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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  Awesome coupe - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By pjl7 - June 12 - 2:00 am

  car is a bit cramped for 62" height. But played with seat and found a good compromise. Trunk holds 2 sets golf clubs, surprisingly. Sound system is v.good. Merc engine is v.smooth. Traction control is kind of annoying too intrusive. Car is surprisingly quieton freeway at cuising speeds. Would definitely recommend to others.

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  Outclasses its competition - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Michael F. - June 11 - 2:03 am

  I have put 11,000 miles on my C and I still believe it to be the no brainer choice that it seemed when I bought it. Edmunds guides us to compare it to the Acura TL, Infiniti G35 and Lexus ES 350. I assume they do so because they are about the same price. The 300 is larger, has more displacement, more horsepower and way more torque. I compared it to the Lexus LS 460, BMW 750i and Mercedes E550. It lost, but only by a a very little. But it cost $25K-40K less. And, I admit that this is personal, but its way better looking. The Cadillac STS is the only U.S. car that can even begin to compare and costs 17K more. Of all the luxury performance sedans, the C is far and away the best value.

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  The Greatest Car I have ever owned! - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Limited Edition Turb - June 10 - 12:36 pm

  This little car is like a baby to me! It looks so great and has everybody looking at it. The construction of the car is wonderful. It rides like a dream and I feel it is the best car I have ever owned! Highly recommended!

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  Attention to detail? - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By BioMan - June 10 - 2:00 am

  We bought this car for roadtrips and it performs quite well in that respect. Mileage is a little concerning around town (~18mpg) but on the hwy is quite nice (~26mpg). This car is soooo smooth and powerfull its almost too easy to speed. But whats with the 110mph speed limiter? My biggest gripe with the 300M is in its interior quiality. Cheap plasic pieces that dont quite fit together produce annoying rattles in the dash, doors and headliner. Maybe Chrysler should speak to the folks at Audi about this issue... Overall a good touring car for those who like high speeds and a roomy comfortable interior.

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  no more toyotas for me - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By blkgt - June 10 - 1:53 am

  love 3.1 sec 30 mph to 50, 4.0 sec 50 mph to 70. Mpg acceptable for this kind of performance. no problems with car. all 4 goodyear tires had cord separation and were replaced. last 18 mo. on hankook, 0 problems. mpg mid 20s, worst rnd trip 22.5 from mid ca. to LA and back. {2.5 hrs to go 38 miles, 2hrs to go 45 mi. Modifications, 2.5 in. duals, light weight 16 in wheels, jet chip, k&n filter, cork underlament. additional rear shock dampening, mini antenna. MPG much better than my 22r toyota PU that was in constant need for repair and difficult to smog.

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  Great Car - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By uarisk - June 9 - 2:00 am

  Awesome vehicle. Never had to fix a thing in 4 years outside of normal ear items.

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  Best little fun car - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Dianna - June 9 - 2:00 am

  My only problem with the purchase of the crossfire is the check engine light repeatedly comes on. The dealership has yet to find what the problem is and has not as yet corrected this. Gets a lot of heads turning. Fast and Very FUN to drive.

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  starr - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By paul starr - June 9 - 2:00 am

  Let me just say that the only problem encountered after 69000 miles has been a headlight bulb. I have noticed the autotransmission sometimes seems to misshift. I am going to take it in for an alignment and have that checked. It has been a great little car. The average mileage is 27.4mpg So it actually getting better mileage than stated on the sticker. I have always used regular fuel. Paint is great on the car. Good stereo. Leather seats are very good. I certainly would by another sebring lxi if the styling and quality are equal to what my car has been

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  My green money pit!!! - 1995 Chrysler Cirrus
  By atms27 - June 8 - 2:00 am

  I bought this vehicle used at 84,000 miles in 2002. Things that went out in less than 2 year time period: power steering pump, alternator, starter (x2), radio stopped working, tape player stopped working, it leaked coolant, (I would have to add it once a month at least. Once at 100,000 miles and again at 120,000 miles, there transmission problems. It barely made it to the dealership to be traded in at 120,000 miles only to find out that it was worth almost nothing because the lit numbers for the odometer reading only lit up 20% of the time. Its a good thing I had tripple a! I used it often!!!!

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  LAST CHANCE FOR A SPECIAL - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By Las Vegas Dale - June 8 - 2:00 am

  Waited for the 2005 300C - once I seen the boxy body and small interior I went for the 2004 300M Special. With the $4000 discount, it is a real bargain, fully loaded and is $10,000 less compared to the 300C with the same options. A full size North American luxury vehicle that handles great!