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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  I thought i was driving a car, not SUV - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By mzurk - January 22 - 9:30 am

  Wow! Horrible gas mileage! I seriously thought there was something wrong with it when I got it, but apparently its in working order. How can I get 14 MPG in town in 4 cyl and only 22-24 highway. Please. I would expect this mileage from a mid to large size SUV not a car. This car needless to say is gone, or on its way out. Its not that the features or styling that I dont like, which I do, but when youre driving 150-300 miles per day, yea filling that puppy up everyday is just putting to many read numbers in quick book for me.

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  Nice ride - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By Kgg - January 22 - 2:00 am

  It has been a wonderful vehical

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  Dream Car since the LeBarron - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Karen Olson - January 22 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is a dream come true. Seems it evolved from the LeBarron and I loved it back then, too, only now it just got better. I am 53 years old and it brings back fond memories of my "Pony Car" days from the 60s and 70s. Her name is "Korbel" after the champagne and her friends call her "Belle" - She is quiet yet feisty in the passing lane. I get plenty of attention and a lot of pleasure while driving this car. Comfortable, sturdy, quiet, smooth - Its all good!

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  Excellent - 1998 Chrysler Sebring
  By Seth - January 19 - 2:00 am

  This car performs exceptionally well all around. I was in an accident where I was hit in the side by a large truck, and I was plesantly (HA HA) surprised by how well it with stood the impact.

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  Lisas 300 - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By Kodiak - January 18 - 2:00 am

  We shopped for 2 weeks solid before we decided on the 300M. We compared Chevy Impala and Malibu, Buick LeSabre, Saturn L300s, Crown Vics, Sable and Taurus. No, I dont look at other than American made. The 300M was outstanding in performance, great ride quality, fit and finish, visability, comfort and handling. In addition to these attributes, another plus was accessability. My father has severe back problems and he finds it very easy to get into and out of.

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  Its a winner - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Jerri M - January 18 - 2:00 am

  This has been the perfect family car. It has the functionality of a mini van and the looks of a european luxury car. You can see the Mercedes influence in this car! The one improvement that I would recommend is an upgrade on the interior carpets. Once you drive this car and compare the others you will buy it.

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  Everything I expected and more! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By E/wizard - January 18 - 2:00 am

  I selected the AWD with heated leather seats as best for Wisconsin winters. After three months of winter driving, I found it to be safe, comfortable - a joy to drive even on slippery roads and sub-zero days. The stability of the platform on all kinds of roads and in all kinds of turns is outstanding. As to gas mileage, I knew going in that it was going to be about 20 mpg and after 1500 or so miles, 21 on the highway and 18+ in town are the rule. Likewise acceleration of a 2.5 ton vehicle is not that bad. I have had several Chrysler Vans that were a lot lighter and didnt do that much better.

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  So Far So Good - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By NurseBenz - January 18 - 2:00 am

  I absolutely love this vehicle. The ride is very smooth & comfortable. The people at Parks Motors in Augusta Kansas were wonderful.

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  Baby Bentley - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Mr.DJ - January 17 - 3:10 pm

  After doing lengthy research and test driving numerous makes/models, I simply couldnt find a better car for under $30,000 than the Chrysler 300 Touring. Although Ive only had mine for about two weeks now, Ive been extremely impressed so far. Besides its elegant yet sporty exterior design, this car drives great (comfort and performance-wise). Also, lets not forget to mention that I too receive continual compliments from high-end luxury car owners. Prior to deciding on the 300 Touring model, I actually test drove different 300 models with the three available engine sizes, and based upon price and performance, I opted for the 3.5 liter HO engine with the deep-sounding tuned exhaust note.

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  pleasant surprise - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By kb5868 - January 16 - 5:53 pm

  I bought a 2005 PT in 2007 with 11k miles as a 16th birthday gift for my daughter, with the plan it would get her through college and then "throw it away". Well, now at 50k miles and 7 years later, this has been the most trouble free car ever. The plan was to sell it and use the proceeds on a new car, but it still looks and drive as new, she still loves it and for the $5000-6000 its worth, is still half what I paid 7 years ago. Huge value in my mind.