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 Crash survival - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Ontario Glen - January 4 - 4:00 am

  This is the first Chrysler that Ive owned and I loved every minute of it... until Aug 31 when I got T-Boned. After that I Love AND Respect it. The car performed exactly as it should. I was hit by a van running a stop sign. A square hit to the rear drivers door and rear tire. The car started to spin until the ESP kicked in and straightened it out, because of that the car went straight into the ditch and didnt slide sideways and roll! The rear seat was contacted by the door panel but no breach into the passenger compartment. No windows broke. This is an example of excellence in design. Thank-you Chrysler

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  Good Look but poor suspension - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By bison - January 3 - 11:15 pm

  I purchased my convertible new and enjoy driving it with the top down but it needs better suspension for bumpy roads. The engine is quiet but having a convertible makes it noisy. I have had some leaking from the top and rear defroster not working. I have 35000 miles and it has been reliable. But I am disappointed of the poor resale value of these vehicles. Chysler has a good visual look but in- town ride is rough.

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  Sports car with style - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By MikeCub - January 3 - 1:45 pm

  The car is a little bigger then a Mustang. Its more like a Camaro. Fun to drive, 28mpg on hwy. Car feels solid and looks nice.

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  Needs improvement - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By Mar - January 3 - 1:06 pm

  Well first of all, I bought my car used, the a/c vapourcore has a leak so I cannot use my a/c. The cost of fixing it is $1100.00. I live in Florida and a/c is necessary. I have come to find out that, the a/c unit is a common problem in Chrysler automobiles. The rear right window does not work and my trunk button on the inside does not work as well. The alignment needs to be fixed as well. Other than all that I like the car, the space is great. I believe they need to improve their a/c unit in their automobile.

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  Cross Country Ride - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By CSB - January 2 - 10:32 pm

  We bought our 2017 Chrysler Pacifica on May 5, 2016 from the Baumann Auto Group store in Fremont, Ohio. We bought the Touring L model. On August 1, 2016, we took a ”shake-down” trip to Denver, Colorado, driving from Tiffin, Ohio to Denver, a trip of about 1200 miles on the interstate. On the trip west we averaged 70 miles an hour and averaged 32 miles per gallons. While there we drove up to the Trail Ridge Road in the Rocky Mountain National Park and experienced no difficulties with the car. On our return home trip drove 75 miles per hour and the mileage dropped to 29 mpg. In November of 2016, we drove to Florida and again never experienced any problems. We were very pleased with the performance of the car.

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  Great car! - 1997 Chrysler Sebring
  By Larryran - January 1 - 3:20 pm

  Purchased new in 1997. Most economical vehicle (total cost of ownership) I have ever owned. Now has 120000 miles. Initial Michelin tires lasted 75000 miles, and still had over 1/8 inch tread. One alignment, at 100000 miles - after being hit HARD from rear (knocked 50 feet from a dead stop!). (Checked every 30000 - always in spec.) First tune-up at 100000 miles. Having random teenagers wave and yell "Great car!" to a 50+ man - priceless. Chrysler quality over 5 consecutive vehicles is the reason we purchased a 2000 Grand Voyager for my wife. We will replace that with a Durango in 2005. My Sebring? Looks great, runs great, and no payments. We will be together for a long time to come

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  Dr. Rocket - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Dr Bob - December 31 - 4:19 pm

  I have never owned a real sports car, although I have driven Jags, Porches, Z Cars et al. I did own a Merkur XR4TI for 7 nightmare years. Given that I paid $23,464 for my new Crossfire, I could not be more pleased. It is crisp in response, throaty in exhaust note, and cornors on rails (enough canned cliches?). Entrance and exit take getting used to - unless you are a professional jockey or swimsuit model, in which case size and body stiffness are not a problem. It makes an "old" guy feel young by recalling long coastal drives on winding roads or traversing mountain roads with wine, picnic basket, and an attractive partner. It does not get any better.

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  A Great Vehicle!!! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Cjmath - December 31 - 2:00 am

  My 3rd week of ownership. The finest vehicle I have ever owned, that includes BMW Mercedes etc No complaints. My 1st road trip 800mi was sheer pleasure. The all wheel drive handles well very predictable in icy and snowy conditions. Some have complained about power issues. I do not share that complaint. I live in mountains. Narrow twisting up and down roads are not a problem. It is extremely quiet and a pleasure to drive. The inferno red paint is a real head turner. Only problem is I had to spend $30 to get the license plate bracket to put my LSU Plate up front.

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  Great Car! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By krazeemommy - December 31 - 2:00 am

  We went from a Suburban to the Pacifica. This car is fabulous! I refused to go back to a minivan. We were researching online and were looking at the Volvo XC90 and the Pacifica. We took one look at the Pacifica, did a test drive, and it was over! The Pacifica is a much better deal option for option, feature for feature! We have 4 children. It is amazing, but kids dont fight, they have plenty of room, it is actually a joy to go on road trips now! We have 11,000 miles on it and get an average of 21.2 mpg!

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  Sport Tourer Indeed! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By DrBill313 - December 31 - 2:00 am

  This car excells on the open road. I have a well optioned front drive and have been well pleased. Interior room and comfort are remarkable. The interior lacks height compared to a van or SUV, but I have managed to haul some rather impressive items nonetheless. Handling is exceptional for such a large vehicle. It is quite stable. I have found acceleration sufficient for my needs. This car eats up Interstate miles and keeps you happy while doing so.