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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  a life time fan - 2000 Chrysler Grand Voyager
  By john zaf - November 8 - 10:26 am

  My first Chrysler was an ordinary voyager I bought it second hand. unfortunately the head gasket blew and my drive was ruined from oil so I sold it. my second one was a grand voyager turbo diesel in which the fuel pump and the electrical management system packed up so once again i sold it. my third one which i still have to this day is a Chrysler grand voyager LX and its beautiful and its huge when the seats go down I can even play hockey in the back my friends and family call it the party wagon and it really is so far Ive had no problems with it touch wood. i love it and so do the kids especially the DVD system its like driving around in your living room totally awesome this one is here to stay.

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  After 80000 miles - 1998 Chrysler Sebring
  By Robert W. Porter - November 7 - 4:46 pm

  After 80000 miles and 7 years later, the body is still in excellent shape and the paint still shines. But the tie-rod ends go bad and then break, yes I said break, so you cannot steer when they break and could cause an accident. So have them replaced as soon as you buy one of these cars, or have the owner do it before you buy. The cross over tube in your cooling system deteriorates and needs to be replaced, kind of pricey. The rear defogger hasnt worked since I bought the car. The tranny is geared high so you dont get the full effect of the 168hp V6. And the computer puts the engine at idle once you hit 105mph. Doesnt go any faster unless you can get the rev limiter shut off.

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  Excellent car - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By typool - November 7 - 10:00 am

  My husband and I waited since last yr for this convertible. Absolutely love it!! Very fun to drive, great handling. We have had people follow us to take a closer look. The kids think its cool because we have had lots of honks and whistles. This is a great "us" car...no french fries, happy meals, softball equipment, etc. Others with convertibles have remarked about the hideaway top when it goes down. Trunk space is minimal when the top is down but hey..who cares!! Less clothes to take for those fun weekend getaways!!

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  fun reasonably priced - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By tominator - November 7 - 10:00 am

  its a great car.........some pep, some style lots of wind in the hair

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  Its my wifes if I let her drive it. - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By jeffm - November 7 - 10:00 am

  Just traded a GT Turbo PT 4 door for the GT Turbo PT Ragtop. What a ball to drive. Makes me feel 10 years younger. Handles smartly with very nice pickup. Highway driving is bear tempting and noise level is very good top up or down. Maybe Ill even let her drive it!!

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  Go get yours,& stop whining - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By GJCuff - November 7 - 10:00 am

  Dollar for dollar you just cant beat the price.Try getting something/anything with all the options in the GT high output version,for the money.Any & all complaints about being underpowered,are removed with either of the turbo models.Remember this is a 3400 pound car.As far as gas mileage goes,try driving normal,& youll be suprised.Wait till you feel the new suspension on the GT.

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  1st American car for me in 20 years - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By mitzy - November 7 - 10:00 am

  This is a great car that floats on air. Great mileage and pick up is excellent.

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  WP Signature series - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By Gooderthanamug - November 6 - 9:26 am

  I was impressed right off the bat with the handling and the comfort behind the wheel. The Signature series leather seats and sunroof make this one inexpensive yet elegant sedan

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  I love this car! - 2017 Chrysler 200
  By Dante - November 5 - 3:24 pm

  I love my Chrysler 200S with AWD! It has some great features such as blind spot monitoring and the panoramic sunroof! I am sad they are discontinuing them after 2017! I do not know why people give this car such harsh reviews because its a great car. The acceleration and its road manners make it a pleasure to drive. I love the Uconnect system it is the best in the business. The gas mileage has been great I get up to 40 MPG on the highway and usually around 28 MPG with mixed driving. My only warning is that the backseat headroom is not too great and I think its even worse with the panoramic sunroof option. I love this car so much! I hope you get to have a wonderful experience with it just like I do.

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  Great Ride - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Coolness4me - November 5 - 10:13 am

  I have owned the Pacifica for only 2 or 3 weeks, but from what I can tell there are only 2 slightly bad things about this car/SUV/mini van. Ill cut to the chase and not take up much of your time, the glove box is a little on the small side and Im only getting about 20 mpg. Which actually isnt that bad on a big vehicle with most of the miles being driven in the city. However with the price of gas creeping up on minimum wage, this isnt the car for someone making minimum wage. The interior of this vehicle reminds me of a mercedes benz or a lexus, not the substandard interiors of the other american brand cars I have owned.