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:

• 

  4 Dr LX - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Jumpinjay - March 2 - 2:00 am

  So far so good, no complaints, I drive up and down the East Coast, it is an easy car to drive in the city and a very good cruising car

• 

  to cruise again - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By blaine - March 1 - 7:33 am

  My old olds finally gave up the ghost and had to get another car. I wanted a pt since the first reviews came and wasnt dissapointed. I bought a used one and it is still as tight and quiet as a new one. I have two little daughters and they love it more than I do.

• 

  2005 Pt from a Corvette driver - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Alta Laurence - March 1 - 3:23 am

  We have found this to be one of the most fun cars we have owned. Having driven Corvettes for years, that is really significant. For ease of entering, exiting, driving to the store, short trips or long trips, just a lot of enjoyment in driving and operating.

• 

  Gas Guzzler - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Mac3 - March 1 - 2:00 am

  Overaal we like this car, all the features we were looking for. The around town gas mileage is terrible!!! I dont think we have gotten 13 mpg around town yet (8500 miles)and thats w/out the A/C on. In the summer it was getting just over 10 mpg!!!! Ignore the sticker mileage on this one. If you drive mostly highway miles, it is a good car.. 20-21 mpg on the road. Unfortunately my wife drives it mostly around town. The dealer has completely ingnored our concerns on the mileage it is getting. We are looking to unload this thing or buy some gas stocks.

• 

  Best Car I have owned - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Bob Forman - March 1 - 2:00 am

  Best car that I have owned. I have owned BMWs, Lexuses and Mercedes. Chrysler is not marketing the Pacifica correctly. Should be marketed against the Lexus and BMW SUVs. I believe that it would compare favorably.

• 

  Great combination! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By damnsilly1 - March 1 - 2:00 am

  Incredibly comfortable. Drives like a high-end sedan. Terrific controls and interior layout.

• 

  Total Enjoyment - 1998 Chrysler Sebring
  By leesa - February 29 - 2:00 am

  This has been a great car and is fun to drive. I would purchase another LXI. Would not recommend for 4 adults, 3 is ok but over that it is crowded. Car is rather restricted for someone 6 and taller. Rear window is difficult to clean.

• 

  quite a car for the price, $20,000 - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By bill acampora - February 28 - 10:00 am

  handling, ride, and performance in a car that cost me $20,000. Best overall is the performance of the 200 hp v6. It really revs quickly and also has plenty of power on the inter- states.

• 

  Great car - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Donald L Francis - February 27 - 3:13 am

  I have 5 other cars and this one is the best car I have ever owned. This car does so much and and it will take me a year to figure eveything out it does.

• 

  BEST SUV EVER HAD - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By MARLYSS W. - February 26 - 11:36 pm

  MY PACIFICA GIVES ME THE SAFEST FEELING I HAVE EVER HAD WHILE DRIVING. WITH ALL OF THE AIRBAGS AND THE LOWEST ROLLOVER RATE OF ANY SUV, I FEEL SECURE WHILE DRIVING. IT FEELS STURDY, HEAVY, AND STRONG BUT GETS GOOD MILEAGE. IT IS EASY TO STEER, FITS WELL IN PARKING SPACES, AND HAS LOTS OF CARGO SPACE WHEN 3RD ROW SEATS ARE DOWN. IS MUCH LARGER BOTH INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR THAN IT APPEARS. INCREDIBLE SOUND SYSTEM. ONLY PROBLEM IT HAS BLINDSPOTS ON BOTH SIDES WHICH ARE CORRECTABLE WITH SMALL CIRCULAR MIRRORS PLACED ON EXTERIOR REARVIEW MIRRORS. MY KIDS LOVE IT ALSO AND THEIR FRIENDS THINK IT IS A COOL CAR. WE ARE GIVING IT TO MY DAUGHTER IN 3 YRS. WHEN SHE TURNS 16. THATS HOW SAFE IT IS