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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  Amazing vehicle - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By beniciajoe - May 6 - 7:56 pm

  I purchased a new Chrysler 300 Touring in Feb 2006, putting 120,000 miles on the vehicle in about four years. The only maintenance required was routine (oil changes, transmission flush, replacement spark plugs...). Amazingly, at 120,000 miles the car still had the original brake pads with 40% of the pad remaining. Ive never had a vehicle this reliable, and have nothing but praise for Chryslers build quality. Ride was quiet and smooth, but also nicely balanced through the corners, making it as pleasurable on a back road as on the highway. I averaged slightly over 24 mpg on the highway at a steady 80 mph. I later upgraded to a 2010 300C, but found the Touring to be better balanced.

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  Dont Tell My 2015 300 It Isnt a Luxury Car... - 2015 Chrysler 300
  By dobberdawg - May 2 - 9:46 pm

  and dont tell me either. Took Delv mid-April. Ordered 300c with Tech 1 & 2 and Lght gp 18" tires for comfort. Immed took it on 1000 mile trip. Drove better than any luxury car Ive driven and they are many.Has ANY thing you can get on any car but in a much simpler format.I traded a twice the price luxury car for this and I got the better of the deal.Highs: Seats, radio, noise suppression, smoothest cruise control avail you dont even know when it goes in and out. No clunk like others, MPG, seats have room under them so no more lost credit cards.Lows:________, and _______ and _______ and I cant think of any more lows. Perhaps more interior color choices.

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  2005 Chrysler Sebring GTC Convertible - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By bluesman53 - April 21 - 7:50 pm

  When I bought my Sebring it was in 2006 and was a 1 year old Used Card with 27,000 miles. I have now had it 9 years and have put 40,000 miles on myself to bring the mileage to date to 67,000. It has been very reliable with the exception of the Rear Window Defroster that breaks every summer putting the top up and down. I chose not to replace the window. I am still using the factory Brakes, they will be replaced soon as they are at 5/32" on the Pads! At 66,500 miles I replaced the Ignition Switch. Other than general maintainance (Oil Changes, Tires, Battery) it has been a very dependable vehicle and a Blast to drive in the summer! I plan on keeping it many more years!

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  2005 chrysler 300 limited w/3.5L. - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By marivr - April 10 - 10:50 am

  In 2005 my dad bought this car new. While he maintained it Well I (now 21) grew up with this car. He used this beauty for work which meant the trunk was always full of construction equipment. Its now April 2015 and I inherited the car And drive it regularly. Point being the car has 271,000 miles And still drives like the day I rode home in it. Its never had any work done. Just oil gas and tires. Best car ever.

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  Still Simply Amazing - 2011 Chrysler 300
  By robert7200 - February 10 - 8:51 pm

  Its now been 3 years since we purchased our Chrysler 300C sedan and with over 27K miles this car is still simply amazing! Power, comfort and quiet are the hallmark of this beautiful 4-door E class sedan. Its built on a Mercedes E-class platform and delivers every bit of the E-class quality one would expect. Its packed with every imaginable option and drives like a dream. We still love our Chrysler 300C and can highly recommend it to anyone shopping for a large, quality 4-door sedan. Still enjoying this beautiful 300C after 3 years without any significant service issues what-so-ever!

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  300s - 2014 Chrysler 300
  By 300s - February 4 - 5:29 pm

  Taste in cars is as subjective as taste in food or music. You have to try it for yourself. I recommend test drives first and reading reviews second. I drove the Ford Taurus, Chevy Impala LTZ and Chrysler 300s. I chose the 300s. The Impala was very close but the 300 just has more character. Again, my opinion, both great cars. I chose the 300s for 1) Quite comfortable ride 2) Style 3) Gas mileage was equal on both. Test drive the cars you guys like and pick the one thats best for you and dont worry about what others say.

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  Nice quality car - 2013 Chrysler 200
  By carlous1 - January 19 - 1:32 pm

  I got my 200 last year after doing the same research many of you are doing now. Reviews overall said that it was a good car, although some outlined some bad things. Everyone will have a different opinion. My opinion is a positive one. I used to have a 2008 chevy malibu, and this was an upgrade. Its fairly good on gas,( i drive a lot). i have an all black one, so the looks is sleek and nice. I havent had to do anything to it outside of regular maintenance such as oil changes etc. i love it. Good quality and value.

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  2014 V6 200 Conv - get one while you still can! - 2014 Chrysler 200
  By goduto - January 11 - 8:58 pm

  We had a 2012 200 convertible with the 4 cylinder that we liked, but upgraded to a 2014 200 convertible with a V6 that we love. . It is my wifeÂ’s daily driver along with our summer fun car. Works in the snow to as it is FWD! They improved the suspension in 2013 and with the added power of the 6 cylinder it makes for a much wonderful overall driving experience. This is the last year for the convertible, so we plan on keeping it for a long time as nothing else comes close. FYI we bought this certified preowned with just 12,000 miles for $18,500.

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  Great Car! - 2015 Chrysler 200
  By rickexposito - January 10 - 12:21 pm

  I was never a Chrysler fan but when I saw the 200 in the street I went into the dealer to take a look. The design really blew me away. It shows the Italian side of Chrysler. Kind of a Maserati look to it. After I took the test drive and saw the price, I was sold. I bought the 200C with the V-6 and leather package which brings the Navi package. The car is built solid and definitely drives like a car $10000 higher in price. Interior is well designed and comfortable. High quality leather not the cheap material other cars have. A real looker. With its 5 year 100k mile warranty, its a no brainer. Me being a patriot, buying American was also a big plus. Im shocked it isnt on the top 10 list

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  Great looking - 2015 Chrysler 200
  By ernie28 - December 31 - 1:52 am

  I bought a 2015 V6 200C in July, 2014. My wife and I love the car. Quiet, solid and a pleasure to drive. Electronics are easy to use. Stands out against its competitors.