Loving - April 19 - 11:36 am

  My black PT ragtop is one wonderful car. Not even one hint of a problem in the near 2 years I have had it. I gets looks and comments all the time and has given me 30000 miles of fun and enjoyment.

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  Unreliable - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By soulsistar - April 19 - 4:00 am

  At first I loved my car it was everything I had been looking for! Drove it a little over and I have had to change the brakes ever 2 months. It started overheating about 3 hours away from home. Replace temperature gauge and water pump, A month later had to do it all again! This car is SOLD! Never again will I have a PT. Too many problems has about 50,000 miles. NOT reliable at all.

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  Simply AWSOME! - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Stu & Cathy - April 19 - 2:00 am

  This is our second Chrysler. We LOVE it! I would drive this car on any long vacations and never get tired. It gives a wonderful smooth ride and when needed lots of ZOOM! They did a great job following the Cirus with the Sebring. Only complaint is the its a little thursty when it comes to gas in the city.

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  Great convertible! - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By gfriedrich - April 19 - 2:00 am

  This car does a great job in snow as well as dry roads. I cant wait to drive it routinely with the top down.

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  PT Bruiser - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Lingomaster - April 19 - 2:00 am

  My wife wanted a new car and the Cruiser was cute, practical and had sufficient space to haul antiques in. I agreed with her selection criteria, yet I was able to persuade her to wait until the 2003 model came out. I test drove a 2002 Limited Edition, which lacked some extra oomph to catch up to its cuteness and functionality. Our PT Turbo offers just that and more. Overtaking other vehicles is no longer a chore. No, it has indeed become a pleasure to leave others standing in place. Here, on the Autobahns of Germany, our Patriot Blue Cruiser feels right at home when it can strut its stuff at 100mph plus. My wife is now happy we waited too.

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  Average - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Ralph turker - April 19 - 2:00 am

  4 cyinder front wheel drive some automatics. It is quite clearly a girls car. It looks the part. That is all.

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  Simply Stunning, Classy. A Elegant Car - 1997 Chrysler Concorde
  By MrLenny - April 18 - 11:27 pm

  My late father purchasrd the Chrysler LX for me. It was so alluring to me. I loved the colour, a Teal-Blue like colour, marvalous! I love to drive my car, had no real problems so far. Um.......it is a wonderful, and spacious vehicle. Love it, adore it, and well, trually a splendid job Chrysler. Its gets a 100!. Some may say different, i love it, and feel it was worth it. If you want a stunning, and large, luxurious vehicle, well get a 1997 Chrysler Concorde LX or LXI. You will see what i am talking about. Bye....

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  Good Car - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Jemn26 - April 18 - 1:11 am

  Purchased with 22410 miles and looks and feels like new....good power for a 4 cylinder.....nice family car