Chrysler Research & Reviews

Overview & Reviews

Average Score

4.39/5 Average
7,767 Total Reviews
Make Overview:

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:

Showing 5821 through 5830 of 7,767.00
  • Best Car I Ever Owned! - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
    By -

    Bought it new. Should have kept it for life (but I got a deal for a new Neon R/T for $8K). Best car I ever owned. Head gasket went @ 39K, but was covered under warranty. Only problem I ever had.

  • Best car Ive Owned - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
    By -

    A quote from the guy who sold it to me in 2002. I second it. At 227,000 miles, the trans failed, so its time. It breaks my heart to send it away. Rest of the car is still like new. Ive read the negatives, and maybe I was lucky. I did take care to maintain it. I just shopped around for new, and not car comes close to the interior design of the PT.

  • Very Happy - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
    By -

    Narrowed our choice between Ford Freestyle and Chrysler Pacifica. After driving both within an hour, the Pacifica won hands down. The poor-quality interior materials and ill-fitting panels in the Ford were very noticeable and disappointing. We love the quiet, smooth ride of the Pacifica, the elegant, comfortable interior, the many convenience features and the security of all-wheel drive. Especially love the power rear liftgate. The stereo is awesome. (And it doesnt hurt that it bears a more-than-passing resemblance to the R-Class Mercedes!)

  • my cruiser - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
    By -

    after having a 2005 ion quad coupe 3 which turned out to be a lemon we decided to buy a 2006 pt cruiser, i love this car. it goes so much faster than my ion did and my daughter has more room in the back seat, also you dont feel like your sitting on the ground like in the ions ,

  • not great, but good. - 1994 Chrysler Concorde
    By -

    For as long as Ive had it, I havent experienced too many problems. Its a great, dependable car.

  • In love - 2003 Chrysler 300M
    By -

    I have never been totally in love with a vehicle until renting a 300M. After that, I had to have one. Other than loving all the features others have written about, I was disappointed that the passengers side mirror does not tilt in reverse like in earlier models. I believe that is the ONLY thing I am disappointed in with this car. Tight steering in high speeds, and it has get up and go. I love the stylish body, and love the 17" low profile tires--though in ice and snow, it may be a different story (non- directional tires).

  • Awesome Value - 2004 Chrysler 300M
    By -

    Great value beats all competitors in its class

  • The Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
    By -

    This car is perfect for families who have 2 kids or less. The two captains chairs are like 1st class seats on a 747, and the nearly useless back seats can be taken out to reveal a very useful large trunkspace. Two consoles in between the 1st two rows complment the vehicle quite nicely.

  • PT Cruiser - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
    By -

    This is the greatest car ever. This car should win every design award out there, along with the 2004 Toyota Sienna, and the Honda Pilot. I have three kids, and we owned a 1991 Audi S6. It was so hard to get all 3 of them into that seat, because its so small. Here, the seats are high up, so its a breeze; litterly.

  • Good Family Van! - 2001 Chrysler Voyager
    By -

    I bought it new with the rebate in 2001. Fair price over Japaness counterpart. Few recalls for minor problems but no problem so far. Originally, I was hoping to get Honda Oddysy but glad I took a chance with Chrysler. Great family van for my 2 childrens. Very minor wind noise but ride is comfortable and shifing is very smooth.

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