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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  our new P.T. - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By carl franco - September 30 - 10:00 am

  pleasently surprised by the fit and finish....also handles very well,rides good (has touring suspension)...its a fun car to drive, and the only thing that looks like it is another P.T.

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  Best car that I have ever driven - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By NoVa Driver - September 30 - 10:00 am

  I have been driving my 300C for the past two weeks. Simply outstanding. Great performance (save for the gas mileage -- but I am still breaking the engine in), great ride, and definitely catches peoples attention. All of the folks who have taken a drive with me say that the passenger seats have plenty of room and are very comfortable.

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  Great Car - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By JDM1 - September 30 - 10:00 am

  I have owned a e320 Mercedes and this is comparable. The ride is exactly the same. A much better value. Everybody talks and looks at this car. Thrilled with the car.

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  best buy in class - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By mnfraser - September 30 - 10:00 am

  I have been looking at used M5s, CTS-Vs, and the 300C. The CTS-V is 90% of the car of an M5 for 2/3 the price - and the 300C is 90% of the car at 2/3 the price of the CTS-V (ok, 80% of the engine, at 340 hp vs 400 for the CTS-V, but 95% or more when it comes to features, handling and styling). I have a few small build problems, such as the center console not being bolted into place upon purchase, and a sticky radio tuning button. Be warned that the gas mileage is much more like 15 to 20 mpg than the 18 to 25 advertised on the sticker. I paid $1,500 over msrp. All in all, a fine car, and nearly 30 days in, I would buy it again.

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  LUXURY - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Kenneth Pangborn - September 30 - 10:00 am

  The 300 is more comfortable than a Deville. It handles like a European sports touring sedan with the BMW on any mountain road. Stingy on gasoline. Is built tight as a battleship. And mechanically is superb. Safety features are excellent. And all for a price competitive with a similarly equipped Taurus or Carolla. Chrysler seems to be back on track.

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  150000 miles on original battery - 2001 Chrysler LHS
  By TW - September 26 - 4:28 pm

  Best car I have owned. I have driven this thing 150,000 miles and it has only had 2 malfunctions. Shift Cable broke which I discovered was a design flaw in the cable. Also had to replace the Control Module. Still have the original battery though. Love to drive this car on the highway. I hugs the curves and holds speed through the mountain roads. I cant find a car that gives this styling, features and ride.

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  Still smiling - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Michael - September 25 - 8:33 am

  This car is fun to own. Performance is very good although it needs a 5th gear in the auto box. There is almost no road or engine noise at any speed. Reliability so far has been perfect (7500 miles). It rides and handles well and is comfortable inside. Mileage is good for performance - 22 around town and 27 on the Interstate.

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  My Chrysler 300 Touring model - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Charles Kangas - September 24 - 5:40 pm

  The only problem Ive had is the radio quit after a fer miles. The dealer replaced the radio but it took two weeks.

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  VALUE - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By DAVID WOYTHAL - September 24 - 2:50 am

  I think it is one well-built car and definitely a great value for the money. It has plenty of power when needed and when driven sensibly gets great gas mileage for a 4000 lb.vehicle. It is by far the best Chrysler vehicle I have ever owned, and I have been buying Chrysler products since 1972.The paint and fit and finish were outstanding. Definitely a big winner in my book.

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  I LOVE IT - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By omarturner - September 23 - 10:00 am

  The PT Cruiser does not only look cool it drives amazing ! I love it so much I am so glad to have bought it, it is like a sports car with substance and affordability!!!!