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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  Fantastic SUV! - 2008 Chrysler Aspen
  By IOJ - October 14 - 2:00 am

  Weve had this vehicle for almost 2 years now and I have to say that is CERTAINLY the best SUV we have ever had! We have had Durangos in the past-- although nice they do not compare to the Aspen--especially in looks! The Aspens ride is incredibly smooth! These vehicles do EXTREMELY well on snow and ice! We put 37K miles on our Aspen, and it has never had 1 problem of any kind. We have had Nissan Armadas in the past which only get 16- 17mpg on the highway whereas the Aspen gets 20 mpg. With the towing capacity and luxury you get for such a low price, I would definitely recommend this vehicle to anyone looking for a completely reliable, luxurious, and high quality SUV for a reasonable price.

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  This is luxury - 2001 Chrysler LHS
  By Marx - October 13 - 2:00 am

  I bought this vehicle used just about 3 months ago with over 116,000 miles on it. Drives great, runs like a cheetah, could accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hr in just a few seconds. The music and speakers are perfect, the 4 cd exchanger is very convenience. The all electronic chairs, doors, steering wheel music control system button is so awesome. Large spaced trunk.

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  Lemon - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By nike - October 13 - 2:00 am

  Bought this veh aug 2010 Ive had it 3 month just made 3rd payment and it has been the shop now 4 going on 5 time for same noise theyve fixed everything but that noise I really like the car drives nice but this is getting ridiculous that they cant find that noise and fix it I know now I will never buy another one

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  Best in Quality - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By MImi - October 12 - 2:00 am

  Well really like my pacifica i gotta say its the most reliable car and it has a lot of luxury

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  Spot on - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Jeanette - October 12 - 2:00 am

  First new car and I feel very fortunate. We owned a Honda Accord and it was constantly having transmission problems. Chrysler had the lifetime engine/transmission warranty and I jumped. Not a single problem that wasnt fixed within seconds at the dealership or under recall. The torque converter needed adjusting and thats it. 44,000 miles and no problems. I live in los angeles and the driving can be dangerous so the high marks on safety are a plus.

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  Not recommended - 2008 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Yolanda English - October 9 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Pacifica for my birthday earlier this year. I was interested in it because I needed the 3rd row and was tired of being in a many van & I though it was cute. But having the 3rd row seat, it has no trunk room. You cant ride with the back windows down because of the noise the air pressure makes and its a gas guzzler. I wouldnt recommend this car to my worst enemy. Also, when my batter died, I couldnt even turn the key to put the car in neutral to roll it back. To me, thats just not right.

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  2007 Chrysler 300C - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By Steve - October 9 - 2:00 am

  I have only driven this car about 3,000 miles. I am averaging about 21 mpg in 50/50 driving conditions city/highway. On the Highway at a steady 65-70 mph, according to the instantaneous mpg reading easy to get 27-29 mpg. Pretty good for 340 hp. Put your foot in it and mpg will drop to half of previous, although the acceleration is great. Have winter driving coming up, wonder how it will be in the snow?

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  Great car for awhile - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By Brandy - October 7 - 2:00 am

  Bought my Sebring used in 2007. Only problems until now were with rotors needing turning often and the rear spoiler coming off. Recently the front crank seal blew out causing a severe oil leak. Had it fixed and it happened again within minutes. Discovered that there is a problem with this motor having crank shaft end play which causes the front crank seal to come out. There is a bulletin on this problem, but no recall. Currently awaiting Chryslers response to see if they will take any responsibility since this is obviously a manufacturer defect since it has happened to so many of the 2005 motors.

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  Highly Reccommend! - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By TL - October 6 - 2:00 am

  Not comfortable on long rides but in its defense, its not a touring vehicle.

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  Excellent car - 1994 Chrysler Concorde
  By Big ole Al - October 4 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Concorde used, from a friend that had owned the car for a very long time. It still drives and rides like a dream. The leather seats are comfortable, the ride is smooth. the acceleration is there if I need it, It gets great mileage for a car of its size. I usually average above 20 mpg in town and I have gotten as high as 28 mpg on a long ride. I can still spin the tires off the starting line after 16 years and 240,00 miles plus. My only 2 complaints are the cruise control. It still works -- but it is a little jerky on a down grade. And the paint. the quality of the original paint really is poor. If not for those two issues my car would still near perfect. Cant ask for more