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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  We LOVE this car! - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By Tammie - August 9 - 2:29 pm

  We purchased this car after buying an 01 model for our daughter and wanting to keep it for ourselves. Our car is a blast to drive and the appearance is classy and looks much more expensive than it was. We get comments on it everytime we are out. The gas mileage is much improved on my last vehicle and did I say it is a blast to drive? I can get a huge Sams run worth of groceries in the trunk when the top is up and an adequate amount with it down. My husband likes to stretch way out to drive and at 62" he has no complaints.

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  My 02 300M Special - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By Greg - August 8 - 10:55 pm

  This is the best Chrysler that I have owned. The car is solid and feels great at high speeds. Fuel consumption is very good for a car of its size. As a live an learn lesson, the newest Chrysler Corporation may want to look back at its front wheel drive platforms and manufacture cars that are both fun to drive and easier on gas.

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  2002 in distress - 2002 Chrysler Concorde
  By trisa - August 8 - 10:54 pm

  I have a 2002 Concorde LXI and I love it. Recently I was very disturbed to find that the part I need to fix my drivers side air bag is not in stock and possibly would be hard to find. This has made it difficult for me as I am at this time on vacation in Arizona and I live in Ontario Canada. So can you see what the problem is. I simply want to correct this situation before I head back another 3600 mile drive on the freeways. Seems to me that although my car is 7 years I am not to get the service and quality that Chrysler is always raving about. I just cant believe this is actually a problem. I have had through my business over 20 older cars and have never had a problem such as this.Help.

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  Love our Pacifica Hybrid! - 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
  By Mike - August 7 - 12:58 am

  This vehicle has everything, it has great mileage, is comfortable, and handles well.

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  Kind a nice - 1996 Chrysler Concorde
  By jegolden - August 6 - 6:32 pm

  3.5l eats gas in town, but on highway its great. I had the computer system in the car figure out my gas mileage all the time driving pizzas. I saw 14mpg in town b-4. Leather seats were AWESOME and so was the sound system. Bought car for 2500, lost it to tranny failure 6 months into it that would have cost me 2000 to fix. Good scape metal now.

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  My Chrysler 300 Touring - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By foxylady5858 - August 6 - 10:00 am

  It is very comfortable and quiet, if going on a long trip you wouldnt get tired as there is alot of leg room both in the front and the back. It handles like a dream. If we were to buy another car later down the line it would certainly be another Chrysler 300 Touring.

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  JBHMI - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By jboron - August 6 - 10:00 am

  Averaged 24.5 miles per gallon on 2000 mile trip with 500lbs in the trunk on half of the trip. Performance and handling was excellent even with the extra weight. The best traveling car I have ever driven.

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  Wonderfull - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Gabi - August 6 - 10:00 am

  I like that car It looks like Bentley

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  PT Cruiser - Excellent To Own - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Shawn - August 5 - 1:56 am

  Our PT Cruiser was purchased new in 2002 and has been a blast to own as a daily driver. My parents even bought a PT Turbo. The design and build quality are first rate. People still stop me today and complement how attractive it is. The interior has loads of room and due to the multi-configurations of the seating can haul larger loads than expected. It is a mini, fuel efficient, SUV. The back seat height makes it comfortable for rear passengers to the extent that it is the preferred lunch transport for colleagues - and they are driving BMW 5 Series. I would recommend it to anyone seeking a well built, stylish, fun to drive alternative to the boring econoboxes (Civic, Scion, VW).

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  We love it! - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By pk - August 3 - 10:20 pm

  Weve had the Limited Pacifica for about 6 weeks and have put about 3,000 miles and we all love it! The front seats are super comfortable and feels like a luxury car. Both my husband and I love the drive. The van feels very solid, no rattling at all. We did a very extended test drive on our van to make sure of this because of some of the reviews Ive read. No issues. I would agree that the second row seats are not quite as comfortable the Honda or the Toyota. Our kids dont seem to notice or mind and we love the stow and go option. That was a huge factor for us and I have used it multiple times. Actually our kids like the middle row stowed and sit in the 3rd row. Ive seen multiple folks mention the lack of 3rd row TVs. Every kid can see a screen. Also there are USB jacks in the rear for iPads, you could always but iPad/kindle holders behind each seat if you wanted. We love they van!