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 in performance and class - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Senor Carlos - April 9 - 10:00 am

  I loved the perforfance of the veichle and of its power.

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  Do you believe this about PACIFICA TOU L PLUS? - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Sree - April 8 - 1:03 pm

  I bought a brand new PACIFICA TOURING L PLUS 2017 and drove couple of miles I found few issues. 1. 3rd row power stow and go had a problem. 2. When I was trying to reverse the car, it was stuck and not able to move back. 3. 2nd Day, it stuck middle of the road and completely stopped the engine. "Driving" mode came back to "Parking" mode and engine completely stopped. Didnt start almost 30 minutes. After that it started again. 4. After towing the car to the dealers place on Sunday, next day which is on Monday, Technician drove the car to reproduce the issue. While he was driving, "Driving" mode came back to "Parking" mode and engine completely stopped. I did return the car to the dealer. It was really scary. Life and death issue. Thank god It was not on the highway. Again, I really like this Pacifica 2017 minivan but wanted to hear your experience. Please let me know if you run into similar issue.

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  Performance - 2004 Chrysler Concorde
  By Rev. John - April 8 - 2:00 am

  Good car, fun to drive, but front is to low, but overall handle very well.

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  What a blast to drive: road trip fun - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By alanlcham - April 8 - 2:00 am

  quick, corners great, cool looking, makes others turn their heads to get a good look, chicks look and smile, I got this instead of a corvette. completely happy with my decision. I believe it will be a classic. I do love the stereo and my good cigars fit in the ashtray. Any SLKs want to race?

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  climate control fail - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Oculos - April 7 - 2:25 am

  I have had the car for one day. The panel vent mode on the climate control worked on the first drive, but is now inoperative. Foot well and defrost work fine but the panel vent mode is dead. Update to follow after I go to the dealer Monday, tomorrow. And the "kick to open" side doors and lift gate are only working about one out of ten tries. Im doing exactly as the manual instructs so I dont think its user error. In less than 24 hours Im having more issues with this car than I have had in the last 11 years with my Lexus LX... I hope its just a couple minor glitches.

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  For want of a nail... - 1994 Chrysler Concorde
  By MaxDrivesLikeANut - April 7 - 2:00 am

  Bought this as my first used car after college. I knew there had been recalls, but I wanted to believe that American manufacturers built a good product. 5,000 miles after buying it (with 58,000 on it) the distributor left me on the side of the road during rush hour. Torque converter locks up in reverse on cold mornings, until the car warms up. Told to get a new transmission by dealership for $3,600, but AAMCO guy suggested I run it until it failed. I just back into every parking space been getting by for 40,000 miles. The turn signals fail when its cold or wet. A/C went, front tie rods and the climate control just went.

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  Finally Got the RagTop - 2000 Chrysler Sebring
  By PLumma - April 7 - 2:00 am

  I have been looking for a convertible for a couple of years now... Im no fast buyer. After alot of research I found the Sebring to be the best overall value taking into consideration purchase price, fuel costs, and INSURANCE. It is much cheaper than a mustang. So do your homework like I did and Run dont walk to get your sebring.

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  Drive = Love! - 2000 Chrysler Sebring
  By Steve Phillips - April 7 - 2:00 am

  Hawaii was the perfect place for me to buy this car and I loved every minute of it! Although I live in Washington now and it isnt as fun, I look forward for days to put that top down. I have received compliments on how good it looks since the day I bought it. I will get rid of my SUV way before I get rid of my Sebring! The only problems I have had are changing the battery (behind the front tire) and replacing the alarm.

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  Exciting and Refreshing Look - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By msgirlnextdoor - April 7 - 2:00 am

  This car is all German except for the design. It is quite a head turner. The car is solidly built, inside and out. Despite it only has 215horsepower, it really doesnt find power lacking at all. The only thing is you cant brag about and you know how those Japanese car drivers like to brag about their 350Zs... This car handles cornering extremely well, great at making tight turns and makes a wonderful autocross car. The huge safety concern with the car is that the rght rear view is non-existent, which makes it very dangerous when backing out. With the very sexy and different design, this car makes a great inexpensive collectors car.

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  power windows - 2001 Chrysler Concorde
  By molly putz - April 5 - 2:00 am

  Problems with the power windows. Required all four power motors to be replaced. I only replaced drivers side. Didnt favor side blockage of windsheild. Easy to miss oncoming traffic! Loud wind noise interior. Alarm could not be fixed so unable to lock all doors without having alarm go of unexpectedly at times.