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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  Love this car! - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Josh - August 28 - 8:21 am

  Very nice car. Ive got 145,000 miles and it still looks new! The hemi is very responsive and has plenty of power when needed or just for fun. I get a lot of compliments and the design of the car is unique but not overstated. It is definitely made to drive swiftly on the highway but can still corner well for a vehicle thats as big as it is. With regular maintenance and minimal abuse this car will last a long time.

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  Great - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Kennsue - August 28 - 6:53 am

  The 300 limited was a great deal. although I ordered mine with wood trim, and side airbags - it didnt come with them; which made me mad. So the dealer gave me a 600.00 grill, top of the line stereo and money back.

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  2005 PT Touring - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Lori - August 27 - 9:10 pm

  I have owned my PT for about two and half years. I went from a Dodge Ram 1500 to this small PT only due to the fact my Ram only got nine mpg and fuel was running $4.00 per gallon. Basically there is plenty of room, with the back seats up, for my two hunting dogs. This was the only reason I bought it, because of the large cargo area.

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  Why change? - 2004 Chrysler Concorde
  By Jumpy - August 27 - 2:00 am

  The design of the concord was far a head of other cars . It gave you a sporty look in a sedan .The 2.7 engine gave you 30+miles to the gallon with comfort.

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  Smooth Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By shredhead - August 26 - 2:00 am

  Bought this rig after looking at other AWD wagons and Crossovers. Was the best equiped and best looking and size. Yeah it could have more power but its totally adequate and I live in Colorado and drive in the Mts a lot. Super smooth and quiet, feels solid over bumby roads and when you shut the doors. Love it, never thought Id buy a Chrysler.

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  Good Design / Bad Construction - 1999 Chrysler Concorde
  By FLA - August 25 - 2:00 am

  If only it was built as well as it was designed! 2 window motors in 3 years. Rear window glass replaced when defogger quit. 4 trunk lid pistons replaced - going bad again. Headlight gaskets wont stay on. Drivers window retainer clip broken - falls off track. Door panels loose - drivers & left rear. Hood trim moulding flew off on highway. Radiator fan motor quit at 48K - $200. Speed sensor bad at 59K $110 - had to be towed in. Fuel gauge sensor bad 60K, A/C intermittent since day 1 - Evaporator core now bad $1200 to repair.

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  Thumbs Up - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By CraigMoparFan - August 25 - 2:00 am

  Purchased for family car with 2 children. Extremely comfortable and 100% reliability to this point (12,000 mi). And I like the look better than the 05!

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  Quality Good, Gas Mileage Not - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By A.R. - August 23 - 11:00 pm

  My 2007 Pacifica has the best fit and finish I have ever seen in any Chrysler product. It is also very comfortable, performs well, and has a great ride. It handles very well for a vehicle its weight. However, if you buy one and you believe you are going to get the EPA rated 16 city 24 highway mileage, you are dreaming! I dont know whether Chrysler has to provide certified results regarding the EPA numbers, but if they do, they are "fudging" big time. 13-14 city and 18-19 highway is more like it.

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  A $100,000 car for $30,000 - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Barry Miller - August 23 - 10:00 am

  Fabulous handling, built like a rock, stops on a dime, really does 150 mph, seats are terrific if you are under 6 ft.

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  Best car that I have ever owned - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Kurt Daly - August 20 - 10:33 pm

  My 300C is one incredible machine. The performance is unbelieveable and you always have power, and then some, when you need it. No squeaks, rattles; just quiet. Gas mileage ranges from 19 to 21 mpg. My best mileage was 23.2 going between Stockton and LA. The cars ride is firm but comfortable. Seats could be a little softer. The only problem with car was some water had made its way into the transmission fluid. The tranny filler tube was resealed and the fluid was flushed. Not a single problem since. The steering feel is perfect. The brakes will stop you on a dime. The car is rock solid and a blast to drive. In short, buy it! You wont regret it!