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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  98000 miles and zoommmmmm! - 1997 Chrysler Sebring
  By chicago - August 7 - 2:00 am

  I have kept up on scheduled matinence. 98000 and I have original starter, altenator, transmission, engine, engine mounts, exhaust pipes....zooooommmmmm! Time to trade in maybe. great vechicle.

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  Love my Pacifica - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Joan Nosal - August 5 - 1:28 pm

  I have been waiting for this car to come out and it meets and exceeds my expectations. I love it! I drive a convertible to my clients and drive my pacifica with my grandchildren and on trips. The vacuum in the car is great. I wanted it with EVERYTHING on it and I love it!

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  Super Sleek Sleeper! - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By KenThur - August 5 - 2:00 am

  Folks, as a "car guy", former sports racer & auto shop owner... this automobile is one of the finest, fun- est cars on the road. ESPECIALLY considering its amazingly low price & the amazingly high quality & performance! With a little larger tires (& smaller gas MPG), this silky smooth, super light, & powerful Mitsu V6 motivated coupe is a surprise rocket! Bimmers beware... the ONLY thing U got on a Sebring LXi is a higher price. AND it comes with a 7 year / 100k warrenty & all the nice free services like the time i locked myself out(dah). Buy American... U will be glad U did if its one of these fine machines.

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  It is O.K. - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By John Caporusso - August 5 - 2:00 am

  It is ok but bad gas mileage.

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  Best of the cruisers - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By geofkent - August 5 - 2:00 am

  Good mileage: 20-22 city, 25-28 hywy. Good power for a four cylinder. Absolutely NO problems, no squeeks, no rattles and the best part is its COOL. Draws a crowd and makes you proud to be an owner. PLUS, it hauls stuff!! The seats are removeable or fold flat,including the front passenger seat.Plenty of storage and cup holders and a slide out drawer under the front passenger seat. The Dream Cruiser comes standard with all available factory options, you need only to choose your favorite transmission.

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  No More Blues! - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By garcande - August 5 - 1:09 am

  Well, its finally fixed. I have a convertible again! Youll recall from my last review that I was still waiting for the parts from Chrysler which may/ or not come in December. I decided to search the web again for rebuilt parts. I finally found a company in Oregon that rebuilds the cylinders better than new. Better yet, they have an exchange policy that allows you to get the new parts up front and return the old ones for a credit. The Chrysler service team actually had to call them to find out how to install them, as they only know how to replace the complete unit (which you cant get)! I must say they were very helpful and Im sure they never want to see me again. Thats all for now!

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  Pugszys Limited - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Pugszy - August 4 - 2:00 am

  My second Sebring: the first being a 97 JX. 2nd iteration is much better: Less body cowl, quieter, boot snap though dated is a vast improvement over the 96- 00 fiasco. Excellent value for its price range and I love it in gold with a navy top and the 2 tone cream and navy interior with chrome wheels. I get lots of compliments on it. A very happy Sebring owner since 1997. Will trade to the new 06 which is said to have many styling cues from the current Crossfire.

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  Great Car - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By RogerF - August 1 - 5:23 pm

  This automobile is what I have been waiting for. Loaded with features and style but priced well under the Japanese luxury cars.

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  Fun to Drive - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By G Man - August 1 - 4:36 pm

  My new Pacifica and Im loving it, handles great and have nothing bad to say about it. Lot of room and very comfortable. Still discovering all the new gadgets that are now standard with this model.

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  Love this Car - 2003 Chrysler 300M
  By Tommart - August 1 - 2:00 am

  Love the appearance and handling of this car. This car is both practical and fun to drive. Im also impressed by how so many others have fallen in love with this car. This may be the best car that Chysler built in 2003. The new 300/300C carries the name, but is a very different car. The M compares to a 5-series BMW, the C compares with a Cadillac DeVille.