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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  Radiator replaced TWICE - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By 56981101 - June 25 - 11:23 pm

  Have had radiator replaced twice - both times the radiator CRACKED - first time, hit a small cat, second time, a pothole in the road. Currently having problems with the car overheating and no one can find anything wrong with it. Purchased in December of 2006, basic model. Our only requirements were that it fit three car seats in the back (it does), and that it have A/C (it does not, although we were told it did). Not happy with this vehicle overall. Will be trading soon, if we can get a decent trade-in on it. Not counting on that, though. I agree with the person who said PT Cruisers are lemons.

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  meh - 2015 Chrysler 200
  By Nitrous15! - June 25 - 4:02 pm

  The 200 has a nice look and room enough inside but underwhelms in performance, fuel efficiency and the stereo with the uconnect system is kind of lame. So much sub but not enough power from smaller speakers makes bass heavy songs hard to enjoy. Im an audiophile so this really irritates me, may not be as big of a deal for others. The distance between city and hwy mpg is pretty serious, about 19-22 in city and 28-40 on freeway (depends on incline/grade). The 200 also suffers from a jankey throttle response. Ill lightly press on the pedal and get nothing, a slight press drops gears fast and pulls you a bit abruptly. Not fun. Its a good start to redoing the 200, but theres several miscues that keep it from being a real hit.

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  Lemmon - 2000 Chrysler Grand Voyager
  By 1empowered - June 25 - 10:00 am

  This has been the worst auto Ive ever owned. It has had a problem every other month. So far I have had the following done: transmission (in several times), electrical, drive train, breaks, odd smell from vents, etc., etc. I would never buy another one of these!

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  Problems w/ check engine light - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By James Clements - June 25 - 10:00 am

  Check engine light keeps coming on; Chrysler has tried to fix it 10 times, unsuccessfully. Chrysler refuses buy back or replacement. Cant sell the vehicle w/ a chronic, unfixable defect. I will never buy another Chrysler product.

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  Love My Cruiser - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By suescruise - June 25 - 10:00 am

  In 25,000, no problems. Love this car. The PT is fun, versatile, and plenty responsive. I have the woody sides and the car gets lots of attention. I was scared to buy American, but I wouldnt hesistate to buy another one.

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  This is the Car For you!!!!!!!!!!! - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By Auto Assessor - June 25 - 2:00 am

  I have put roughly 130000 miles on my 99 300m and not ONE PROBLEM it has been great, better that the last Audi I owned!! It seemed that every 10000 miles my Audi needed to go to the shop..lol to think that this Chrysler beat it was a surprise to me!!

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  04 PT CRUISER LT - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Cyrus - June 25 - 1:20 am

  I am less than satisfied with the fuel economy provided by this weak 2.4 L engine. I love the options with regard to the interior configuration. My dog however, seems to strongly dislike this car. Whereas he once was eager to get into a car and go anywhere with me. Now he stares at the thing, with what seems to be to be fear.

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  A class of its own - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By George - June 24 - 9:46 pm

  Very stylish exterior and interior, proven 3.5L V-6 that gives ample power, great handling (amazing turn radius for a car this size), good fuel economy, cavernous and very cozy cabin, exceptional instrument layout, and fair pricing. I only hope many others dont discover what I have, so I can still be one of the "few". This is a great car, which made me proud to own a Chrysler again.

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  Best 6cyl Sport car ever - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Chrysler makin moves - June 24 - 7:56 pm

  This car is just a great car! Plain and simple. I have driven a lot of cars and this one turns more heads than any other car I have drove in a long time. The car drives and handles as good as it looks. You can park this car in front of a 5 star restaurant or run it down the freeway at speeds over 140 mph and this car feels at home. I dont advise you to drive that fast but u get the idea.

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  As good as it gets!!!!!! - 1997 Chrysler Cirrus
  By bryboman - June 24 - 2:00 am

  This has been by far the best Chrysler product I have driven. I purchased the car with 43 miles on it, as a leftover, and have driven it a trouble free 143,000 miles. My only complaint is the seat travel, you feel alittle too close to the dashboard, and with the great room in the back, alittle more travel would have been nicer. Now, at 143K, the car is beginning the old nickle and diming. Radio is getting flakey, bushing and suspension parts need replacing. But after 143K, can I complain? Hell no!