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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  Family Vehicle of the new Mellinium - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By McAdory - June 23 - 2:00 am

  I would highly recommend this as the family car for the new mellinium. It doesnt look like a soccer mom mobile, yet still has a lot of room. It is high enough off the ground so you can see better, yet not so high you have to mountain climb to get in and out of it. The quietness of the driving experience allows you to easily enjoy conversations with those in the second row( I havent had anyone in the third row yet to test that).

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  Rods Pacifica Review - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By r2d24u - June 23 - 2:00 am

  The car when I first looked at it I thought it was small SUV but when I got a closer look I saw how really big it was and when I saw the inside and drove it I knew this was the car for me.

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  Great little car - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By NJB - June 23 - 2:00 am

  This car has been fantastic the only complaint I have is the gas mileage should be better for a 4 cylinder only getting about 16 miles per gallon around town. But car is as solid as a rock I have a 2003 and have had it exactly 1 year and it has been PERFECT.

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  Base Convertible is an amazing value - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Kasia - June 19 - 6:36 am

  I purchased my 05 base convertible for less than $18K. It now has 19,000 miles on it. It is far better built, better looking, and better performing than its modest price would suggest. I average about 28 mpg in mostly highway driving, but the mpg drops dramatically in city cycle driving. Caveats for winter drivers: "SmartGlass" windows freeze in cold weather, and the side defoggers are weak for harsh winter conditions. Overall, a great value!

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  Love it - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Massamma - June 18 - 10:00 am

  My wife picked this vehicle, and we both like it alot

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  Crossfire is no misfire. - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Dan - June 17 - 10:13 am

  If you own an exotic such as a high end Porsche, criticizing Chrysler for shortcomings in the Crossfire series design is like taking candy from a baby. However, for a fun to drive and great looking car, it is hard to find fault in Chryslers Crossfire. The x- fire has been fun to drive and own: I am already thinking about adding a roadster to the roster. Good going, Daimler-Chrysler!

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  Best car ever - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Garnier - June 14 - 12:33 pm

  Use to own Mercedes S500 and SL600. This is really better than expected for a very reasonable price regarding equipments

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  Its the BEST! - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By AS - June 13 - 8:13 am

  I just recently purchased this car and Im in heaven - I LOVE to drive it!! It is extremely comfortable, has a ton of power and rides very smooth! Its loaded with extras like steering wheel mounted radio controls, dual zone climate control, programmable garage door opener - lots of storage space in the center consoles, too. The third row seat has plenty of room even for adults which is unusual in a crossover or SUV. The step in height is great which makes it easy to get kids in and out of car seats. The only thing I wish it had standard was a back up sensor - the visibility from the back window is less than Im used to.

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  DYNAMITE CROSSFIRE - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By JON GARON - June 12 - 10:00 am

  tHIS CAR IS AS GOD AS ANY MERCEDES I HAVE EVER OWNED AND A TON BETTER THAN A LEXUS

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  driving experience - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By wonton - June 12 - 10:00 am

  fun driving machine.draws attention to styling.handles great on corners.recommend highly