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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  our 2nd Chrysler product - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By J.Dunn - June 19 - 1:13 pm

  My wife and I just bought our 300C this month after having nothing but trouble with our 06 Charger. We decided to give Chrysler a 2nd chance simply because we love the style and performance. The car takes us back to another time when American cars ruled the road. We have 600 miles on our linen gold "C" and anticipate many happy miles of driving pleasure. I secretly wish, however, I had waited and bought a inferno red Heritage edition.......We live in the desert and our color choice is perfect , it never appears dusty!! I like the safety factor for my wife and our grandchildren when they are traveling , it gives me peace of mind that they are protected. Its great to have a big car again!!

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  Best Car I ever had - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Juan Garrido - June 19 - 10:00 am

  The car is incredible. It gets a lot of attention and its fun to drive. Even though it does not have the most horsepower it is fast. The car feels and looks great. It gets a lot of attention on the road and everyone is always asking questions about it.

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  Quality - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Bill Martin - June 19 - 10:00 am

  Well designed...fun to drive. comfortable seats. Easy getting in and out. Cant find anything wrong with it. Averaged 23 MPG at 70MPH crosscountry when new.

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  Sebring convertible - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Herman Carroll - June 19 - 10:00 am

  Fun car. I chose the Sebring convt because of its size. I traded in a 1999 sebring convt. for the 2004. There is a lot of improvements in the new model. The other convt are much too small. I cannot understand why this is the last year for the sebring. I dont understand GM decision for the Oldsmobile either. What do I know?

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  Yeah, Its Got A Hemi - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Gnmark - June 19 - 10:00 am

  Traded a 2003 Acura TL for the 300C. Ordered the car, and it took 14 weeks to arrive,but it was definitely worth the wait.The Navigation system is awesome. The Boston Acoustics sound system really sounds great.Also recomend the Sirius Sattelite radio.Oh and did I mention the Hemi? This car is the best deal on the market today.

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  i love my chysler 300 limited - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By ny patty - June 19 - 10:00 am

  wow-what a car-it drives beautifully and causes excitment wherever you go- people stop me and say is that the new chyrsler? gas consumption is better then the suv that we traded in and our car insurance is cheaper because it is a safer vehicle-whats the down side?

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  I Want One - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By EnamouredWith300 - June 19 - 10:00 am

  Rented the base model for a week. Very comfortable, smooth, quiet, and good handler. Base engine is adequate, probabley would go with 3.5 instead. Averaged 24mpg in driving that was 70% highway.

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  I rented A Concorde - 2002 Chrysler Concorde
  By jhmIII - June 19 - 2:00 am

  I rented this car for a few days ,and I LOVED it! When I was on the interstae,boy could it go fast! The greatest rental expierence I have ever had!(so far)

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  Regrets - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By SOFLA - June 18 - 6:00 pm

  The mileage is just awful. How could a 4 cyl compact car in 07 get such bad mileage? Shame on you Chrysler. I have under 20K Mi and have been to the dealer 4 times. My PT stalled out on me 2 times! Embarassing for a new car. Check Eng light came on and off regularly, finally it was diagnosed as oxygen sensor. Clear lens on dash developed 2 cracks, A/C made noise when recurculate was turned on and off. All fixed politely by my accomodating dealer, however it is a hassle. I dread long term reliability and would sell right now if not for huge loss. Front seats have stains from water spills? Should have gone for the HHR for the extra 3-4K $. I do not recomend this car

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  An Awesome Driving Machine - 1999 Chrysler 300M
  By mitholand - June 18 - 2:00 am

  I just love my Chrysler 300 M. It combines great looks with great handling and performance. Of the two Chrysler products (the other was an LHS) that i have owned during the 90s, the 300 M is truly the better machine. I have had absolutely no problems with either vehicle. Would I ever buy another 300 M? Only if I ever wear out the one I already have.