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 - 2011 Chrysler 200
  By oljapfan - May 11 - 1:41 pm

  First off I am glad to finally find some other people loving this car because I think it has been far to trash talked about . Sure if I had 6 to 10K more to spend on a car I would of looked at other cars such as the Infinity or BMW or whatever pricy cars are out there. I have had 5 different Japan cars and when I first went to this Chrysler/Dodge dealer I didnt really expect anything at all. Interior design is great and classy , V6 283hp engine is very nice and sounds great.

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  POOR WORKMANSHIP AT ITS BEST - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By lemonsbeware - May 4 - 9:10 pm

  I am about to trade my 06 Pacifica in. Since I bought it: left front axle broke as I was leaving a parking space, emissions leak x 2, ABS malfunctions, lose power steering after driving in the rain, car shuts off immediately after sharp left turns, replaced struts. Now: front and rear motor bearings must be replaced, entire oil pan needs to be replaced, belt tensioner needs to be replaced, AND THIS DOESNT COVER THE OTHER EXHISTING PROBLEMS. I am a single mom of two. I do not drive like a lunatic and I use it to run local errands take me and the kids to and from school and work. This car has cost me so much money it makes me want to cry.

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  Best car built - 1994 Chrysler Concorde
  By chips0735 - April 29 - 3:30 pm

  I leased the 94 Concord for three years then paid it out and kept it. I never was a Chrysler fan, but this has got to be the best car they ever built. We have always got over 30 mpg (imperial gallons) highway and 20-25 city. It has the 3.5 engine which I feel is BULLET PROOF as it now has 353,243 kms and does not use any oil between changes. I have always used an oil stabilizer at each change and am sure that this car is good for at least another 100000 kms. Good looking, comfortable and the wide stance makes it a dream to drive at high speeds.My wife would be lost without the onboard computer.

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  Amazing - 2011 Chrysler 300
  By bobp11 - April 28 - 1:46 pm

  I ordered a V-6 Limited version with luxury and safety packages. Went for the big 20 inch wheels and upgraded sound system too. This car is by far the finest I have ever owned and driven in its class. It has power, is very quiet, handles great, and is loaded with a lot of electronic features. The exterior styling along with the LED daytime running lights are exceptional. The sounds system also rocks! My 17 year old son even likes it and says the big wheels make the car look very sporty, yet executive like. It rides like a dream and Im getting much better than advertised gas mileage so far - about 25 in mixed driving and 31+ on the highway. I have nothing negative to report about the new 300

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  Love The 200-But Cuts Off &Wont Start-Only 600 Miles - 2011 Chrysler 200
  By 200fan - April 18 - 12:11 am

  We love our 200-inside out!Wherever we go people turn around & look at it to see what kind of car it is.We took it to the shop because it was cutting off on us while riding on the highway & at stoplights.They couldnt find anything & said it must be water in the gas.Funny thing is, we have a 2005 Stratus & we never had any problems like this no matter where we buy gas.So, we avoid "that" particular station & make a trip for our grandsons surgery.About 2:30 pm we thought we could leave to drive home.We tried starting our 200 for 45 min. with no success.We called our dealer which was 30 min. away & we road back home on a wrecker.We are nervous now that this will be an ongoing problem.

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  Never again - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By fayga - April 15 - 10:54 pm

  Had it 3 years put in over 3500 bucks into it one week after driving it off the lot had some silly light sensor go out. I was not very happy with the quality of the car, the last straw was the reclining seat part broke so it was a hazard to drive thinking it was going to pop out of the lock i had made since it was going to cost over 500 to get it fixed.

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  Great First Car - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By bm0rri5 - April 13 - 2:34 am

  Im a 17 year old and I received this car as a gift from parents. I got the car in November of 2010, with 39,800 miles. In March 2011, I got rid of it (to get a Range Rover). within those 4mo, I had already put 5000+ miles on it. I loved to drive this gas guzzling, 425HP beast. Im a dragracer, been doing it for 8yrs, and I must say, this car will pin you back in the seat, hard. No matter what speed you floor it at!! Within the 4mo, of owner ship I only had two problems. 1) Sometimes the AC would start acting funny & not run properly. 2) Once or twice it wouldnt start on the first try, but would on the second try. Other than, I 100000% recommend this car, to ANYBODY. Its a blast to drive!

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  Year later still better than expected - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By mhoffman2 - April 12 - 11:35 am

  Wrote review year ago. Now with 15000 more miles, still no problems. Just washed and waxed,and vehicle with white paint still gleams like new. Now that sun is out, I dropped top, no problems. Paid $12000 for Touring model in Feb, 2009, now worth about the same price or possibly more. No regrets. May turn out to be one of better automobile purchases, even if it does suffer some future breakdown. For now,EVERYTHING is good.

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  Good, and Reliable - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By tman24 - April 11 - 12:15 pm

  I have owned this car for a year and a half. The previous owners treated it like crap, as in the oil looked like it had never been changed and the brakes ate the rotors, and there were cigarette burns in the seats. I got it for 3500 in 2009. I cleaned it out, changed the oil and brakes. Since then i havent had any problems(short of vandalism) with the car. I bought it with 54k on it. It now has 75k and it feels better actually. You cant even feel the engine running, and shifts are smooth. I do all my own maintenance so i now know the car like the back of my hand. I feel the engine will last me at least 200k(my grandma sold hers with no problems at 150k).

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  Disappointed - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By kcomstock - April 11 - 1:43 am

  The tires didnt last very long. I hate the cruise control! Very disappointed that my car worked great, and then stranded me. I find out that me along with 25,000k other owners have been stuck because car gets stuck in "Park" due to cheap plastic pin part not made from aluminum. Chrysler wont do a recall. I would like to know who to complain to. It has cost me work time. Very unexpected to have your car work perfectly then just not work at all. Im glad my college son did not take it as we discussed for his college admit day. He would have been stuck hours away from home. Chrysler wants to charge $500 for parts/labor for their mistake. They keep this in stock because of so many!