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:

• 

  MY CONCORDE - 2002 Chrysler Concorde
  By 3para - January 16 - 2:00 am

  I have had the car for a little over a year. There is plenty of power in the 3.5L 250hp engine. The transmission and ride are very smooth. The seats are comfortable and the interior build quality is good.The car is very nimble and handles well for a big car.There is a ton of room in the trunk and the cargo net is great for holding groceries from rolling about.

• 

  The car is fun - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Kim Knutson - January 15 - 11:00 pm

  This car is fun to drive and I have actually had people follow me until I come to a stop requesting to know what kind of vehicle it is and asking to see it. The vehicle handles well and I feel very safe in it. Even on Mountain roads. For a convertible, with the top up the visability is better than I had expected. The ride is quieter than my other car which is a sedan.

• 

  MY PT - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By tommy - January 15 - 6:23 pm

  My family bought our PT Cruiser in August 2002 about 9 months after my aunt had just bought one of her own. Compared to our other Daimler-Chrysler models (97 Jeep Cherokee, 03 Dodge Dakota) The PT has held up the best, gets the best gas mileage and the biggest problem we have had with it is changing the tires at only 20k. Our repairman said that DC has been putting low grade (20k or less) tires on all new models in order to save money.

• 

  great car - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By damatrixhasu - January 15 - 2:00 am

  great car the only thing not appreiated was the 4 speed transmission its dying for a 5 or 6 speed but every thing else is lovly

• 

  I love my 200 Platinum!!! - 2017 Chrysler 200
  By Rasean Robinson - January 14 - 2:34 pm

  I got about $6500 in rebates to trade in my old 2015 Fiat 500. This car is definely a major upgrade. I love the car so far transmission shifts smooth but when trans is cold in the morning shifts rough until it warms up. I LOVE MY white leather seats, although they get dirty fast LOOKS GREAT. I get a lot of compliments with my car. Im at 2,000 miles now thought id check the oil, it was extremely low. I know its breaking in but i was shocked.. Ive never had any brand new car that burn that much within the first few thousand miles. I added some oil back into it.. if its low on the next oil change i will have to have them do some checking! Overall, I love my 200 and the large 8.4 screen could use more apps!!!

• 

  Great Car - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Chet - January 14 - 12:50 pm

  My AWD C model is a 2006. Im very impressed with this car. I came off a BMW 745i Lease, and this car for almost half the money is so much better with more options. Finally an American car that can keep up with the Europeans. Im so glad I purchased this car, I feel it will have good re-sale value. Im also impressed with the Hemi engine, very smooth, but I wish they would have made some better rumble from the exhaust.

• 

  Luxury of the LHS - 1994 Chrysler LHS
  By Lotsagloss - January 14 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this vehicle in like new condition inside and out with 89K miles. The interior: Beautiful and amenities too numerous to mention. (Most new vehicles have the same upgrade options that this car has as standard equipment.)The seating is very spacious and the soft glove leather seats are very comfortable. LOTS of head and leg room. Exterior styling still seems current...no "boxy boat". The trunk is enormous...you could throw in a cot and rent it out!

• 

  Ill probably buy two - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By allistruth - January 13 - 10:00 am

  Owned by two Doctors. Drives perfect, runs perfect, looks perfect. Best value for the best car. Waiting for the supercharged version.

• 

  A Great Vehicle - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Jim/Joy - January 13 - 10:00 am

  The handling is great and the comfort is terrific. It is womderful driving experience.

• 

  Happy, but not happy - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Pacifica Mom - January 13 - 10:00 am

  Over all design of the car is great. People will stop to look and you will be noticed coming down the street. The comfort of the car is pretty good but the seat is a little short. Right now I am having trouble with the radiator fan, it seems to have a mind of its own.