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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  WOW! - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By goodcar - June 8 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE this car! It is a blast to drive. Room for everything. People cannot believe how much power it has and it looks great going down the road. Nothing but oil changes and tire rotations so far.

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  Excellent Car/Poor Assembly - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By beejaycee - June 8 - 10:00 am

  While a fun car, Chrysler suffers from assembly issues. My car will be going back for an engine oil leak, window misalignments, and a door gasket that has come loose, all covered under warranty, of course.

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  Love this car - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Roy Anderson - June 8 - 10:00 am

  There is nothing bad about this car.I had a CTS it had no power.This car a lot power .This is a mans car.But your wife will take it from you when she gets a chance.

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  300M - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By W J - June 8 - 2:00 am

  The 300M has both style and comfort when compared to the others in its class. Easily much better on the eyes that the LeSabre, Bonneville or Crown Victoria. Transmission had problems at about 50,000 miles, but via some negotiations Chrysler stood behind it and replaced it at no charge.

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  I love this car - 2002 Chrysler Concorde
  By mathuse55 - June 8 - 2:00 am

  Smooth shifting comfortable machine. Plenty of pep and not the first problem. Grill ornament adds a classy look. Handles great. Nice interior add-ons (temp, direction,fuel mileage calculator and garage door opener. Very well built.

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  A Good Car, But Repairs Costly - 1996 Chrysler Cirrus
  By Gene Yetter - June 7 - 2:00 am

  I use my Cirrus both for traveling the Interstates and getting around New York City. Its very maneuverable and reliable. Fun to drive even, especially since I installed Sirius satellite radio. However costs to maintain the car I find are shockingly high. For example, the OEM muffler or catalytic converter each sell for over $300 retail. To replace transmission seals requires the transmission to be dropped, and that can run over $600 at a discount transmission shop.

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  Not a bad car - 2000 Chrysler Cirrus
  By Goodie - June 7 - 2:00 am

  This car was bought for my wife. So far, it has proven to be a decent automobile. The handling is pretty good for this type of vehicle and the ride quality is not too harsh. The interior is quite comfortable for long trips. The only complaints I have are the exterior styling and the lack of power. The little 2.5 liter six has to be thrashed to get any real power, and is pretty noisy about making it. All in all a very nice car.

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  Great Find - 2003 Chrysler 300M
  By jbj - June 7 - 2:00 am

  I couldnt be happier with this car. Great performance and incredible comfort. I researched the other imports, i.e. BMW, Audi, Volkswagon in the same price range and this car out performs them. I wanted a big, American performance luxury sedan. This was it. I laugh at my friends who went out of their way to get the BMW 300 series or the Audi A6 when I tell them my car is bigger, faster, less expensive, and American.

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  Executives and Engineers fail to learn or impress - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Bill B - June 6 - 12:48 pm

  Finding anything other than a black interior takes an act of god. Really a color that absorbs heat and holds it, then shows every speck of dirt or debris possible. The transmission sometimes has a lag or can not decide what to do when you need it to, or you squeal the tires when you did not mean to. The engine has power but at higher altitude it needs to take a breath before moving. The second and third row seats are uncomfortable for extended road trips, not enough adjustment in the head rests on all the seats. Second row seats need more support and rests for adults with third seat removed. Infotainment system needs some improvements with ability to bounce between unset stations while scanning stations without having to set a station. Navigation system is a complete waste of every ones time from the guy who picked the navigation program service; to the guy who installed it and the owner. If you launch a BRAND NEW MODEL at least put in an up to date navigation with better accuracy than what you did. Navigation makes me want to rip it out when awaiting directions.

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  Serbing - 2000 Chrysler Sebring
  By Cole22 - June 6 - 2:00 am

  I like the car all around. It handles well and is very reliable. The previous owner had no problems with maintenance.