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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  2007 Crosfire Roadster - 2007 Chrysler Crossfire
  By James - December 19 - 7:14 pm

  Only had my 2007 Roadster a few months now but its been a blast to drive, holds the road like glue and very good power. I have the auto with paddle shifter and like it very much, much better than clunky stick and clutch. Only one small problem, I get battery rundown occasionly when I leave the interior lights on auto. Not sure whats going on there, have to get it in before the warranty exp. Other than that, no probelems and a very good value with the big discounts being offered. Purchased for $19M with 6000 miles.

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  Nice Sebring - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By Commuter - December 19 - 5:41 pm

  My Sebring Touring has 4000 miles on it, averaging 30 mpg in mixed suburban and highway driving. It is a pleasant car with stability control, bluetooth, hard drive Sirrius radio and power driver seat, out the door for $19K. Acceleration is decent. The upright driving position is good and visibility fine. Controls are all easy to reach, and the gated shifter makes it easy to reach the gear I want without looking down. I am using the Sebring as a commuter vehicle 45 miles each way, and my fellow carpoolers have commented without being asked on the roomy rear seat, a real strength of this car as compared to many of its competitors. (I know, I sat in all of them.) No issues so far.

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  Great all around vehicle - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Watermaster - December 18 - 11:11 am

  I was ready to trade my van for a convertible sports car but, with a teenage son who plays drums and needed transportation to college, I gave into a large capacity vehicle. I made a great choice. The Pacifica holds a ton of stuff while providing the feel of a luxury sedan. It drives great, has an outstanding dashboard and electronics inventory, leather, wood trim etc. I can also get 22 bags of mulch into it any time I need to.

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  First and last - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Shawn - December 18 - 1:26 am

  My ABS light kept coming on and I found out that my tire sensors were malfunctioning. That was $600 worth of heartache. The breaking system has always been loud and annoying and there are clicks and clacks in the axles. By the way, never drive over 40mph and lower the back windows. I havent studied enough physics to figure that one out yet. Neither has Chryslers engineers. There is also a bad blind spot in the drivers rearview. Also, my passenger side low beam light has blown 3 times in the last 6 months. They only cost $20 a pop. Oh well.

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  fired up in saphire - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By MICHAELinSF - December 15 - 10:00 am

  outside the A/C not working upon delivery (minor problem which the dealership bent over backwards to correct), the vehicle is a dream to have and drive. This vehicle WANTS to be driven fast! The response from curious onlookers stating "WoW" is overwhelming. Who cares that she is short a few horse power, she still has the speed and hugs the road as good if not better than some of her competition!

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  REMS ROAD TRIP - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By REMS - December 15 - 10:00 am

  Took on a short road trip to Palm Springs CA. from Seattle WA. I was not impressed with the gas mileage I thought it should have been higher for the size of car. The car was fine to ride in as long as you took a break every hour or so. It had lots of get up for passing. The car was quite for a convertable and with the top up was very confortable. I do not like driving this car in the rain however as the backend is light. The overall road trip was nice and had no suprises.

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  Good, Bad, and Ugly - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By Renee - December 14 - 6:59 pm

  The good: my 2000 300M drive and handling on the highway and around corners is great! the bad is occassionally my interior lights for no reason start to flash on and off which can be very distrubing when you are drivig on the highway at night and you look like an emergency vehicle racing down the highway also ive had to replace my center caps 3 times at 20.00 a replacement my roters have been replaced 2 twice the weather stripping around the doors has been replaced also the door lock motor is sprung the speakers have blowen, the heater blows cold air, transmission and oil leak (its now at the shop) the ugly the car paint is pealing terribly but I love this car! thanks Chrysler

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  So far, so good (knock on wood) - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Bob - December 13 - 6:40 am

  Weve had this car for only 2 weeks but so far it has been a very fun car to drive and has met our expectations. But since we got it, we sure do see a lot of other silver PT Cruisers around town. ;-) We wanted a fun small car to drive around instead of the standard small car fare.

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  Nice car - 2000 Chrysler Cirrus
  By twokanslam - December 10 - 11:26 pm

  Ive heard people say stuff about this car but I like it it looks nice and drives good. I wish they still made this car. I just would like it to have better gas mileage

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  2008 Aspen - 2008 Chrysler Aspen
  By Adamsafe - December 9 - 3:58 pm

  Replaced a Tahoe with this. Solid vehicle, but its not a Tahoe. Transmission not as smooth as GM. Seat construct OK. Ride is nice, power is there, but lags due to transmission. Nice features, interior. Overall, good value for the price, especially in comparison to Tahoe.