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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  Love my LHS - 2000 Chrysler LHS
  By Kay - July 1 - 2:34 pm

  My Chrysler has been such a reliable vehicle and the design is great. Even though it is now 9 years old, it does not look or feel like a dated car. It is the most comfortable ride - for driver and for passengers.

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  Love My Crossfire Convertible - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Crossfire Lover - July 1 - 12:14 am

  Since my drive home from the Dealership in August 2004, I still love my Crossfire. I got the Pearlcoat Yellow exterior color with black leather seating. When driving on City streets or the Highway, I still get thumbs up from other drivers. The Mercedes engine gives it wonderful power and "super get up and gone". The Mercedes suspension handling is first-class and the ride is always a thrill. Lots of sensors, 3 braking systems, 18 and 19 inch tires, beautiful looking engine and a sexy as heck exterior design. And with all that, it is a totally fun car to drive. Try one and see.

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  HEMI!!!! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By R.D. - June 30 - 10:00 am

  great, great, look , everyone who sees it tries to figure out what im drivinr....., can ya say Hemi????

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  King of the Road - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By dbd - June 30 - 10:00 am

  GM & Ford better go back to the drawing board. Chrysler is onthe come back, BIG TIME.

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  Sweeeeeeeeet! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By mochamixx1 - June 30 - 10:00 am

  Attention getter! This is an awesome car.

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  The best care for your money - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Kenneth Ison - June 30 - 10:00 am

  This car is the best care any one can wish for hope for and have. We purchased this car 3weeks ago, we have 2 other vehicles and we havent been in them since. The car is very roomy and the style of the car is awsome, we get so many complaments on the car we get looks questions all the above, my fiance was going to buy a BMW before I saw this car and told him he better not, I took him to the dealer and that was all she wrote. This car is the bomb I love it, I love it, I love.

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  best all weather performance sedan - 2010 Chrysler 300
  By Paul Laisy - June 29 - 4:55 am

  Drive at 75 to 85 mph and consistently get 19 to 21 mpg. Excellent handling and performance. Very capable on snow and ice with auto-4wheel drive. Love the car but am unhappy that I can not get another with v8 and awd. The newer multi-gear trans. in this car would have been very nice. I may have to look at other brands now when I replace this one.

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  Gracious SUV - 2007 Chrysler Aspen
  By Walter - June 28 - 10:11 pm

  This vehicle drives like a dream SUV. I am very impressed with the interior and exterior components along with the overall smooth ride and drive.

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  Fun! - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By CrossfireChick - June 28 - 9:18 am

  Ive been wanting a convertible for a while. I was waiting to buy my Corvette but this car caught my eye. Its sexy, fun and incredible to drive. I love the stares as Im driving or parked. On warm sunny FL days, going topless (the car, not me) is incredible. Super fun! Hope to keep this car for a long time.

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  New car - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Don - June 27 - 11:33 pm

  In first 1000 miles had to take car back 6 times to get "Free DVD" system to operate correctly. Car came with DVD in dash from factory and Dealer advertised "Free DVD Monitor" with sale. What I was not told was the monitor was not going to be a Chrysler unit but a cheap aftermarket. I found out the hard way that it does not turn off when folded back up and the key is off. Had to jump car twice before found out what was running battery down. Also had Uconnect system installed and its phone book feature does not work very well. Uconnect does a good job of receiving calls but makes entering items in the phone book very hard.