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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  Great car - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By tomdif67 - July 17 - 4:53 am

  We love this car. Roomy, fun to drive around town or on the highway. Wish it got better gas mileage.

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  Can be a good car.... - 1996 Chrysler Sebring
  By sjp - July 17 - 2:00 am

  I am at 107,000 miles and still rolling. I just replaced the timing belt and all the belts. I did have to replace the brakes up front early on but I have been lucky so far. I like the car but I can see where the maintenance issues could be a killer for this vehicle.

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  VERY COMFORTABLE - 1995 Chrysler Concorde
  By ZOLTAN - July 16 - 2:00 am

  FINALLY MY WIFE AND I FOUND A CAR THAT WE BOTH LIKE TO DRIVE. THE SEATS ARE WIDE AND YET VERY SUPPORTIVE. THE CAR IS SO RELAXING TO DRIVE THAT SOMETIMES YOU FORGET THE POWER THAT IS UNDER THE HOOD. THIS IS OUR FIRST CHRYSLER PRODUCT THAT WE HAVE EVER OWNED (BECAUSE OF SOME NEGATIVE STUFF WE HEARD). LET ME ASSURE YOU THAT IT WONT BE OUR LAST.FOR A 95 MODEL, IT SURE SEEMS TO RESIST CORROSION EVEN HERE IN SALT AND SNOW COUNTRY.

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  Be careful of future problems - 1995 Chrysler Cirrus
  By Matt Keller - July 16 - 2:00 am

  Before I purchased the vehicle I checked out Edmunds.com review on the Cirrus. They raved about how remarkable it was, "1995 Car of the Year," but what they did not inform me about were the severe defects in the transmissions of the vehicles. Having taken the car in five times in the past five months my patience with the upstart tranny has worn thin. Just remeber to remind your local mechanics its a defect in the transmision module and not the solenoid. Other than that problem the car runs wonderfully and has a fairly good interior.

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  Why I Like my 300C - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Theodore Madzy - July 15 - 10:16 pm

  I just came home from a two month 600 mile trip that was a pleasure. The days that we traveled were 600 mile days and never did I experience any discomfort. The fuel economy was much better than I expected, 28 mpg. Everything worked as expected and the ride was great. Everyone I met thought it was a sharp looking auto. I would recommented this vehicle to anyone.

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  New car purchase - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By sailorjim - July 15 - 12:56 pm

  I wanted to write this to give prospective buyers a little insight. I purhased the 300C all wheel drive about a week ago and the purchase transaction worked well. I had done my homework, including all written at edmunds.com and was pretty well prepared. The one note of caution I give is the $3000 extended warranty. In retrospect, I should not have gotten it. It goes into effect after the 3 year 36000 mile new car warranty expires, but it only lasts until 7 years or 70000 miles. That is about $1000 for every 10000 miles over the original warranty. It is unlikely that the car will need $3000 worth of repairs between 36000 and 70000. You might wish to consider this before you buy.

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  Very Unhappy - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By Very Unsatisfied - July 15 - 2:00 am

  Purchased this vehicle and was in the service department for the first 8 weeks of owning it. On top of shimmy going down road, this car had a custom paint job contracted by the Dealership. The paint continually chipped off and nobody at the dealership wanted to take any responsibility. Once you leave the lot, dont call them, they are not concerned with your problems or your return purchase. Finally unloaded this car for a Toyota Avalon XLS and love this car. Sight was bad in the 300M.

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  GK Review - 2000 Chrysler Concorde
  By gkvelan - July 14 - 2:00 am

  This is my second concord after since 1998. I like um very much but inside finishing is realy poor.

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  Glad its a lease - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By KennyO - July 14 - 2:00 am

  I picked this up 4/00. The finish shot. The dealer was unable to fix. I had to buff it myself. Day one, the tail lights didnt work. Found that out at 1 AM. just swell. Other problems: an auto lamp that goes nuts in bright sunlight, a crunching noise in the front end but the mechanics cant find it. The car was delivered W/O an air filter, go figure. Three years the State of Florida has mailed the re-regist. paper to Chrysler Leasing and they have THROWN THEM AWAY. This has earned me a nice $ 85 fine while parked at Miami Airport. Complain to Chrysler? They simply suck and are incapable of changing. Why is this car is rated highly?

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  Buy one for yourself - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By superman - July 13 - 2:00 am

  This is the first Chrysler that we have owned. I have enjoyed the car and it is very fun to drive. Handling is terrific and it will accelerate with the best of any brand. I really like the styling and it is a good compromise between four doors and performance.