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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  Great Fun to Drive---a real winner - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By don canzoneri - January 30 - 10:00 am

  Great to see an american car that is this unique. Fun to drive, fast, and a real head turner. I have owned Jaguars, Mercedes, and spent about 1/2 of this car, and enjoy it every bit as much

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  The future - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Bronson - January 21 - 2:00 am

  This car is the future of US automobiles. Powerful, safe and more politically correct than a big old SUV. It looks prett smart too. It follows a prototype Mercedes Benz developed a few years ago that suggested that there was a gap in the market for demand for a cross between an SUV and a station wagon. Faster, safer and better looking etc. It will allow mini-van drivers to not look like there driving a bus. More power to their elbow. It looks set to be a big hit for DCX.

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  M. Thompsons 300 - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By M. Thompson - January 19 - 8:46 pm

  This is easy to handle automobile and very good gas mileage. It has room for my family of four and we just love the ride. This car turns head with its stylish look and the wheels are so nice.

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  What a Beauty-Get Ready for OOs & AHs - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Barbara Engel - January 19 - 5:26 pm

  This vehicle has been total fun so far. Ride is big, solid feeling and safe. The comparisons with the M/B SLK have not been lost on this owner, especially the fact that they are made on similar platforms in the same German factory. * Not overly important to us

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  The SRT-T/Dynamito! - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By paul herriott - January 17 - 11:36 pm

  This Marque is fantastic...abso...fantastic, unbelievable...40% superior to my 2005 300C-Hemi...in all respects...every feature has been improved...incredibly...The best value on the road today...paul herriott

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  Great Sports Car - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By ChryslerFan - January 16 - 10:00 am

  Just drove it home, a great looking light blue two door coupe. Amazing looks, inside and out. Drives good, but could use more power in the high RPMs. I love the interior design which has a strong, powerful look. Good cargo room in back but not tons. Buy one soon they sell fast, some dealers will get only 8 per year, others will get less. Amazing car!!

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  Fun to own and drive - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Fred Loeffler - January 12 - 4:30 am

  Car just makes you feel good when you drive it and no matter how many there are each on turn heads. It does not look like every other car on the road. I like that.

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  Awesome Car - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Wolverine909 - January 10 - 10:00 am

  I Have the PT Limited edition Very smooth drive, handles great Acceleration is pretty good, not as good as the Turbo.

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  Its about time! - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Wesley R - January 9 - 2:53 pm

  I woke up this morning and had that proud feeling that I did something for my family. Just acouple days ago I got one of the most beautiful vehicles I have ever had so happy with its comforts and style. I feel so safe on the road Its the absalute smoothest vehicle that we tried family of 5.

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  Love my PT - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Janice - January 9 - 12:50 pm

  Ive done road trips and lots of local driving with nothing but pleasure. Im only sorry Biloxi is gone.