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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  Sebring Sedan - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By kmumm - December 7 - 10:00 am

  LX with the V6 is a blast on those twisty turns in the country.

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  Awesome Vehicle - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By leftyjim - December 7 - 10:00 am

  This cars invoice was 33,800. I got it for 29,900. What a deal.

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  A Bargain Mid-size Car - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By Oldengineer - December 5 - 2:38 am

  I recently purchased an 05 Sebring Touring-Signature Edition. For the money, Camry and Accord couldnt even get close on price. Quality, fit, and finish are excellent. Car has the 2.7 V6, giving it decent performance and excellent fuel economy. Ride and handling are very good. The body styling is very eye-catching and looks great in a dark blue mettalic color. The car is very quiet on the interstate and solidy built. The dash styling, while improved on the 05, still doesnt look as modern as Accord or Camry. However, since, with rebates and the special package, the car cost about $8k less than a comparable Japanese car, I couldnt pass it up.

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  Zero Defects playcar - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By Ralph Robinson - December 4 - 4:58 pm

  Have had a Sebring Convertible for 6 months and have had zero defects. It is a terrific looking car, inside and out, and turns heads. I am not looking for a big power car and find the 2.7 liter engine perfectly acceptable for my normal driving.It is basically a fun/play car for me. Handling has been fine At my age I dont push a car to the limit anymore!

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  A real surprise ... - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Joe Haraida - December 1 - 10:56 pm

  It was time to trade in our 2000 Grand Caravan. My wife and I were looking for Minivan or SUV that would be roomy enough for our family and an occasional guest or two. While web surfing we saw the Pacifica and it caught both of our eyes. We went to a dealer for a test drive and were hooked! Bought it that day! It had the room we needed and the style and comfort we wanted!

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  very dependable bad gas mileage - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By jopaul - December 1 - 8:10 pm

  its a good car, very practical and dependable. GT not worth the xtra money. Wish it got better gas mileage and handled a little better. Not a very comfortable car on a trip.

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  Funtastic - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By JoeCos - December 1 - 10:00 am

  What a great vehicle. Fun to drive headturner! Wasnt sure coming out of a Volvo S-80 and a BMW 5 series prior to that but absolutely content, very thrilled with this exceptional vehicle. Luxury, performance, styling and value, great package!

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  Fabulous - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By somms - December 1 - 10:00 am

  I cant believe how well this vehicle handles. You dont have the roll of a higher SUV and it corners very well. Smooth is the best way to describe the ride, my family and I are in love with this car.

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  fun from Catonsville - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By greta brooks - December 1 - 10:00 am

  Excellent handling, excellent comfort from a previous Lincoln owner this is the perfect autombile for a crossover.

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  Great vehicle - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By satisfiedpacowner - December 1 - 10:00 am

  Chrysler definitely has a winner. Very comfortable for four people, but in a pinch, can transport up to six. I took five (tall) teenagers to Houston from Dallas without a whole lot of complaining. Theres more than meets the eye when it comes to room behind the third seat. The outward curvature of the lift gate allowed more than expected luggage--but will need to use luggage rack for longer trips. Gas mileage is getting better. We have enjoyed our Pacifica. Its definitely not a mom-mobile.