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 Value - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By C. Hill - March 16 - 2:00 am

  I had my 300m for 1 yr, 3 mos. before I totaled it. Im currently shopping for another one. The car looks great and is loaded with just about any creature comfort you can think of. I only had one repair issue (speed sensor failed which caused the gears to not shift automatically) which was covered by the warranty. The cars only shortcoming is its average fuel economy.

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  First Car - 1995 Chrysler Sebring
  By Eliyas - March 15 - 2:00 am

  This being my first car, ive learned alot. This car is a very nice car to drive, and to own. Very fast, but kills the gas. The brakes on this thing are amazing, i think its all sports type brakes. One thing you should watch out before buying this car is that parts are very expensive for this car. The engine is all mitsu, and this car is the EXACT same as the dodge avenger, and the mitsu eclipse. Love the bucket seats and the stock speaker system. AUTO SUNROOF IS AMAZING.

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  Hire some engineers 4 crying out loud - 1997 Chrysler Cirrus
  By tgjr - March 15 - 2:00 am

  The body and interior are great. The mechanical layout and design quality are terrible! Service perfomed in the first 100K miles... Replaced transmission servo-valve package due to leaks. Research has shown that this is a common issue for this Chysler transmission. Replaced front axle Replaced water pump Replaced timing belt (when will manufacturers stop burying a limited life component deep inside the engine?!? Duh!!! Other normal wear items (brakes, etc.)

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  Jury still out - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By Amfamman - March 15 - 2:00 am

  After owning my 300M for one year, I have mixed feelings. Style both interior and exterior are excellent, except it is hard to see out back window when reversing. Auto transmission shift from 1st to 2nd comes too soon for impresssive acceleration. Wind noise is intrusive. But car is responsive, fun- to-drive, fast, distinctive, and generates lots of compliments.

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  My First American Car - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By architect.ed - March 14 - 10:16 pm

  I fell in love with the styling, read all the automotive magazine reviews and found an early model for sale in Florida while visiting my dad. I bought the car without a test drive, and was actually worried that maybe I wouldnt like it as much as the reviewers did. No fear, I love this car, for its versatility, driving ease, and comfort. Had it now 5 years and no problems - none. Still tight and solid feeling. Poor gas milage (22mpg average) is my only complaint. I hope that I can keep it another 5 years, but worry a bit about long term reliability issues of most American cars. It is not a German car but certainly better than I expected.

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  My Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By cookie921 - March 14 - 10:00 am

  I have the FWD Pacifica and the ride is extremely comfortable. I have ongoing medical problems with my lower back and a major nerve on my right side and have been able to travel long distance, arriving at my destination feeling better than I did in the vehicle it replaced. The ride is smooth and it does not hesitate when the speed is accelerated. This is the best auto purchase Ive made to date.Stabilizer very effective for driving in rain and especially in snow. I live in the mountains and it handles the different terrain as if it was on flat land.Finally,this vehicle offers a smooth ride and very good performance.

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  home run - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By dkrhardy - March 14 - 10:00 am

  My wife did not like the looks until she saw one in person, then she thought it looked very classy. Me too, and its got a HEMI!! :-) Solid, smooth, makes me feel elegant while burning rubber.

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  Fire the interior designers - 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
  By T2 - March 13 - 11:12 am

  It is impossible to know what the interior designer were thinking when the decided on the selection of colors for the interior. WHITE (Alloy) for a steering wheel and the door sills. This is a family vehicle, that means kids in and out - these sills will be dirty and scuffed very quickly. Also no grey choices, just brown, white and balck (seats only). Last item is the fact that it can not town ANYTHING not even a bike rack......

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  Mechanically Unreliable Car - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By Emserl - March 13 - 2:00 am

  This car has developed a coolant leak, brake fluid leak, and there is fuel leaking into the oil. It has been taken to numerous dealers for repair, that claim nothing is wrong with the car. Ive had the oil tested by an independent lab that verifies the percentage of fuel in the oil steadily increases. I constantly have to add coolant and brake fluid, but the leaks cannot be detected. Ive called Chrysler Corp. They claim it is impossible for the fuel to leak into the oil and that there are no leaks.

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  Better than my last car - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Dave - March 12 - 1:56 pm

  Ive had the car for 6 months now and it has only had one problem, it needed a new wiring loom in the drivers door. I traded in an 05 RWD Magnum to buy the Pacifica after I had a multitude of problems with the Dodge ESP system that dragged the car to the right. I think the overall impression I have is that its a good, solid car that is pretty comfortable and does the job I want it to. I would like to see a V8 option on the engine list and a five speed auto stick box, this would improve the gas mileage from my current 20.1 mpg. Maybe even a turbo diesel engine option would be a good idea for those long trips on the interstate? Having now tried the AWD in the snow, Im still very satisfied.