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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  Great Car - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By mrizzi - September 5 - 10:00 am

  The ride is firm but controlled. No harshness is transmitted into the cabin. The body is tight and there arent any squeaks or rattles. The doors close with solid "thunk". Chrysler has finally paid attention to quality as well as design.

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  yes, its got a hemi - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By hemi1 - September 5 - 10:00 am

  Its big, its fast and beautiful.

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  Enjoy it - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By wayne - September 1 - 7:46 pm

  Fun roomy and distinctive. I have other autos ie Mustang. We just enjoy the car fun for our family, a retro appeal and comfy.

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  I love my PT Cruiser Convertible! - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Robin - August 30 - 12:10 pm

  We were not in the market for a PT Cruiser at all when we began to car shop. We stumbled across ours and fell in love! It is so much fun to drive and easy to maintain.

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  Chrysler 300 Hemi - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Jerry Hearn - August 25 - 3:40 pm

  Most fun with a new car since the 60s. Plenty of power when you need it. Turns heads like it was a sports car.

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  Have your cake and eat it, too! - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By TexasTriathlete - August 20 - 10:23 pm

  First driving impressions are that this feels like a luxury car. But stomp on the pedal or push deep into a corner and youll think its a sports car. Great combination of rich features & high performance. Ive taken a few long road trips across Texas and you can eat up the miles at 120 plus mph while your passengers sleep comfortably. The interior room and truck space are incredible for a car with this level of performance. The mechanic at my local dealer says he rarely sees one come in for repairs, which is a good sign. Note that synthetic oil is a $75 - $100 affair, and it eats gas and tires (every 15k miles at $300 each), but even after paying my $$$ I think its worth every penny!

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  My dream car - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Lee - August 17 - 9:16 pm

  I love this baby! I even had a policeman stop me and tell me what a great looking hot car this was! This car rides like a dream. Very comfortable seats and lots of bells and whistles to play with. Only drawback is no trunk space....maybe just enough to put in a small overnight duffle bag. This is one great hot car!!!!

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  To heck with a Lexus - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Dave Thomas - August 17 - 10:00 am

  One test drive and I was sold. Better than most 40K plus SUVs. Handling is superb, performance is above average and styling is unbelievable. I got mine loaded and well I could not imagine what more they could offer. Incredible Vehicle, fantastic value.

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  Too much fun!! - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By artf - August 17 - 10:00 am

  We traded in our 1997 Sebring Conv. There is no comparison. Everything we did not like is fixed! The car is beautiful, fun to drive, and better than ever!! The LTD, top of the line has everything you could want in options. It is an incredible car.

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  Chryslers come back !!!!!!! - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By LOU - August 15 - 12:26 pm

  The only flaw is the air condition unit is weak! Other then that this is perfect car!