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:

• 

  low maintenance,good drive and good look - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By tfahertyesq - October 19 - 2:00 am

  This red Chrysler has to be the best they made. The service was the best for the "check ups". The driving was fun and it came with what were "optionals" in other cars. Mileage was comparable and probable better than and the design is for a "catwalk". Heated seats are a pleasure in the winter as is the back lumbar adjustment. The sound, with both the discs and the cassettes, is beautiful. The leather still looks new. I wish the newest model was as cool the

• 

  2004 Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Decorator Dee - October 19 - 2:00 am

  Best new car we owned in last 40 years (currently have five vehicles). Believe that the low power rap is meaningless for our normal useage, its got enough power. Radio takes a bit of pratice to get used to controls.

• 

  Not A Minivan - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By A. Moore - October 19 - 2:00 am

  I was hesitant to purchase the Pacifica because of the minivan references in every review I read, but after test driving several other cars including the Toyota Highlander, Mitsubishi Endevor and the Chevy Trailblazer, I realized I was ready to make the upgrade to the Pacifica. There is no comparison to those other SUVs. The comfort, handling and reliability are closer to the Lexsus 330 and the Infinity FX35 without the higher price. You definetly get more bang for your buck.

• 

  Fun and Comfort - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By JimmyJ765 - October 19 - 2:00 am

  Great car. Was driving a SUV. No comparison on the comfort of driving. Wanted the comfort of a car and the room of a SUV. Did not want a van again. The PT Crusier fit the bill. I could not be happier.

• 

  I love my car - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Sheila Davis - October 19 - 2:00 am

  This is my first Crysler. I love the roomy interior and the looks of the car over all. For the price it is as sharp as the 50K and up cars. It has pleanty of get up and go. I will look at them first when I purchase my next car. I have seen many 98 models in my area and they still look as good as mine. I am pleased with this car.

• 

  loven it - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By blondknight - October 19 - 2:00 am

  Very fast for a 4 door. Great on fuel if you keep your foot out of the pedal. price to fun ratio is high as well.

• 

  Chryslers Accord/Camry Beater? - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By DetroitIronFan - October 19 - 2:00 am

  I comparison-shopped against the 4 Cyl Accord EX and 4 Cyl Camry LE. I did this because these competitors were within inches in the critical headroom, legroom, and shoulder room and matched the base 2.7Ls 0-60 time of around 10 seconds. (actually, because both the Toyota and Honda are lighter cars with 5-Speed Automatics, even with less horsepower they were quicker by almost a second). So why the 300? Because driving the Toyota is as satisfying as driving a refrigerator. The Honda felt a little more like a "drivers car", but looks like my sisters car. The 300 looks, feels, and drives, even in the base model, like a driving machine.

• 

  300M SPECIAL WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By BRETT E HASSEL - October 18 - 2:00 am

  WISH THEY WOULD KEEP THIS CAR IN THE LINE-UP WITH THE NEW 300C.A BIG MISTAKE ON CHRYSLERS PART FOR PEOPLE THAT DO NO WANT THE REAR WHEEL DRIVE LARGE SEDAN AND THE PRICE TO GO WITH IT.

• 

  New car purchase - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By teach - October 18 - 2:00 am

  Love the smoothness of the car. Extremely comfortable and reliable. Fun features in the car!

• 

  So far so good - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By BTKA - October 17 - 10:26 pm

  Just bought our cruiser and have gotten decent mileage. We are getting 23 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the hwy. We traded in a trailblazer that I loved, in return for better gas mileage. For the price, we really got a good deal. Just as much seat room, little less in storage, but none the less way better on gas. We were skeptical of the "hearse looking car" at first, but loved this inside so much we bought it. Talked to another gentleman with a cruiser that had 78,000 mi on it and never had one problem. Looking forward to many more miles and less gas. Great buy.