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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  Best car I ever owned - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By Mark Manfredi - May 3 - 2:00 am

  Fast, Comfortable, fuel efficiant, never a problem, good looks, great ride, huge trunk, whats not to like?

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  Pacified - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By jimmyc - May 2 - 10:00 am

  Coming out of a CLK320 was tough but no choice with child car seat to deal with. Love the look and the color Butane Blue. Captains chairs in second row was not a real plus but certainly add to look and comfort for adults who have to ride there. Access to 3rd row is not convenient but workable. Not much storage space if youve got the third row being used for passengers. Drives great and felt very secure in bad weather driving. Handled great in pouring rain on highway. Its one heavy vehicle. I do agree with some other comments about blindspots and tough to see out of back but too soon for me to say definitively.

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  So Far So Good! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By TedLin FLA - May 2 - 10:00 am

  So far it has been a joy to drive and I noticed two minor cosmetic defects in the workmanship that teh dealer will resolve.

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  never again - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By never again - May 2 - 6:33 am

  What a piece of garbage this car is. The front suspension is so weak and clunky, no one can seem to fix it. Yes this car is fun to drive but I expect problems when I drive it. I dont Dare hit a pot hole because it sounds like the bottom is going to fall out. Never again will I buy a Chrysler.

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  Move Over! - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By I Love My Crossfire1 - May 2 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my Crossfire for two weeks and its the most fun car Ive ever had... Easy to drive, easy to maneuver through traffic. I havent had it in 6th yet. Ill have to hit the Interstate later today. Youll have to learn to navigate via mirrors since the back window is small. If youre shy, youll make all kinds of new friends. People stop me everywhere to ask me about it.

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  Chrysler 300C Hemi - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Laurie - May 1 - 7:00 pm

  I love this car! It is full power when I need it and has everything a Mercedes has for half the price. I very good value.

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  SWEET - 2000 Chrysler LHS
  By Flukeyduke - May 1 - 2:00 am

  After 4 years the LHS still turns heads. My experience has been a pleasant one. I have two sons that are both over 6 ft. and weigh more than 300lbs. The LHS transports us back and forth to colleges in comfort and with ease. Inclement weather does not pose a problem due to the LHS traction control. The 2000 LHS has many of the conveniences that are present in the new 2004 300.

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  Topless Nut - 1997 Chrysler Sebring
  By highlandgolfnut - May 1 - 2:00 am

  I love this car! Sure, there are some things that I wish were better designed, and I would like to get a little more performance out of a car that looks so good, but for the price I paid for a four year old convertible that was in perfect condition inside and out, you have to give up a little. I get comments everywhere I go about what a great car I have(especially in supermarket parking lots). An added bonus is that I can fit my weekly foursome AND four sets of clubs in the car, something I couldnt do in a Mustang, Camaro/Firebird, BMW, or Solare!

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  Sports Car with Class - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Elbartosr - May 1 - 2:00 am

  I bought the car for the sporty yet classy look not because it had a Mercedes powertrain. Definetly draws a crowd. The car is quick, 215 HP, but not up to newer V6 HP levels. The fun to drive factor makes up for lack of power. Ended up buying it over the ugly 350Z. Ive had no vehicle problems at all including those the earliest built cars had. You end up wading through alot of dealer B.S. to try to buy one. Id hate to see the non 5 star dealers. I dont find the "lack of rearward visibility" to be an issue while driving. Only when trying to back out of a parking space.

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  Amazing...totally amazing! - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Bruce Anthony - April 30 - 2:00 am

  I am blown away by my new car. I cant find anything wrong with it. I could drive it all day long. People stop in parking lots to ask about it. They say that it is the most beautiful car they have ever seen...and I agree. Mercedes has performed an amazing feat. A magnificent car at a very affordable price.