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 review of the Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Sue Fancher - August 19 - 2:00 am

  This car is fun to drive and was just what I was looking for. The issues that I have with this car is there is a big blind spot in the rear. Another issue is the front passenger side seat sits up too high and can not be adjstable. I really thought this car would get better gas mileage than my big van, however it doesnt

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  A Ferrari for $30,000! - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Barry Miller - August 17 - 3:10 am

  A dream comes true. Does the slalom better that all the $100,000 supercars, even with a small 6. Great grip: 19 inch on back, 18 on front. It DOES 155 mph! So its 0 to 60 is only good: do I really want to suck gas and screech away at night? Seats are well bolstered and great lateral support.The auto shift works with a single movement, rather than the two required by others. No rattles, and the HANDLING!!!!! This is why I love my crossfire

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  Crossfire Enthusiast - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By alabamamujer - August 17 - 2:00 am

  A full page ad in Sports Illustrated in the fall of 2003 caught my eye and I was on the prowl for this car. Its great to drive, feels and looks like a more expensive car. On the highway, this car handles well, has wide stance on the road, corners well. Great audio system, good trunk space, love the seats. Fuel economy is average 17 to 18 mpg. I have the manual transmission and look forward to getting in this car to go to the grocery store or anywhere. I do find that the cupholder is almost useless. People feel free to come up to me to ask questions about the car (cost, mpg engine size, is it fun to drive) I give this car 2 thumbs

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  05 Base model A/T - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Roscoe - August 16 - 11:20 pm

  I bought this car for my wife. It has been very useful and enjoyable mainly because it has a large cargo area but doesnt look like a bloody minivan! It is very stylish inside and out and is comfortable and roomy for us both (we are both tall). It has been perfectly reliable so far. I cant believe we payed only $13,880 for this new car when it listed for $17,220. Its fun to drive and really looks good in Inferno red.

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  Love it! - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By sduston - August 16 - 2:53 am

  I absolutely love the car. In dash 4 disc changer and infinity stock speakers are very impressive. Very smooth, but stiff ride. Especially impressed with the performance, look, and features of the car for the price it sells for. Havent had it long enough to know how reliable it might be, but I would definitely buy it again as of now if I had to do it all over again. Everything I could have asked for in a car at a price I could afford!

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  bch baby,s - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By barbara barker - August 15 - 3:36 am

  i wanted this car the first time i looked at it /the body style was fabulous,the hemi motor i purchased was what i expected it to be powerful/ the inside room is a little cramped/ and the cup holders are just about nonuseable/lam a 58 yr old grandmother / the only change i would make is the items above /i have had this car to 140 it handles great

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  Cruising - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By GBoy - August 14 - 10:00 am

  This is my second PT Cruiser, purchased a 2001 in April of 2000. The convertible is well made, quiet for a Rag Top. The "Smart Glass" is a design triumph. Even the base 2.4L moves the car well enough. The gearing in the 2005 is higher than my first Cruiser. Better gas mileage and fewer RPMs at highway speeds in 5th gear. It is fun to drive and looks great.

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  Sharpest car on the road - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By SZQ - August 14 - 10:00 am

  This is one awesome vehicle. Ive driven LeSabres for 25 years and all I can say is GM had better get with it. Theyve lost one long term customer.

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  Johnny on the spot - 2006 Chrysler Sebring
  By Jon Schroeder - August 14 - 3:50 am

  I think for the money invested in the car, it is a comparable, sporty, fun to drive, fairly economical, good looking form a bill for the morning. This is the second one Ive owned and I would buy one again. I get lots of compliments on it.

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  Love it except for one thing! - 2000 Chrysler Concorde
  By ColoradoPeg - August 13 - 2:00 am

  I love my Chrysler Concorde LXI! Smooth ride, nice handling, sporty looks! Under warranty, my car has had the radio replaced 2 times for shorting out! The only thing I dont like is that there is no room for a front license plate & I got a ticket today for no front plate!