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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  My New Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By moondog04 - September 26 - 10:00 am

  Plenty of room, almost as much as my Suburban,(with the 3rd seat down. Quiet, comfortable, and good looking. A nice crossover between a minivan(ugh) and a utility vehicle, with better mileage.

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  2004 PT Cruiser...Really Fun To Drive - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By HI SPEEDR - September 26 - 10:00 am

  What I like most about this vehicle is that its setup is perfect for a sales professional like me who is driving from appointment to appointment all day long. I arrive refreshed and when I need to use it as an office, I have the passinger seat that folds down as a desk plus the shelf at the rear door as well when I have to work outside. Also, it has the pep of a 6 cylinder because of the turbo, but the gas mileage of a 4 cylinder. The styling is refreshing and doesnt look like any other vehicle on the road.

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  Wayners PT Cruiser - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By wayner - September 26 - 10:00 am

  I liked this car since I first saw it as a concept car at the LA auto show. When it was available I test drove it an decided it was for me.

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  On the right track - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By tndinca - September 26 - 10:00 am

  I rented this car for a week recently. I had heard the hype and was intrigued. Currently own a Saab and Bmw. Best features were drive train, interior space and styling. Was evident that Chrysler is trying to upgrade interior quality and I liked some aspects: the seats in particular. Suggest they need to keep at this as still below import competition. I would pay more for this car to to get improved material/detail quality. Examples: radio control knobs, steering wheel, door and trunk latches. Perhaps the 300c is nicer, but I suspect same issues. Trunk latch on my rental did not work and was very low quality. Could not close the trunk easily.

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  I bought a Chrysler - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By AJ - September 26 - 6:43 am

  The 300C is the only car which could tear my 95 Impala SS out of my hands. With the advent of newer technology and hemi power, I could not resist. This is my 1st chrysler. The ride is excellent. Handling is on par with a car its size, but Pirelli M+Ts or some other tire will improve it. The power is there - no question about it. The autostick will downshift if you rest your hand on it, so be aware of that. The dealer did a terrible job of prepping the car, so I spent 8 hours using prewax cleaner, clay barring the paint, and then waxing it. The factory paint is *not* on par with GM, however, the time I spent made a big difference. I would say buy one, but only a hemi.

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  GREAT CAR - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By LINDA MCBRIDE - September 25 - 6:30 pm

  I changed from an suv to the chrysler 300. This is the greatest car i have ever owned. Talk about getting attention,everywhere i go people ask about it or coment about its great looks, from teens to the elderly, it seems to appeal to all!

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  Wonderful car - 2016 Chrysler 200
  By Henry Spindler,MD - September 25 - 6:11 am

  I looked for a mid sized car that was good looking in and out, had a strong engine, and most of all had all of the latest safety features. The 200 was it. In 2015 only Subaru had all the safety features in this price range but was no where near as nice a car. Once you have driven a car with brake assist, lane departure ,backup warnings, adaptive cruise control,etc, youll never feel as safe driving another. Beyond safety ,this car has a stunning interior. The trunk is hugh, but the back seat head room is tight like every car with fastback styling. Comfort and handling are excellent. it has every convenience you can think of ,heated steering wheel heated and cooled seats, remote start,lock etc either from the remote or the Internet....I cant remember them all. This car is a true bargin and a winner at any price.

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  Ill miss her - 1991 Chrysler Imperial
  By coolv - September 25 - 2:00 am

  This was a very reliable car. I didnt have any problems at all. I didnt fix anything on it. Was a little slow out the box, but the car was 13-14 years old. Performed as well as a caddy on the interstate. I easily passed much newer cars. I couldnt tell I was going so fast. This was a very smooth car. Interior was near new condition. Car was white (no rust) with burgundy interior (unbelievable condition). Transmission was a little rough.

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  fun - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By jabar439@msn.com - September 24 - 2:00 am

  at my age it is fun to drive such a nice car.there is plenty of room in the back seat. we took the car with the top down and went to canada. it was a blast,justto feel like a kid again.

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  Mixed - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Ashlee595 - September 23 - 1:50 pm

  I purchased my PT cruiser when it was 2 years old. I had always wanted one. Thankfully an extended warranty was purchased because the transmission went on it two times and the radiator had to be replaced soon after I purchased the vehicle. Other than that, the car was perfect. I love and miss my PT cruiser. I was rear ended. My two children were in the back and did not have a scratch. My seatbelt did not hold me and my face went into the steering wheel. The car that hit us was totaled. All in all i loved my pt cruiser, even with its flaws... I am looking to purchase a pacifica