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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  Chrysler 300M - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By bamaglou - September 11 - 2:00 am

  I bought my car in April and I would compare it to a Mercedes. I havent had any problems so far. I have really enjoyed this car. It has the comfort and the smooth ride that I was looking for in a sedan.

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  Grandmas Toy - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Yogomom - September 11 - 2:00 am

  My Sebring Limited Convertible is easy to handle and a fun car to drive. I especially like the way it corners. I first drove one as a rental on a 2 wk vacation, fell in love with it, came home and bought mine after driving GM vehicles exclusively for more than 40 years. Gas milage rated on the sticker at 28 miles per gallon, I recently got 30. I have driven other sport cars and find this one to be the most confortable riding.

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  Love this car - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By nolevol - September 11 - 2:00 am

  Great gas mileage, pickup, comfort.

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  Fun but not reliable - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By sparki - September 11 - 2:00 am

  The car was a lot of fun but always something breaking down. Lots of rattles and grinds. Even with warrenty, Chrysler dealerships could find nothing wrong and would have to fix it myself. Very disatisfied!!!!!!!!!!!

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  what a blast - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By sotiri - September 10 - 8:20 pm

  This is one fun ride.handlling is amazing. But the real fun starts when you push this puppy to the limits. she really runs like a thoroughbreed at a price you can afford.lots of room, trunk space is great and best of all are the other drivers who constantly say what a nice car then give you thumbs up.

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  Fantastic Vehicle - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By donrocksPT - September 9 - 11:40 pm

  Car has never broken down, or left me stranded. It has always gotten up to speed very quickly, and never stalled, hesitated, or made noises. The sound system in this car, is what stands out most. Its loud, and has great bass. The car is also great on gas.

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  Get Ready to spend money on the Tires - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By amc42 - September 9 - 2:00 am

  The tires on the Sebring are very expensive and they dont last long. I hit a pot hole and bent the rim on the car. The steering wheel does not tilt or lift up. Ive had brake problems. The car is extremely low to the ground- curb magnet. Low resale value.

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  Fun car - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By zap - September 9 - 2:00 am

  Great style, a policeman asked if the car was as fun to drive as it looks. He said it is the best looking car he has seen in the past 2o years. It is just a fun car to drive both in town and on the road. It is a Mercedes for the price of a chrysler.

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  Transmission almost killed my family twice...!!! - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Thomas Aiken - September 8 - 4:51 am

  We were on a trip to Tennessee from SC and we were on a mountain road in a pull off. I put it in reverse and it went wild. All the lights came on, transmission locked up, parking brake lit up and transmission did not work. 15 minutes of turning the car on and off finally reset it. Drove home with no problems. Couple weeks later my wife called me crying hysterically that she and our three young daughters were almost killed because she was driving on a busy road and the transmission locked up. We limped the car into the dealership and 2.5 weeks later (4,600 miles) we were given the van back and told it was fixed and safe. Last week I was driving my wife on a busy 55 mph road with my son and his wife behind us. The transmission locked up and we went from 55 to 20 in 2 seconds and all the lights came on and locked up and I limped it into a pull off. If it was an 18 wheeler behind us, we would have died right there. We have now told Chrysler that there is nothing they could do to make me feel safe to put my family into ANY Pacifica. They are now fighting us to give us our money back.

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  Good for a non-sport enthusiast - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By stevio - September 7 - 2:00 am

  Overall, its been a good ride. I had 2000 JXI which I was actually MORE happy with than this one. However, it was wrecked. Ive had very rough idle engine problems since 12k miles. Dealer claims to have finally fixed it on the 3rd visit. But, still runs rough from time to time. Very impressive mileage for a v-6 in such a big car. I get 30-31 on highway with non-ethanol gas with speeds less than 73. After 73, mileage really deteriorates. (Just imagine if I didnt have that rough idle?) I would NOT buy another. However, would buy a used 1999 or 2000 JXI if the price was right.