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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  Suh-weet! - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By Jenny Wentz - April 13 - 2:00 am

  This car is so much fun to drive- it really goes! Not only does the inside look super nice, but the outside is sporty and sleek too. It drives really well in snow b/c it has front wheel drive and its even low pro! And the factory sound system will blow your mind it sounds so good! I wanted a reliable car that I could keep for a few years but also one that would look good too. They really matched the colors nicely. Mine is silver and has some silver interior along with the black. This car is super awesome, I tell you no lies!

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  My Crossfire - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By preid - April 13 - 2:00 am

  love to drive. very quick steering wheell, dont look away for even a second, the car will move. hate drink holder. It tears paper glasses, difficult to put cans in it, bottles even harder. wish that could be redesigned. But hes fun, fast and i love to shift his knob.

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  Always Out Crusin - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Prior Ford Man - April 12 - 6:20 am

  After driving nothing but Fords all my life, I wanted some style, fun and power in my next car. The PT GT Cruiser gives me all I wanted. I love looking at Tara (my GTs name) and taking her on long drives here in CA. When I need power she gives it and when I need to haul supplies she accommodates with space to spare. Chrysler did a good job making a unique styled vehicle with power to match her great looks. There nothing on the road that looks like her except maybe an old Woody.

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  whata car - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By benntamm - April 12 - 2:00 am

  great car..lotsa power..looks great..

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  2001 Sebring Limited - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By Sherry Altman - April 12 - 2:00 am

  Chryster really needs to work on the Sebring. I have had problems with my car such as transmission, fuel injectors, electronic door locks that I feel should not happen with a car less than 3 years old.

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  Purchased for wife, love to ride - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Ron - April 11 - 1:26 pm

  This car truly brings back the days of the 60s muscle cars. My wife and I were looking for a new car and this time it was her choice to make. I had been privately salivating over the 300C, but never made mention of this to her. She said, lets go test the 300C, thats a great looking car!" She test drove it, as did I and the rest is history. The car drives as great as it looks. Its appeal transcends generations. At full throttle, it will push you back in the seat. This 4100 lbs. beheamoth can rocket. It handles nicely, especially on the freeway. The car is comfortable and the interior is roomy. Neither of us have experienced a claustrophobic effect as reported in CR. Great car!

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  Great Car for the Price! - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By sueandron - April 11 - 10:00 am

  This is my first "new" car and I really like it. It has the acceleration and handling I was looking for, and the space for the family inside.

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  Unexpected Value - 2004 Chrysler Concorde
  By PMat - April 11 - 2:00 am

  I bought the car off lease for less than blue book with only 17,000 miles on it. Since I buy a used car every 2nd or 3rd year just to pile the miles on it, Im pleasantly surprised with the value of this car. Gas mileage is running 28 to 30 miles per gallon consistently. So far, from July to April 04 Ive put on 24,000 miles with no trouble at all! No unexpected surprises - just regular oil changes and the usual 30,000 mile, etc check ups. Very satisfied.

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  OK car - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Themainwi - April 11 - 2:00 am

  The over all curb appeal is great but the 5 speed auto shift left something to be desired. The seats are comfortable but poor quality. The seats where trashed in less than a week. My pickup truck had better leather.

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  Great car, flimsy trim - 2000 Chrysler LHS
  By Art Schoepfer - April 10 - 2:00 am

  Overall, this is a great car, roomy, good styling, and well built. One obvious defect, is the exterior plastic trim which becomes brittle after 2-3 years. The plastic hood trim on my car actually blew off my car when I was traveling on the highway. I complained to Chrysler about this, but they told me this is normal for this car, and they dont intend to do anything about it. It costs more than $150 to replace this defective trim.