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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  One Great Ride - 2004 Chrysler Concorde
  By Mrs. Byrd - March 23 - 2:00 am

  This car is spacious and comfortable. Its the perfect car for a trip with comfortable seats that fully recline and plenty of leg room.

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  Improvements - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By J. Anderson - March 23 - 2:00 am

  Nice auto to drive

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  Well, you get what you pay for. - 2016 Chrysler 200
  By Weaver - March 22 - 3:51 pm

  I like the look of the new 200 which is what got me there. I wasnt looking for an expensive car, need met. The car drives "OK", handles, brakes, and features the same. The big problems with this thing is the computer/transmission relationship. IT SUCKS!!!!! This car doesnt know which gear it wants to be in and at its worse will just stop for a few seconds (when you need acceleration most) to think about it. Three times Ive nearly been in an accident as a result of pulling out hoping for a quick acceleration only to find out that this car would rather think about it. To that I have found a solution should you find yourself in a similar situation (until you can buy yourself out of this dysfunctional relationship). Ive been driving in "L" or low gear and while my gas milage has suffered a little, the power and acceleration are there when I need it, particularly in stop and go traffic or around town. (On the open highway, "D" works fine.) In low, the computer takes over far before "red line" so no need to worry about blowing ANYTHING and it shifts a if it had a "sport mode", which it doesnt. SOOOO, now I just hate the car rather than loathing it. Beyond that, given that its rated the worst car two years running the depreciation is horrific. I hope this helps.

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  Hard fast milea - 2000 Chrysler Cirrus
  By Mew - March 22 - 2:00 am

  I use this car in business and usually drive 1000 miles/week. I service it regularly and keep an eye on fluids. It has been reliable with only a transmission servo and oil pressure sending unit going out. It has the V6 and performs well. One of my trips is 460 miles-- Interstate driving at 80 and still get 29 mpg. Comfortable and simple inside. Im going to try to get 250 or 300K out of it as long as it is reliable.

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  Best Mid-size for the Money - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By JonEangel - March 22 - 2:00 am

  Compared to the other top selling mid-sized cars, the Chrysler Sebring 4-Door DXi comes with everything you could possibly want, and under the sticker price of the Accord and Camry. With leather interior, wood grain accents, clean stylish lines and a five star crash test, I dont know why anyone would choose differently.

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  My Concorde - 2003 Chrysler Concorde
  By Jared Carrara - March 21 - 2:00 am

  Very stylish and comfortable vehicle. I chose this car for the size and comfort.It gave me luxury with out the high price, Its close but not quite a Lincoln, but it doesnt have to be at half the price.

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  Great family car - 2000 Chrysler Concorde
  By wjbraun - March 21 - 2:00 am

  I have owned this vehicle for four years, and am amazed at how little maintenance it requires. After 68,000 miles, the engine still purrs like the day it was made, and has required no repairs. One word describes how this car rides: smooth. There are plenty of places to put coffee, too, with two cup holders in front and two in back. The seats are comfortable, with plenty of leg room for all passengers. I would recommend this car to anyone looking for a big sedan. It has lots of interior space, a huge trunk, and is very reliable. The mileage is also pretty good I average 26 MPG on my daily commutes.

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  A definite Winner - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Ed Rezek - March 20 - 11:40 pm

  Have had a lot of luxury cars and this is the nicest surprise I have ever found in Fifty Years of driving. Meets or surpasses other high end cars by far. I get a lot more for a lot less with this 300C.

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  The way it should be - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Ed Hickey - March 20 - 4:26 pm

  I have owend many cars and trucks from cadillacs to corvettes and none have come close to the 300c it has it all ride, looks and performance. Kudos to chrysler corp they hit a home run!!!

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  Retirement Cruiser - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Robs PT - March 19 - 4:23 pm

  Always loved this model, but the early models were costly. My 07 4 speed auto was a real bargain. I got the silver base model which i think goes best with the interior colors. Rented one for a few days, while my van was in the shop and fell for this baby!