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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  Excellent Car - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Baba LaMuch - December 23 - 10:00 am

  Well done German-American car

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  Fabulous Value - Great Car - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By spdyfngrzzz - December 23 - 10:00 am

  I love this car! Fun to drive and very very comfortable. Fabulous value for the price.

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  This is IT! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Chrysler Terrifica - December 23 - 10:00 am

  Never thought Id want to trade my Expedition until I saw this ride. Took 6 months, but I finally test drove and never stepped back into my SUV. Didnt settle for anything less than ALL the extras and so glad we didnt, well have this one til it dies. We drove through a couple other "top end" dealerships looking for a car for the in-laws and at both places salesmen came out and looked it over inside and out and told us how great it is... like we didnt know!

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  The Eye Catcher - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Rugrats - December 23 - 10:00 am

  Since buying the Pacifica in July my wife and I have received more queries and complements about the Pacifica than any car we ever driven before. We only hope everyone gets a chance to drive the Pacifica and discover what we did. It handles better than any other car we test drove. The E-Class suspension makes the handling of the car superior to any other SUV in its class. The Pacifica offers a smooth and quiet ride. It is comfortable and has plenty of space for groceries, golf bags, or strollers. Having now own the car for three months now, our biggest problem is keeping our milage down. It really is that nice to drive.

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  sebring lxi - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By sebring559 - December 23 - 10:00 am

  bought this car as a used car.we just love this car it is so much fun to drive. we love the leather seats and the handling. we are very hppy with this car the looks and the performance

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  Another Hemi - Man - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By BIG C - December 21 - 9:53 am

  Ive had my car about 3 weeks now and I want to thank Edmunds...went into the dealership with the TMV price inside my head and drove out with a 300C at over $1200 lower than that. The old saying knowledge is power!! I got the metallic black..tinted the windows...slapped some deep dish 20s on there...my buddies says it looks like a mob car..lol..needless to say I love it....THX again!!

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  ahead of its time - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By kahh123 - December 17 - 11:20 am

  overall very pleased. the vehicle is clearly ahead of the crowd..plus i love all the stares

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  I love my - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By ymilsis - December 13 - 10:23 pm

  P.T.is cute, I adore it. The performance, fuel economy, different look and more. I love all about it. She is an original! I always had luxurious European cars with big engines. I also spent lots of money for them. With P.T. I get the same pleasures for a lot less money. It is not as powerful engine as my previous cars, but I cant ask for more. Still, it is fast when you need to get out of the way, and that is what counts! With P.T. I am getting luxury and economy all in one cute little funky wagon! P.T. is a great women car! I am a female professional and P.T. makes me look good.

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  Fresh Yet Classic Styling - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By ek - December 13 - 8:56 pm

  I enjoy everything about this very uniquely styled fun to drive instant classic. So many other cars look common. This is a special automobile inside and out. Wow! A blast to drive. There is no other car in the world I would rather own.

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  Best New Car - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Jelvidge - December 12 - 5:40 pm

  I picked my car on line. For the price I paid, it was by far, my best car buying experience. I love the unique body style. I love the 0 to 60 in about 8 seconds. I love the roomy head and leg room. I love the visability, with no real blind spots. On line I was able to see if it was in my price range, and figure what my payment should be. I actually enjoyed my car buying experience. People frequently have made positive comments on the car, style, color (cool vanilla). There was no having to adjust to a new car, it was like it was made to but you right into the perfect comfort zone.