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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  Sebring JXI - 2000 Chrysler Sebring
  By jjtyler - November 5 - 2:00 am

  Dont depend on the car for acceleration. Many rattles and average road noise. Leaks every time it rains ( has been back to the dealer 3 times)

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  Dont believe all you read - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By bruiser - November 5 - 2:00 am

  Drove everything out there, SUVs,midsize sedans and entry level luxury and for the money the Sebring is hard to beat. Nice body,tight handling,powerful engine(V-6),roomy interior and thousands less than the competition.Read all the put-downs about the Sebring but my advice is drive one and see for yourself. Compare it to the Camry,Altima and Passat and look at the handling,ride,quietness,power,interior room and the looks. THEN look at the cost.Easy decision for me.

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  Chrysler Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By lincpb - November 5 - 2:00 am

  Great car.best road car Ive had including my Mercedes.

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  my first 4 door grown up car - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By diane - November 2 - 12:56 am

  my only disappointment was fuel economy. Its is the most comfortable car Ive ever owned. my back is even improving....

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  Highway and Country Traveler - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By Don300 - November 1 - 2:00 am

  After driving BMWs for years, I was looking for a good mix of handling and performance without the BMW repair bills: A fully loaded (including Perf/Handling package and sunroof) 300M. The original Michelin Pilot 17" tires are now about half worn, and only "talk" to me when I really lean into a corner. The front end is rock solid at 80+. I like the auto-stick for control on mountain roads (I drive them almost daily). I also like the mileage (avg 24 and 30 on the open hwy). It had a vacuum leak initially, but they fixed it in one visit. Its not a racer, but it will out- handle any other 4 door Detroit monster. Good job Chrysler.

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  cool car!! - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By craby - October 31 - 10:00 am

  waited 4 months for the car, it was worth it.gt model is the way to go. the car is a head turner,really gets the looks.my last car was an eclipse gt convertible.pt much nicer ride more room and better looks.

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  Finally An American Car That Rocks!!! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Teamjon251 - October 31 - 10:00 am

  I traded a 2002 Lincoln Town Car for this 300 C. Im glad I did!! This car is twice the car the Lincoln is. Its so quiet and the ride is great. You cant hear or feel the engine when it goes from 8 to 4. It turns heads everywhere I go.

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  Great car for the Price! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Russell Urzi - October 31 - 10:00 am

  My wife thought I was nuts when I traded in my 2002 Lexus ES300 for this car, but Im glad that I did! This car is great looking and lots of fun to drive. A very classic exterior syle with a grill from the old 300s from the 1950s and a clean retro interior. Everyone makes fun of the interior analog clock but I happen to like it! This car feels more solid than my Lexus and has more "get up and go" power. If you are not careful, you will find yourself cruising at 95 mph and not even feel it. The only negative is the fit and finish is not up to Lexus standards and the quality of the interior matierals could be improved.

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  Nice car - 1995 Chrysler Concorde
  By Abstar99 - October 31 - 2:00 am

  Great car. Not the best looking car but sill a great car to drive. Unbelievable in the snow and ice.

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  Surprised - 2001 Chrysler Concorde
  By Rob & Jen - October 31 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I went shopping for her new car. She didnt really know what she wanted and I couldnt believe she picked this big Chrysler (she was only 30 at the time.) She said my Taurus was too big. This has been a fantastic car. The ride is wonderful, has plenty of power for a V6 in a big car, and hers has every feature. It has completely changed my view of the Chrysler product and makes me want one as well. Plus, we bought at the end of the year and got thousands off the sticker, below invoice even.