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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  2004 Pacifica 4WD - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By benneyb - December 29 - 5:33 am

  Overall, a very good vehicle that does not live up to the "designed/influenced etc. by Mercedes" line the dealer trys to push. Excellent for 4 people, but flipping the middle seats down to get 2 additional in the back is a problem. Decent performance held back by 4 spd transmission and peaky motor. Very good handling until limited suspension travel used up, with a thud. Very little stowage space with all seats up, decent with rear seats folded. Outstanding in snow and poor conditions (4WD model). Overall, a feeling of lack of refinement. Others likely not as demanding nor push as hard as me - YMMV.

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  I love it - 1997 Chrysler Sebring
  By Kayleigh - December 28 - 9:51 pm

  This was my first car. I bought it from a previous owner and I was soo happy with it. Not too shabby for a first car I must say. Very fast, and great looking. The only thing I didnt like was the front bottom panel got really bent from being so low to the ground. The only reason I am getting rid of it is because Im going to need something better in the snow to go to college with. Im going to miss this car sooo much, it has never left me stranded and Im going to sell it to a family member so it wont be going too far. Buy this car if you ever come across one, you wont be disappointed.

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  Better than a Park Avenue - 1999 Chrysler LHS
  By George - December 27 - 8:44 pm

  I bought the 1999 LHS in October 1999 and compared it to the Lincoln and Buick. The ugly Park Avenue was $6000 more with fewer amenities. The Trunk is cavernous and flat unlike the Lincoln. The ride is great. The sound system incredible. It is the best looking luxury car in the past 10 years. It is a wonderful highway car with plenty of power.

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  Electrical Problems up the Wazzooooo - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Kalchaser - December 26 - 10:00 am

  I have had my Pacifica for a little over seven months. The first couple were great. I have had nothing but problems with it lately. In the last couple months I have put in a new dash cluster, new headlights, and a new AC/heat unit (because the display panel went out). It also broke down on me during a short roadtrip, something with the air in-take or out-take. While it looks nice, it is not a cheap car and it should not have this many problems. Yes, everything so far has been under warranty, but as much as I drive the warranty isnt going to last that much longer. Then I will be screwed, electrical problems are not cheap.

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  Epiphany - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By truebeliever1 - December 26 - 10:00 am

  I pulled up to Budget Car Rental and saw the 300C perched regally on the lawn. I had booked a regular rental but I asked the girl if I could upgrade to that good looking car out front. When I sat in the car I was blown away by the quality for the money. 10 minutes later I was out of the airport grounds and hitting the gas. This thing flys! I cant describe how much fun the next 24 hours were except to say that I was saddened when I had to turn it in. During that time I had no less than 12 stangers come up and comment on what a bad @#^ car this was and what kind of car was it. I was not in the market for a new car but I am going out this week to buy one.

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  Luv my Baby - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Dorothy - December 25 - 3:26 pm

  Great Manueverability, fun and sporty, this is a great car to drive. I get questions and receive comments from other people all the time. There is only one thing I would change and that is the cup holder, it is not driver friendly and has broken once already. Otherwise it is a great investment.

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  No way - 2016 Chrysler 200
  By John - December 24 - 4:40 am

  Glad I rented this car first. I was thinking about getting one, but now there is no way. If you get one better get use to "Key Fob not Detected" The push button start is fine when and if it detects the key fob. The ride noisy and uncomfortable, acceleration is terrible it hesitates. I would never rent one again.

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  Love my bad boy, so far. - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By drywallguy - December 24 - 2:50 am

  My last two cars were Maximas. They are fabulos cars. But when I first laid eyes on the C coupled with the motor and price, I was sold. Dont think you can buy this much car for the $$$. I dont put that many miles on my car so it will be awhile before I can comment on reliability and build quality. If its anywhere near that of my Nissans, this car will have turned the page on North American automobiles.

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  Problems - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By Tom Van Sickle - December 22 - 1:02 pm

  I had 200 miles on car and was out of town when the passenger right window would not go back up. Was on a cold Saturday and could get no help. The 800 number refered me to some window repair places that I was to pay to have car repaired..could not find repair places. The car was taken to the dealership..they got the window up and ordered part..had to wait 3 days. One week after the "repair" the same window is doing the same thing. It is also difficult to get key out of ignition if the shift is not perfectly in place..have to jiggle shift to get key out. I traded in a 2002 Seabring and wish I still had it!!!!!

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  Great, fun car! - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Nanc - December 21 - 10:00 am

  Have had car for 2 months now and have had no bad experiences. Gas milage is as promised, the turbo gives all the power you would expect and what a good looking car! I got the chrome package and it adds a lot to the look. I would highly recommend this vehicle.