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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  Overall a good deal - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By ROCCO M - April 12 - 6:43 pm

  Minimal visibility out front window, blind spots all over, and this is truly a mans car.....I had to put 20 inch rims and performance tires to improve teh handling......

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  Wicked Fun - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By juzme - April 12 - 2:00 am

  The most fun I have inside a car while fully dressed. Its just great to drive, and extremely comfortable. I had driven a PT about a year ago, and was underwhelmed. The GT PT is another vehicle entirely. If you have driven a PT cruiser in the past, but you were turned off because you thought it was underpowered, try the GT Turbo.

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  Luv My PT Cruiser - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Cheryl A McDuffie - April 11 - 8:26 pm

  Ive been exited about my PT Cruiser before I even purchased. After purchasing I have experienced nothing more but pure enjoyment with comfort, ride and dependability. I cannot stop loving the Classic look of the PT Cruiser and I still enjoy the looks I get from other people while sporting my car. I purchased the top of the line the PT Cruiser Limited Edition in Cranbury, with top of line "wheels" as well, and I have received many, many compliments about what a "nice" car it is!! Im very happy although I must say.... I enjoy putting the kids in the back seat with the tinted windows and no one can see in. I enjoy people asking me about my PT Cruiser. My mother loves my PT Cruiser!!!!!!!!!!!

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  3rdVan - 2003 Chrysler Voyager
  By FiveDoor - April 11 - 2:00 am

  After five months we have had only one problem that remains unresolved. A sometimes noticeable slackness somewhere in the drivetrain which does not seem to effect driveability has not been found. Otherwise enjoy the van. Build quality does not seem quite as good as our 2000 was. Our two previous vans were both made in Canada. This one was built in the U.S.

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  cool car - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By cool car - April 10 - 10:50 pm

  i purchased this car after renting one love the ride and power rentel had 42000 miles on it i bought this one brand new at first hated it it was bad on gas but after about 25000 miles it was like some one flipped a switch 24 mpg and car is driven by two different drivers would own another one curently have 50000 miles on it

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  The Silent Stunner - 2016 Chrysler 200
  By Sergio Salup - April 10 - 6:42 am

  I got an amazing deal on a 3.6 liter V-6 Chrysler 200S and I LOVE IT!!!! I come from driving Cadillac and Audi so Im telling you, it is an amazing value and something that doesnt look like anything on the road. The swooping coupe like look is an elegant yet sporty one... I truly recommend!

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  Baby bentley - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By leasesqft - April 9 - 1:30 pm

  I just purchased the car. I always drove a 8 cyl...This car has just as much power or more with the v6 on the limited edition than i did with my sts cadillac. Loads of leg room ..Navigation system a must have...Great family car unreal truck space....Everyone looks at the car ...Worth every penny so far. I love it.

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  A pretty good car - 1997 Chrysler Sebring
  By musicguy - April 9 - 2:00 am

  Weve had this car for quite a while and really cant seem to find too much wrong with it. There have been quite a few recalls which is a little disconcerting, but they were all taken car of by the dealer. One nasty problem with the threshhold drain holes caused water to accumulate under the carpet. That wasnt a covered defect under warranty and cost us a few hundred to strip and dryy the interior.

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  Love My LHS - 1997 Chrysler LHS
  By kathie - April 8 - 2:00 am

  I love this car. Roomy, comfortable, great gas mileage, trunk space for two sets of clubs INCLUDING carts! Handles like a dream especially in snow and ice. Chrysler had a good thing going with the LHS and botched it by discontinuing it. A comfortable ride for long trips even for the back seat passenger.

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  RUN FAR, FAR, AWAY!!! - 2000 Chrysler Sebring
  By Chryslerhater - April 8 - 2:00 am

  I HATE MY CAR . . . I knew it was cursed when in the first week, I had two flat tires and one bent rim. I had to replace the brakes and roders a month after I had it. Three weeks after that, the whole car had to be rewired, tuned up, and the transmission had to be partially rebuilt... I have my own personalized chair at my mechanics. The car looks nice on the outside but quickly costs you tons and tons of money. Chrysler is the king of accessories but depreciates minutes after it leaves the assembly line. I have two friends with the same vehicle and we all currently owe MUCH MORE money than it is worth... I really wish someone would steal it...