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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  We love it - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By macwm - July 20 - 10:00 am

  After 2 SUVs and 3 minivans this was the next logical step. Were empty nesters and this vehicle does it all in syle and comfort. I actualy look forward to driving it instaed on my 2004 A4!

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  Finally - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Eric Boesinger - July 20 - 10:00 am

  After 10 years Im finally out of a minivan and loving it. Maybe if I was comparing it to a Lexus Id feel differently, but the Pacifica is fantastic.

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  Crossfire is little known gem - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Ebody - July 20 - 8:23 am

  I just got a 2005 Limited Coupe after searching car dealers for 6 months for the "right car". I looked at BMW 3 Series Coupe, Mini Cooper S Conv, Caddy CTS, Corvette, G35 Coupe, 350Z and Boxster. With the rebates, the Crossfire had the right mix of price, comfort, sporty (always wanted a 2 seater), insurance cost, gas mileage, power and off course, handling. It gets almost as many looks and questions as my PT Cruiser did when it was new. The car rides great, my wife and I actually slept in the passengers side during our trip to Florida when we switched off driving. The crisp handling saved our life by avoiding a vehicle that cut in front of us on interstate road construction.

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  Expensive to maintain - 1997 Chrysler Concorde
  By unit_i - July 20 - 2:00 am

  Got a great deal on this car, but all of the repairs have cost me. In 4 years of ownership I have put nearly $6000 into this car, not counting stuff like tires and brakes. AC wont hold a charge for more than 6 months, but no one can find a leak. Various suspension problems totaling $3000. ABS and traction control failed, while the CD player frequently doesnt work. Driving experience is what you would expect from a large American sedan. Good on the highway, lousy most everywhere else.

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  My Present - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Birthday Girl - July 20 - 2:00 am

  My husband bought me my 2004 crossfire for my 40th birthday. What a GREAT GIFT!! The car is a jem and makes all heads turn. If your looking for a hot car this one definitely draws eyes, and starts conversations with lots of people. I find it so funny when they ask,"what kind of car is that?" Then they ask the price, and then when I tell them, they are shocked it is so reasonably priced. Alot of praise to Chrysler for finally making a fun fast affordable sports car!!! I suprisingly can fit an enitire shopping cart of groceries neatly stacked in the trunk, and how funny it is when I leave it in the parking lots and watch all the gawkers!!!

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  Fun to Drive - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Disneybear - July 19 - 3:20 am

  Ive had the car about 2 weeks put over 1000 miles on her. Just wish the gas milage was alot better, well see if it gets better after shes broken in

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  Better than expected - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Jack Ford - July 16 - 4:53 pm

  Chryslers 300C SRT8 turns out to be better than my expectations. The MPG for such a powerful car is much better than I expected. The sport suspension is more comfortable than I expected, especially seeing on TV all of the extreme driving that it can do. This car gets as much attention as my custom Harley Road King. The slightl lower stance and the 20" 10 spoke wheels are very impressive. My wife thoroughly enjoys driving the SRT8. She has claimed this car as hers. Today when we got onto the freeway, and there was a long open space, I stepped on the gas for about 3 seconds. We both looked at each other, and have not stopped smiling yet. Go; buy one now!

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  Rick - 2000 Chrysler LHS
  By Rumpilstillskin - July 16 - 2:00 am

  Best car I ever owned! Reliable, comfortable and fun to drive.

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  Black Beauty - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Beth - July 16 - 1:23 am

  Safe, fun to drive. Good mileage for a car this size. Would certainly buy again. Good to see an American car with this kind of class.

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  Quality review - 2000 Chrysler Voyager
  By Young - July 15 - 2:00 am

  The only issue that I have had in 4 years of owning to vehicle is that I had a coolant leak that was hard to detect and persistant. The leak appeared after approximately 3 years of ownership.