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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  The small red pt - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By opcfan - October 9 - 1:18 pm

  I got this car used in a very good shape with a manual. After a new clutch and a full tune-up i drove this car from Nyc to Miami and back. The car was extremely comfortable, able to cruise at 90-100mph with no drama, good handling and 30mpg. Driving in stop and go traffic and getting 20 mpg is not fun but hear compliments from old people. The car never had a mechanical issue.

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  Close to BMW, but not there - unsafe at high speed - 2015 Chrysler 200
  By Larry I - October 2 - 3:05 pm

  There are definitely similarities to the BMW. But overall, its just not there yet. There is an emphasis on outward style, without the inside matching what is outside. Yet, there are definitely things about this car that excel. Driving in slow traffic is easy. The acceleration is good. Visibility with the side mirrors is excellent. But its simply not as refined as the BMW/Mercedes standard. Its the little things. Some things are unnecessary. Like the cruise control that tells you that its ready to put the cruise control on. BMW and others have a symbol. Thats all thats really necessary. The rear window visibility is poor. The acceleration on the vehicle is excellent, but not quite BMW. The main difference, though, and what makes this very American, is that driving at speeds higher than 60 or 70 in this car is dangerous and unstable. This is typical of American cars. It has electronic steering, which makes it very easy to steer and turn when making turns when backing in and out and in parking situations. But unfortunately, this translates to sloppy and dangerous steering at high speeds. You have to keep your hands on the wheel. You can feel the car go from side to side when you just turn the steering wheel very little, for example, when driving at 60 or 70. Its unacceptable. Because BMW and Mercedes have designed their cars to travel safely at high speeds for decades, its not a big deal. But for American cars, this is make or break. There are some cars that do well at this. But not many of them are American. And this car is not one of them.

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  Glad We Bought the Extended Warranty! - 1996 Chrysler Cirrus
  By mcambs - September 29 - 2:00 am

  The poor reliability of my V6 Cirrus LX will prevent me from ever buying Chrysler products again! The styling is great and it was fun to drive but it was often in the shop for MAJOR repairs. The entire air conditioning system was replaced over one extremely hot summer and the entire rack and pinion was also replaced. Im glad we paid for the extended warranty when we bought the car new! At 70K miles the car began to lurch, accelerate, and die. Neither the dealer nor an independent shop could solve this problem. After $1000 I gave up and traded it in on a VW.

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  Nice car, but... - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By wiscman - August 31 - 5:30 pm

  Nice car. Comfortable, with high seating. Aligning the mirrors is important since there are some potential blind spots. Gas mileage poor. This fairly light weight wagon only gets about 22 - 24 mpg on long drives. My 1995 explorer with 275,000 miles got the same. City mileage is far better, however. Highway ride is a bit noisy, but not objectionable. Sporty maneuvering is not in the cars job description. My explorer again could hold a tight curve much better, and the turning radius was tighter. However, the car looks cool, with nice amenities. For replacement, I will be looking at the Kia soul or forte, or the Hyundai elantra touring.

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  Happy until... - 1997 Chrysler Sebring
  By Happy? - August 29 - 2:00 am

  Enjoyed the Car Until 85,000 miles- then the check engine light comes on. Multiple trips to 3 different mechanics over the last 8 weeks and it is still not right. Summary: Unannounced engine jumps (revs)while driving Stalling at stop lights Rough idling Slight window leaks Fogging in rear tail light assembly Recently Replaced Head Gasket Heater hose Fuel pump O2 sensors Brakes, Rotors

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  This car is a lemon. - 1997 Chrysler Concorde
  By Ruben - August 26 - 2:00 am

  My mom bought the car brand new. Up to date it has been to the dealership more times than all the cars she has owned. It had had several problems with the brakes, rack and pinion, sensors, and a/c. The warranty covered most of these but the problems keep coming every year and its the same problems. She will never buy a Chrysles again and I never will either. Its a waste of time to have a car that spends more time in the repair shop than on the road.

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  Not happy Pacifica owner - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Marilyn Brown - August 24 - 10:46 pm

  iI traded in my 2015 Town and Country loaded. It had more in it than the Pacifica. I feel like Ive been ripped off. There is no DVD player, navigational, and no USB for the children to charge up their electronics in the back seats. I have told everyone that said they may be buying a Pacifica not to because it is not for the soccer moms like the Town and Country. I told them to go to Honda. Everything on television is a lye. Spacious. Yes. Front passenger seat is uncomfortable for a disabled person. Make sure you think about it closely before you buy it.

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  Chrysler 200S - 2015 Chrysler 200
  By Joe - August 23 - 4:03 pm

  Well I purchased this 200s my 1st new car in 10 years at first I was very excited to replace my old "06 Sebring with this new powerful 3.7L pinta star powered 200s first the engine is very fast and powerful no problem there, the 9 speed trans, well it needs a little, the 8.4" display is really nice and I liked the nav system the heater controls are a mixed bag you have to use the display and the external controls to work the climate system you have to look at the display and select to work all the functions you have to take your eyes off the road and that is not a good thing just to change the heater controls, the comfort and ride is where this car really failed me, the leather seats are fancy but very hard and very uncomfortable, and the ride is very harsh and very uncomfortable after 30min. on the highway I had to pull over I could not take it anymore and the 38psi low profile tires id not help the situation. After owning the car for 4 weeks I traded it back in lost a bunch of money on it. I purchased a new 2015 Chevy Malibu and I am much happier with it.

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  DO NOT BUY - 1997 Chrysler Sebring
  By SFTURBEVILLE - August 23 - 2:00 am

  I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN SEPTEMBER OF 2000 WITH JUST OVER 30,000 MILES. ONCE THE ODOMETER REACHED 36K THE PROBLEMS STARTED. I CURRENTLY OWN THE VEHICLE AND HAVE PUT CLOSE TO 10K DOLLARS INTO KEEPING IT ON THE ROAD. THERE HAVE BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. I BELIEVE THAT MY CAR HAS SPENT MORE TIME WITH THE MECHANIC THAN I HAVE SPENT IN IT. I SAY AGAIN DO NOT BUY THIS CAR.

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  voyager - 2002 Chrysler Voyager
  By char 2003 - August 22 - 2:00 am

  Ive had too many problems with this vehicle. The abs brake system continues to cause problems.