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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  A Classy Topless - 1997 Chrysler Sebring
  By PLJSB - July 26 - 2:00 am

  Father purchased my 97 Sebring Jxi for me when I was 15, at a year old it was an awesome car everything I wanted. To this day I still get complimants on it everywhere I go I have a LexusRX, and A Mercedes SLK230 and will still take my Red Jxi convertible out before them. Very reliable car my only problem has been brake pads wearing to fast probably my fault, and the electric antenna up until this year. The past year I spent $600 on her, It needed a tune up and it needed a new radiator, a few minor oil leaks which can be expected for a car with 120,000 miles on her. But everything was fixed and she runs like a car with only 20,000 on her again.

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  my fun car - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By ira kellman - July 26 - 2:00 am

  I have thoroughly enjoyed driving this car these past 3 years.It moves well and quickly,you feel like youre drivingand its very comfortable upfront.

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  2K5 Pac TAWD fully loaded - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By VJ - July 23 - 10:03 pm

  After having a test drive, I bought one with 14K miles on it (14 months back). A great car to have and ride with family. Regarding mileage I am not able to conclude the exact MPG as it varies between 14 in city to 20 in Freeway. In a trip all of a sudden the airbag light got on while driving. I did not get the answer for that yet. I took the exit and stopped the engine and resumed after a while. Other than this, the vehicle is so far the best value for money than other similar vehicles of expensive brands.

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  Best Car - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By CG - July 23 - 9:20 pm

  What a wonderful car. I have every option except for navigation. I have owned the 300 for 5 months now, and I havent had any problems. Ive made a cross country trip with it and do lots of city driving. It is the first car Ive had that does both very well. Also, it handles well in the mountains for being a large car, and the AWD has been great in the snow.

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  Must Have! - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By ste7of1 - July 23 - 5:00 pm

  Everybody loves it. Great performance for average driving and road conditions. Straightens out all the roads around here. Awesome curb appeal. Gets many comments.

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  eyecatcher - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By helleis - July 23 - 2:50 am

  sporty yet elegant eyecatching fast car roomy interior very comfortable front and back seat very fun and easy to drive

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  Great Car! - 2001 Chrysler LHS
  By Marye - July 23 - 2:00 am

  This car is true luxury! I really love the spacious interior and the spacious cargo area. The ride is very comfortable with little outside noise. The audio controls on the steering wheel makes for easy control of music. My only complaint is that visibility at the back is limited by the high seatbacks and humped trunk. An excellent investment, however, and luxury at a relatively low cost.

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  Major disappointment - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By DackarM3 - July 23 - 2:00 am

  Ive rented this car on vacation in Vegas. Wanted one with stick, but got automatic, oh well. The interior made of cheap plastic, the silver central panel is too bright. Radio is too complicated and locks itself up while driving. The seats are a little small for 6’2”, but good. Turn signal switch is too close to cruise control. The side windows are tiny, the C-pillars are too wide. Both pedals and the wheel are heavy, as the whole car is. They feel numb, or maybe that was the transmission and suspension? The engine is OK, the breaks are horrible, I locked them up twice on a hot asphalt of Vegas, while the deceleration wasn’t even close to locking them up.

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  Great Car - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By cota - July 23 - 1:13 am

  Had the car for two weeks and am having a blast. Drives great and feels great. The only downfall is the mileage, but what do you expect with this size of engine. When parking, you have to be careful not to hit the front due to the bumper being low. You will get better at backing in thats for sure =). Definitely worth the wait to get this car. Oh, and my 16 year old son is loving it too. I do wish the wheels were shiney.

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  Excellent Vehicle: Performance & Safety - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By BRIFROMWI - July 20 - 10:00 am

  Granted I have only owned for 2 weeks. However, I put over 30K miles/year on the road. This is by far the Best Ride thus far. As far as acceleration: Pretty darn good considering the curb weight of 4600lbs. And why so heavy? Safety isnt light. This is by far as safe if not safer than a Volvo. Airbags for all passenger rows!! For the weight of this vehicle, the engine is adequate for everyday driving, not drag racing. The interior is very well thought out with quality features. Far better than chevy or ford interiors will ever be. This is an excellent vehicle with very nice features.