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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  Im a - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By mgkeane - February 24 - 10:00 am

  We looked at all of the "crossover" class of vehicles, including the Acura MDX, Lexus RX330 and Volvo. Pacifica beat them in our estimation, hands down. Its a great family vehicle, and a SUPERB alternative to "stodgy" minivans and "rolling" SUVs. Test drive this car today!!

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  Chrysler Sebring Platnum Series Coupe - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By G. Sweene - February 24 - 3:33 am

  Steering wheel blocks speedometer and tachometer guages. High rear makes difficult parking due to inability to see rear/trunk from interior.

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  Brand new and loving it! - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Happy In Blue - February 22 - 6:30 pm

  This is a fun car to dive. It has loads of room. Head room, leg room, front and back seats. All the seats except the drivers fold so you can easly pack long items.

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  DO NOT BUY THIS VAN - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Pokey - February 21 - 11:17 pm

  DO NOT BUY, IT IS DANGEROUS! My sliding door opens on its own...came out from eating at a steak house and my van door was open, pulled in my garage the sliding door opened on its own....the radio and USB is crap, it works when it wants to....this van will cause your nerves to be shot...because you dont know when you come out of the grocery store if everything you left in the van will be stolen because the door is wide open...to many problems....or at least mine is a big yellow lemon and Chrysler wont do a thing for me!

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  Baby Blue Sebring - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By Brandi - February 20 - 11:20 pm

  This is a very stylish car inside and out, it is very roomy but material quality could have been better. Standard features did not include anti lock breaks which is a probably the worst thing aboout the car. Overall, it is a very fun car to drive. The sebring coupe is very underated. It has luxury styling with a smooth ride for a low price!

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  Very Happy at 38K, except... - 2003 Chrysler Voyager
  By e-doc - February 20 - 6:08 pm

  ...a water leak somewhere in the dash. Im a guy who recently inherited a new family via marriage. Went from a Toyota T-100 to the 2003 Voyager. Got a previously leased one for a song. I use it for multiple purposes...commuting (25 miles each way), travel, hauling. I was surprised! Actually has a sporty feel for a mini-van. Handles pretty well, I guess because of the short wheel base. Decent pick-up for a mini-van. Clean dash layout. Comfortable, too! Heavy seats dont bother me. Great value for the money. I compared it to the Town and Country the latter was more luxurious but lumbered like a land yacht. Voyager is basic mini-van with value and so far, reliability (except for that leak).

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  pretty good car - 1996 Chrysler Concorde
  By frmr SuperTurbo drvr - February 20 - 5:03 am

  I bought the 96 Concorde LXi to replace my old Supra Turbo because my little boy is getting bigger. The car has pretty good performance consider its size. Ive driven it for 30000 miles since I got it and replaced: rack & pinion, rear break rotor and pads, front brake pads, four tires, rear struts and thats it. For its mileage and age, I would say it is pretty reliable. Engine is still smooth and powerful. All features work. Pretty good car.

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  Cant Find Anything to Replace It! - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By Anne - February 20 - 1:17 am

  One of the best cars Ive ever owned. (And the first American car -- always been a Japanese car buyer.) Great styling. Huge trunk. Comfy front and rear seats. Lots of luxury for the price. Aside from routine maintenance, virtually no repair costs. GREAT bang for the buck. I sorta want a new car now, this time AWD. Thought the 300C would be it, but I hate the skimpy windows. Guess Ill hang on to my beloved 300M a while longer -- FWD isnt great on hills in snow, but weve had a fairly mild winter! If you can find this used in good condition w/ low mileage, dont hesitate. Its a WONderful car. Motor Trend Car of the Year in 99 and it deserved it.

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  Its fun - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Kate - February 19 - 11:33 pm

  I love the car on a whole. Except for when it rains, it sounds like i have marbles puncing off the roof.

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  i love it! - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By very nice!! - February 19 - 7:42 pm

  i purchased this car for 12k with 20k miles. i could not be more please with this car. it runs great, the gas mileage is very good, and the ride is very smooth. the inside has plenty of leg room (front & back). very fun to drive!! its a keeper!