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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  Good looks and performance, Horrible Build Quality - 2011 Chrysler 200
  By philly33flyers - August 16 - 6:20 pm

  I purchased this car 2 months ago and have 3000 miles on it. Car drives great and has good power but there is 1 issue that has ruined the whole experience. The rear passenger side has the loudest wind noise I have ever heard on a car. People who sit in the back seat complain and think that the window is open when its not. Chrysler seems to not care about the problem and says that it is a "feature." Also, I agree with the previous reviewer about the drivers side floor mat moving around and getting stuck underneath the gas pedal. I brought this to Chryslers attention also and was told that there is nothing wrong with the mat. I have since thrown the mat in the trunk.

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  stalls more thean anycar ive owned - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By nonewcar1 - August 8 - 11:34 am

  this piece of crap i got from my ford dealership used, stalls more then my 84 mustang, 81 malibu, 91 blazer put together, ive owned a 2003 pt cruiser too, the dealership told me that it was in tip top shape, a car that was made less than ten years ago should not stall out, at all. ive changed the oil once and it has been worse (bought it back in late may of 2011, now being august 2011) I hhave lost faith in chrysler products, this coming from a familiy that bought nothing but chrysler/dodges, the brakes are choppy at best, the interior is the only redeeming quality it has, next time im pressured in buying a car from this century, im going to say heck no! because i have nothing but problems

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  POOR gas mileage - 2010 Chrysler Sebring
  By kmasue - July 24 - 4:15 pm

  i bought my sebring in feb brand new as a 2010 leftover, an althought i got it for a good price, i have very poor gas mileage with it, along with some other issues. For having a 4 cyl engine, and being rated 21 city 30 hwy, i would never have expected to be getting only 20 mpg at best on the hwy. i have called the dealers service department several times reguarding this issue, and have taken it in, an all ive been told is they cant find anything wrong with it and that it must be the way i am driving. i have also written to chrysler corp and been told the same thing. i am very displeased and will certainly never purchase another chrysler.

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  Pretty but nowhere near perfect - 2011 Chrysler 200
  By nlr - July 20 - 3:54 pm

  I purchased a Chrysler 200 S V6 and was told it was an "award winning engine". Im not convinced of that. I love the car...comfortable, beautiful. But I must say, I am very disappointed in the performance. It does not get good gas mileage at all. I have just under 7,000 miles on the car and the engine has begun to rev while driving with no response from the accelerator at all. Then all of the sudden it engages again with a hard bump. This has happened several times during highway driving and once under 40 mph. There is also a problem with the floor matt, which is custom designed for the S, bunching up under the accelerator. Everyone loves the car, but they dont drive it.

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  take a pass - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By adad - July 19 - 2:57 pm

  This car gave me so much anxiety because it always had some kind of a problem. My axel broke, burned oil, funny noises when turning, ABS problems,lights always burning out ( I finally kept driving it and it seemed to repair itself (abs problem)) always smelled like it was burning oil, Chrysler cs was horrible I finally went into the dealership in front of customers and voiced my complaint...they finally addressed my problems. I purchased this car as a family car and hated that I was stuck driving my family in this unreliable heap of junk. traded in after 2yrs took a huge loss not to mention repairs and traded in for a Honda Pilot . It feels good to drive a reliable car again.

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  Never Again - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By luckypilot - July 17 - 3:37 pm

  As a family we have owned our Sebring since new. It was one of those cars that would never fail for anything. Recently (within the past 6 months) if one thing has gone wrong everything has. Transmission, Cats, Head gasket, intake manifold gaskets. After nothing but Chryslers in our family since 1992, I am currently looking to buy something from another brand.

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  Lemons - 2011 Chrysler 300
  By razmataz7 - June 27 - 9:22 pm

  I think I own a 2011 Chrysler 300, but that is hard to definitely say since we bought it 35 days ago, we drove it 11 days, and it has been in the repair shop of the other 24. At first Chrysler was not even going to cover the repairs under warranty, but then relented after two weeks and no fix yet. Now as of today it just needs new software. When I get this car back (if I do) I have a mind to paint it lemon yellow and add a sign advertising for Chrysler lemonade. By the way, stupid me bought an extended warranty.

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  Finally getting rid of it. - 2008 Chrysler Pacifica
  By robrob1 - June 22 - 7:02 am

  Only the tip of the Iceberg. After 3,000 miles, they tried to fix the dreaded chronic transmission problems . (do a Google search).The sight of seeing the tranny in pieces from my new car made me regret my purchase instantly. They never really fixed the problem, so I was frustrated for 48 months. This car is also a MAJOR GAZ GUZZLER. In cold weather, the dual-exhaust system makes an unbelievable racket. Radio controls (and sound) are worthy of a 70s Corolla, cheap plastic and all. The idea for this car was right, but implementation was an unfinished nightmare. Too bad, it was full of promises. Pros: good ride, seats ok, roomy. Returning it next week, at long, long last. Good riddance.

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  The money pit - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By kimberly3720 - June 16 - 4:10 pm

  I bought this car a year and a half ago, and this car has been nothing been a problem. Far as problems goes, water problems have been the most common. Far as reliabilty goes, this is not a reliable car.

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  Dont Believe the Hype!!! - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By patronabk - June 3 - 7:44 pm

  We purchased a 2005 Pacifica in 07 seeking a car with a sleek exterior design, ample space for three children, durability, and good gas mileage. Unfortunately, the vehicle only met 2 out of 4 of our expectations. Though the first 2 1/2 yrs were trouble free, the remaining 2 have been horrendous! Despite performing regular maintenance, weve had to repair/replace sensors, valves, hoses, batteries, and the entire break system. Right now, the car is in the driveway in need of a new transmission...and its only 6 years old! I beg you to save yourselves the trouble! Do not purchase this car! You will regret it in the long run. :0(