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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  I like the car - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By Ed - November 27 - 2:00 am

  I think the Sebring gets a bad rap. I am a salesman so my car is my office. The car handles nicely in rain, snow, or dry highway and I get 36 plus mpg on the Interstate doing 68 mph. The 4 cylinder is all the power I need. The only problems have been the radio (replaced twice) and the turn signal assembly had to be replaced. I put OEM Chrysler 300 17" Chrome wheels and a chrome grill on which really dressed up the car. Currently with over 65,000 miles, Id recommend it.

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  Love this badboy - 2008 Chrysler 300
  By gattor75 - November 24 - 2:00 am

  I got my 08 - 300 LX used with 57k already piled on him. Right arm started hurting (squeaking), just massaged it with oil - WD40 and that was it. Ive piled an additional 18k on his back and hes still running like the day I first brought him home, good boy! Smooth ride, quite cabin, roomy interior what else? Oh! even my ex-wife loves him though she kicked against the idea when we were married. lol

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  Underrated Performer poor MPG - in City - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Garth Stapon - November 20 - 2:00 am

  This car is extremely comfortable. The six speed transmission gives decent highway mileage. We have seen some minor reliability issues. The axle seal on the transmission was leaking and that was covered under warranty. There were also some paint cracks on the hood which is made of plastic and that was also repaired by warranty. I found a cracked / chipped brake caliper on my car at 60,000 miles. The part was available as an aftermarket part for $40 with a return of the core. We upgraded to drilled / slotted rotors on the front wheels and that enhanced braking. The temperature control system is sweet and the driver seat is VERY adjustable. The power is adequate. Traction control GREAT!

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  I hate American cars now - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By MARC - November 19 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car on August, so far, I hate it! first it looks cheap, interior or exterior, the engine is crap, make that ugly noise when you hit the gas, cheap brakes

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  Still stands out. - 2010 Chrysler 300
  By Big Ron - November 17 - 2:00 am

  I bought this baby right off the showroom floor. Mine has the white exterior with the gray leather interior which all the "Ss" have. The options included with my S8 package are what sold me. Plus, the wheels and exterior package make it unique enough that I felt I didnt need to step up to the SRT. The HEMI more than comforts my need for power and it handles more than adequately for a car its size.

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  Im enjoying the ride so far! - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By John Kennedy - November 15 - 2:00 am

  I have had this FWD Basic Model for just a couple of months and have enjoyed a really nice ride so far. Our other car is a 2007 RX350 and while this vehicle does have the same features and comfort, its pretty close and and has more room inside. I enjoy driving it. My first tank of gas gave me 17.9 miles per gallon. As good as our other car that is 500 lbs lighter with a 3.5 L engine.

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  Will never own again - 1995 Chrysler Cirrus
  By lexie - November 13 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car on a whim, because I was pregnant, and the car had just gotten a new engine, so I figured it would run great. I was VERY wrong. Ive put nothing but money in this car, and it is still very unreliable. It scares me to have my daughter in it, because it does what it wants when it wants, aka it dies all the time. my heater and the odometer do not work, I have to put a tie rod end in it, ive replaced numerous amounts of sensors. The speakers dont work well either. Also the computer is going out. This car has been nothing but a nightmare, and of course no one wants it, so Im stuck with it. I personally will never own one again.

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  Hope it holds together... - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Betty - November 11 - 2:00 am

  Bought my 300 brand new. So excited, that was short lived. It started the night mare! Sunroof, had to be totally replaced. Then yhe transmission started acting up. In and out of the dealers. Finally they put in a new one, still isnt right tho. Waited weeks for the transmission, in the dealer more than out. Sad. So then, the tires wore out in about 16,000- 20,000 miles, kinda a tire recall, but I got stuck paying for them. Then at 30,000 miles on a trip a sensor goes out in Iowa. Never ending. Love the look but a Corvette is on its way. Think twice before you fall in love with a 300! They have low resale and will empty your pockets!

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  LOVE and hate relationship - 2001 Chrysler Concorde
  By the17thletr1 - November 10 - 2:00 am

  I bought the car in 03 with 67k miles in 07 120k 60k later timing chain went 130k all four struts needed to be replaced and the front hubs were shoot. Now a 167k the transmission axle on the passenger side is loose and and noisy. Father dont buy this car for your daughters first car to take to college. Other minor issues are door windows move slow and the window control switches wont stay in place. When i bought the car it rode great and still looks great but every 30 thousand i have to put in the shop for a major repair i love the car but i dont think i would buy it again.

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  Love it! - 2007 Chrysler Aspen
  By littlebit - November 8 - 2:00 am

  Traveled to Connecticut from upstate NY to purchase the Aspen we were looking for. We love it! Roomy, great ride, loaded and the gas mileage is better than we anticipated. Great looking and so far great performance. The perfect SUV for a large family! Cant say enough great things about it.