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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  Having fun! - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Great SRT-8 - December 25 - 9:16 am

  A fun and comfortable car to have. Rides smooth and accelerates instantly when you need it.

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  3,985 Miles in two weeks! My Pacific Impressions - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Jaypoocha - December 24 - 6:48 pm

  Overall, the 2017 Pacifica Limited with all major options is a wonderful minivan. I traded my 2014 Honda Odyssey Elite for 2.5 weeks ago for the Pacifica. The Pacifica excels in the following areas: 1. Front Passenger Seat Comfort is incredible with the 8 way power and lumbar support 2. Quiet cabin on the highway in comparison to my previous minivan 3. Great upgraded audio system 4. Great cabin visibility 5. The ACC - the adaptive cruise control works without flaw, except when changing lanes it attempts to break when not needed until it fully clears the lane 6. The dashboard cluster is very nicely designed and aesthetically pleasing 7. The stow-and-go seats are incredibly easy to use and stow. I love this feature on the Pacifica. 8. The electrically adjustable 3rd row seat is a winner for my kids on long trips for comfort! 9. Incredible fuel economy on the highway of 25.5 Mpg driving approximately 80 mph. and 10. The upgraded wheels on the limited are beautiful. Since we purchased the Pacifica 2.5 weeks ago I have driven 3,985 miles!!! During this period I have discovered the following issues: 1. The FCW (forward collision warning system) does not function. I have received only one warning during the first 3,985 miles. In comparison, I received numerous per day on my previous minivan. I am thinking the system is either poorly designed or defective. I have a service appointment to evaluate this issue. I am hoping they have a quick fix for this critical safety feature since it is the primary reason I opted for the expensive safety package 2. I am unable to register my apps via the U-Connect App store. 3. The 3g installed is obviously an oversight for a car manufactured in 2017! Come on Chrysler, please step up to 4G/LTE! 4. The third row does not come with a floor mat! Any car with a MSRP of $50,250 should have a floor mat in every row. 5. The HID lights are incredible, but the high beams seem dim. 6. The upgraded video package forgot about the third row occupants by not offering a video screen and/or screens in this row. 7. The armrests have two positions, up or down, they cant be adjusted. All-in-all, this is a wonderful mini-van. The Pacifica, in my opinion, is probably the most stylish and comfortable minivan currently available on the market. I was able to purchase it for $42,499 after rebates and dealer discounts. If you shop around you should be able to get a great deal on the Pacifica Limited.

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  Excelent value - 2003 Chrysler 300M
  By VFC - December 24 - 2:00 am

  I like this car better than all I have had, and I have owned at lease 17 cars over the last 30 years. It combines good power, comfort, milage, and affortabilty in one package. the 70,000 mi warrantee doesnt hurt either

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  Chrysler LX 2dr sedan - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Sculp123 - December 24 - 2:00 am

  The only negatives are related to comfort. Auto sits too low and seats are not as comfortable as they could be.

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  Gas Gouper - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Sharon Gantt - December 23 - 10:00 am

  This car uses Sooo much gas its not funny. The cars temp gauge is always above the middle, you dont know if it is hot or not. The handling is kind of rough on the freeway. The brakes are starting to squeal at only 12,000 miles. You cant acelerate on the freeway.

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  tj review - 2002 Chrysler Prowler
  By tristen jenkins - December 23 - 2:00 am

  its got very good handling and is very comfortable

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  Not Bad - 2000 Chrysler Voyager
  By Cranes - December 22 - 2:00 am

  This is my third extended version van and I did have transmission problems with the second van but while under warranty, Chrysler fixed it "NO PROBLEM"-----whats the risk? I personally love these vehicles, I couldnt care less how I "look" in a ride so this makes my van the most functional vehicle that Ive ever owned. Think about it, why are there so many on the road.

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  Awsome!!! - 2000 Chrysler LHS
  By Martin Roush - December 21 - 2:00 am

  This car is the best Ive ever owned! With 253 horses under the hood, this car jumps off the pavement. I put alot of miles on cars. This one is fun to be in, comfortable, and user friendly!! The only minor problem with it is that the back window is hard to see out of. Also there is no place to put your sunglasses. Overall this car is a must buy!

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  Should be better - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By David Cunningham - December 21 - 2:00 am

  For the price this vehicle should be built better. To many little problems.

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  Nice car - 1994 Chrysler Concorde
  By wolfie - December 20 - 2:00 am

  Owned since new, only problems were with the air conditioner system. Great gas mileage. But the center console is way too low for the average driver.