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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  2001Sebring LXI - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By MassMan - October 24 - 10:00 am

  Was able to buy it for about $100 less than TMV in 3/01, beginning of recession. Two problems with build quality: (i)the trunk leaked and it took them two tries to fix it (now its fine) and the rear window defroster broke (they fixed it right the first time). Since then, it is a lot of fun to drive! Powerful and grips the road very well. Big enough for three kids in back. 4-disc CD player works great. Blasting music with the top down, whether in traffic or on the open highway is still a thrill (Im 46). I look so happy that people talk to me at stop lights. Very glad to have it, recommend it highly.

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  A Great All Round Vehicle - 2004 Chrysler Concorde
  By Butch R - October 24 - 2:00 am

  The Chrysler has been a great car with no problems. It is comfortable and I really cant understand why I dont see alot more of them on the road. I will purchase another Chrysler

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  Buck Rogers would be proud! - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By indybeau - October 24 - 2:00 am

  Whatta rocket!! This vehicle is way more than I had hoped for...design, performance, value. All the accoutrements in a top-notch piece of equipment are here. My prior vehicle was a loaded 99 Concorde and this car blows it away in most every respect. Driving this 300 is a joy I really look forward to and highly recommend the automobile.

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  Was my 2000 LHS... - 2000 Chrysler LHS
  By agent-e - October 23 - 2:00 am

  ...until my wife drove it. We absolutely enjoy this vehicle. Chrysler made the mistake to discontinue the name, LHS has more character than the sister car (although just as nice), the Concorde. It handles nice, rides wonderfully, has a great sound system. A great head turner...even had an 80+ year old lady comment on the chic style.

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  GREAT CAR - 2004 Chrysler Concorde
  By JHCNSLR - October 22 - 2:00 am

  lOVE THIS CAR. WAS ONE OF THE FIRST RELEASES OF THE PROGRAM CARS. HAD 13000 MILES ON IT.

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  Best car weve owned! - 1997 Chrysler Cirrus
  By bob 2.0 - October 21 - 2:00 am

  The Cirrus LXI has been one of the nicest cars weve ever owned. Weve had relatively few problems with it, other than a few quirky issues around 50k. (the cruise control and the keyless entry had to be "reset" by the dealer). As I recall, we also had to have the water pump replaced, which seems to be a common problem.

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  Nice ride horrible transmission! - 2014 Chrysler 300
  By Jim - October 20 - 11:55 pm

  Purchased the car used with 4500 miles on it and only had it a year and sold it with 26k miles. During this time the ride of the car was outstanding, very smooth with very little road noise and a great interior with everything in reach. The AWD was the best I have driven in the western new York snow. However, there were a few things that were pretty annoying about the car. First, if you were using the navigation system, it would just start to reset itself at the most inopportune time for no reason. Once the navigation came back on it would pick right up where you were and continue. Second, the heated seats is not a button, you have to go onto the display into climate and press the heated seat. I would expect it to be a button right there on the dash or gear shifter area (petty I know). Third and most important, the transmission is horrible. I had the car in the shop 3 times during the year of ownership because of the shifting of the car. The first issue with the transmission was first thing after starting it. The car would rev up and finally shift into third gear with a very heavy shift, into the shop for a reprogram of the transmission. Service tech at the dealer says that this is common with the car and they need to re-program to learn your driving style. It was fixed and no issues for 3 months. Second issue came when I started to slow down. Every time I would come to a stop the car would jerk forward on every down shift. Back into the shop again for a reprogram for a fix. That one lasted 3 months and then another issue came up while driving at highway speeds, while traveling 65 plus MPH the transmission would decide to down shift for no reason and then after about 5 min would go back into 8th gear. Back to the shop for that, and the comment by the tech was “this is odd never heard of the highway speed issue, the other two are known issues”. Good bye car before the warranty expired. The transmission ruined the entire car experience (duh). The car is beautiful and comfortable inside, great features for a “base” car and it was depressing to have to trade in, but the transmission issues would have cost $450 to reprogram outside of the warranty; no thank you.

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  The most beautiful American car - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By rfbreton - October 20 - 2:00 am

  My 300M is Inferno Red with factory chrome wheels and a moonroof. It is the most fun car I have ever owned, and it is the best kept secret in the world. I have driven it through the mountain roads of Colorado at altitudes of over 10,000 ft. and the AUTOSTICK feature of the transmission was a fabulous tool allowing me to safely control the speed of my descent with minimal use of brakes. I have averaged 28 mpg highway and 22 mpg city, but the 3.5L V-6 is ready to sprint at any time. Chrysler has done a great job of proving that you dont have to spend $50,000 dollars to own a reliable, high performance good-looking car... and you CAN buy American.

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  Nickel and diming me. - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By gr5ub - October 20 - 2:00 am

  Replaced the brain, a speed sensor, 3 window motors,2 door locks and now the air conditioner. NO MORE CHRYSLERS !!! and its only 4 years old.Called Chrysler they dont stand behind their cars I have 76,000 miles now. Gonna buy a Honda.

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  Pacifica Limited Review - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Dennis Eaton - October 19 - 2:01 pm

  I was ready to buy a 2017 Pacifica Limited but had (2) issues: First, the Limited came with FALKEN tires, which are cheap Dunlops, while the Touring L, (2) models lower, had good Michelins. What gives here? Second, the Invoice stated the vehicle had a vacuum cleaner and remote opening doors, but these features were not on this unit. However, the MSRP was the same as if these features were included at $42,495. How can they charge you for things that arent on the vehicle? Otherwise, a very nice minivan.