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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  Cruiser--my first new car!!!! - 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Elizabeth - November 11 - 6:23 pm

  This was my first new car! I love my car, although some people said it was an "old lady car." I bought it to celebrate graduation a year ago and the only thing that bugs me about the car is that it is not really comfy on road trips.

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  Ok car, but beware reliability gotchas - 1996 Chrysler Cirrus
  By jmkf - November 11 - 2:00 am

  This is a very nice car -- when it is working. We have had several major repairs over the life of the car (we are second owners, but might as well have been the first, since we got it with 9k miles). The A/C was addressed twice, the spark plugs and engine electrical many times (until out of warranty when a third-party garage actually found the problem and replaced the alternator/coil assembly), and the climate controls had to be replaced once.

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  Roof Rack Design Precludes Third Party Roof Rack y - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Bruce - November 10 - 2:28 pm

  Third Party Companies like Thule and Yakima can not make roof racks for the Pacifica due to Pacificas roof rack design. In my opinion, the factory roof rack is too small to accommodate cargo like two kayaks and/or bicycles and/or cargo boxes. For me, a longer roof rail, as normally provided by third party companies, is an absolute necessity. Unfortunately that is a major limitation of the Pacifica and therefore a show stopper for me.

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  Blast to the past - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By adcman - November 10 - 2:00 am

  Looks great, handles "extreeemly" well. Reminds me of my early 70s. Has the comfort/features of MORE expensive cars. I feel good in this vehicle. By the way, I have owned 5 and driven 6 Chrysler products over the years, Never a problem, maybe lucky, but thats why I feel oh so good in this car.

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  it is a pimping car - 2000 Chrysler Sebring
  By LERAB22 - November 9 - 2:00 am

  i got 45k on the car, never had a problem. its a nice ride. to bad i just sold it. but i got the M3 convertible wich is fun too

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  Well Rounded Car - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By Just Bob - November 9 - 2:00 am

  What a perfect blend of style, performance, and dependability.

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  Too Many Faulty Electronic Parts - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By Honda Driver Soon - November 9 - 2:00 am

  Window operators failed until they replaced all four, driver door switch wont control passenger window, two key memory settings never stay set side view mirrors move when gear shift moved into neutral turning of ignition switch 1st time gets no starter response, usually reequires turning twice Ignition switch replace once previously car drives and handles good, 26-28 mpg gas mileage, arm rest are too far from body to be comfortable for a man 62" although this is wifes car. Road noise from tires is beyond excessive for a car that cost this much I dont care what their excuse is.

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  The Intimidator - 1995 Chrysler LHS
  By Serise - November 8 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car when it was 3 yrs old from an automotive executive. It was cared for exquisitely, so that is probably why I have had such a good experience with it. It looks awesome. Hubby calls it the Intimidator, all black with black windows. Has 115+K miles want to replace it, but with what? It has me spoiled, great room, great looks & great serviceability.

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  New owner - 1994 Chrysler Concorde
  By mason - November 8 - 2:00 am

  I just brought the car and love it. Im 65 and have no problem fitting in it and its one of the best riding cars Ive ever had.

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  Great car/Pulsations - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By bptbob - November 8 - 2:00 am

  The car is 99% perfect. As from other posting this car had warped rotors early and were replaced. Very heavy pulsations when breaking occurs.