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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  the best - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By rcoffey - August 13 - 2:00 am

  the only thing wrong with this car is the cheap goodyear tires that came with it. They are noisy as can be. Replace them and the road noise goes away. I have 45000+ miles and only oil changes!

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  I got a very good one - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By FT - August 13 - 2:00 am

  This has been the best vehicle I have ever owned (28 years ownership experience). Its attractive and fun to drive and holds 5 comfortably. It handles great, gets super gas mileage for its size. 40K miles on original brakes and tires so far. Very few problems with car - driver side window motor switch and a minor transmission issue - all under warranty.

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  My Pacifica - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By JoyvaH - August 12 - 8:03 am

  I love my Pacifica. It handles really nice and is great on wet or snowy roads. My only complaint are the blind spots caused by the high Beltline. My husband put Circle mirrors on my side mirrors so I could see whats next to me.

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  2000 Cirrus - 2000 Chrysler Cirrus
  By John Lush - August 12 - 2:00 am

  Great car. I have had it for almost 3 years now and have had no problems.

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  It fits like a glove! - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Serene - August 12 - 2:00 am

  It felt like a glove the moment I sat in it?

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  One Fun Car - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By oops - August 12 - 2:00 am

  This is one fun car to drive. It accelerates like no tomorrow... Outstanding... Handles the road like sitting in an easy chair.

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  outstanding - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By DENNY - August 12 - 2:00 am

  great new model for chrysler. it is often mistaken for a lexus. chrysler has a winner.

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  This Cruiser Rocks! - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Penumbra77 - August 12 - 2:00 am

  Great pickup with the turbo engine - Ive left a few Beemer drivers with their mouths hanging open on uphill freeway merges! Excellent use of interior space - I fit a 80 inch long bookcase in my Cruiser, no problem! Great legroom - even for larger, taller folks. I give it an "A" for excellent workmanship and I work in the Quality Assurance profession. Oh, and Ive met nice people since folks keep asking me questions about my car.

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  SEBRING - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By douglas hunt - August 12 - 2:00 am

  I PARENTS ALWAYS HAD A CHRYLSER PRODUCT AND THIS IS MY THIRD. I AM 110 PERCENT SATIFIED WITH THE SEBRING. I WOULD RECOMMEND ANYBODY TO BUY IT. IT FUN TO DRIVE NICE LOOKING AND DEPENDED.

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  My aching back - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Returned after 1 day - August 11 - 10:00 am

  Fantastic Car. Great bang for the buck. I could not get comfortable in the seats (they gave me a back ache) and thus returned the car. If you like the seats, youll love the car.