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:

• 

  A lot for the money - 2002 Chrysler Concorde
  By 022056 - April 5 - 2:00 am

  Very nice design inside and out, excellent blend of performance, size, luxury and comfort for the money.

• 

  AWESOME - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By Bayze - April 5 - 2:00 am

  The car is simply Awesome

• 

  I Rock this thing - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By drivenitall80 - April 4 - 10:47 am

  K, so i bought this inferno red 2004 pt cruiser gt with a premium sound system a year ago for my gf when someone totaled her focus, then we broke up and i kept the car because i was making the payments. Well ive but a crap load of asome bumper stickers on it, these awsome momo TEN-S black wheels on it, had the windows tinted, and every friday night me and my frreinds pile up into it and we go out cruisin and clubbing, i <3 this thing, we crank up the radio and roll all the windows down, its so much fun, i call it a chrysler party cruiser, i even actually have vynl stickers tht say party cruiser, and the way i take turns and sometimes DRIFT youd think the body was gonna fly off the chasis.

• 

  SUPERIOR CAR - 2001 Chrysler Concorde
  By JM Smith - April 4 - 2:00 am

  Previously own a Chrysler LHS: Wonderful car. Now own the Concord Lxi that is simply beautiful inside and out: Country blue and black interior. Prefer cloth as leather burns in the hot Texas weather. The interior is comfortable with all creature comforts like hidden treasures. Multi use accessories show attention to detail for creature comfort. This is a great car.

• 

  Has been a great car - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By Glen-S - April 4 - 2:00 am

  In three years, I have yet to have my first problem with this car. I have it serviced on the scheduled intervals but it has not needed any other repairs. The car is a pleasure to drive, especially on the highways. It is very comfortable and contains every imaginable convenience. Chrysler has created a real winner in this car.

• 

  Worlds Best Kept Secret - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Pete Rackett - April 3 - 12:43 pm

  I bought the PT Cruiser because I was looking for a car with van capabilities but not a van appearance or van handling. I commute 150 miles round trip daily and the PT Cruiser is still a fun drive and easy handling vehicle. The stick shift gives more than enough get up and go and it can carry a huge load with the two back seats removed.

• 

  CHRYSLER LEMONS - 2000 Chrysler Sebring
  By CHRYSLERS FOOL - April 3 - 2:00 am

  THIS IS MY THIRD SEBRING CONVERTIBLE /FIRST ONE BURNT UP @700 MILES [LEMON LAW] SECOND ONE FLOODED,SHORTED ELECTRIC SYSTEM [MANUFACT DEFECT]@15000 MILES/NOW STUCK W/THIRD.CAR AS POOR QUALITY AS CHRYSLERS SERVICE.GOT STUCK W/3 LOOKING FOWARD TO NOW BEING ABLE TO GET A DECENT VEHICLE.PLEASE DONT MAKE THE MISTAKE WE MADE/BUYING OR DEALING W/CHRYSLER

• 

  nice car but not a sport car - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By velo - April 3 - 2:00 am

  Very nice car, but it is not a sport car, the mileage surprisingly economical. and 4 can seat in with no troubles. I have driven the car over 30,000 miles with only one problem: an electrical sensor part of the transmission. otherwise it has been very dependable, this car is all about open/fresh air with comfort

• 

  Very Good, Chrysler Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Merrick - April 1 - 10:00 am

  You will LOVE it

• 

  My review - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Monique Roar - April 1 - 10:00 am

  I absolutely love this car and would buy another in a heart beat. I have had people stop me at a light or at the store to ask me if they could take a look at the car or even what type of car it is. It drives very well. It looks sharp. My co-workers tell me that it reminds them of a mercedes, but without the mercedes price. Pure luxury. Chrysler has out done themselves.