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 to own - 1997 Chrysler Cirrus
  By beth smith - May 27 - 2:00 am

  chrsyler cirus lxi black with gold trim - great to look at- leather seats- nice and soft - great looking wheels -

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  Nice car. - 2000 Chrysler Concorde
  By epanico - May 27 - 2:00 am

  The 2.7 engine is a bit underpowered, and the transmission could use some refinement. Otherwise, the car is great. 70,000 miles and its still as solid as the day I drove it off the lot. The only problem I had with the car was small gasket leak in the transmission. Very reliable compared to other American made vehicles. Chrysler vehicles should retain their value better.

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  Chrysler Lemon - 1997 Chrysler Concorde
  By jenser - May 26 - 2:00 am

  2 blown head gaskets 3 Transmissions Sun/Moon Roof motor binds Cd does not work on radio 2 electrical problems - smoke from dash open sunroof trunk opens on its own.

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  I wish bought a Honda - 2000 Chrysler Sebring
  By smithster - May 25 - 2:00 am

  The car has been persistently in the shop for one problem or another...even the mechanic told me this particular model has multiple little problems that all put together make for an unhappy owner.

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  I finally bought one... - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By midwestdriver - May 25 - 2:00 am

  After reading about this car for months, I finally bought one - was held back by some of the reviewers talking about lack of power. I finally test-drove a stick (45 min) - this car doesn’t lack power! It feels great! I used to drive a Maserati with a 24 value V-6 and find that the Crossfire feels as strong (except for 1st gear). The car is fast - drive a stick for more than 10 min and youll agree. The car feels good and is as tight as you would expect a Mercedes to be. Handles well and turns heads. But most importantly, it is comfortable, well built and fun to drive. It feels great at 90 - seems to always want to go faster. Buy the car!

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  Drive it and smile - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By T Bonez - May 25 - 2:00 am

  Do you break into a smile every time you pull your car out of the driveway? Buy a Sebring convertible and you will. Im only sorry that I had to drive for 25 years before I owned this car. I never knew that driving could be this fun. On nice days, when I see other owners driving with the top UP, I am amazed. Mine is white exterior, black top, tan interior. In my opinion, the best color combination - with the top down, it just oozes "summer fun." The V6 provides plenty of power.

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  Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By R. Johnston - May 25 - 2:00 am

  I had a van and disliked it and the ride. This one is without a doubt a very comfortable diving vehicle and the interior features excellent.

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  Quiet - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By carhunter - May 25 - 2:00 am

  This is the best built vehicle of its kind. It handles bumps and crooked roads as well as any car and better than any SUV. The heated leather seats front and second rows are toasty and really firm but comfortable for the long ride. Im sure people hauling items and going up mountains will get a V8 soon but for the average driver power more than adequate. The adjustable pedals are great. The lease back of 3K makes this a steal

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  my pt - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By lth - May 25 - 2:00 am

  i love this car and would have another one.. however, i feel there is always room for improvement- the seats could be more comfortable. it could also be more quiet- i think the engine is kind of loud.

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  Test drove Limited edition - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By drramesh28@yahoo.com - May 24 - 6:08 pm

  I have 2011 Toyota Sienna, its 5.5 years old and has done 68000 miles, so I decided to buy another mini van, since Toyota sienna has planned to release their next model in spring 2017 and Odyssey is planning to release their next model by the end of this year, I decided the new Pacifica limited edition because of the hype that I have seen in the ads. This van looks good from front and kind of OK from rear ( rear is little bit shorter looking). The interior has a good speedometer display and I liked the in seat built entertainment system ( has 1 behind the diver seat and 1 behind the passenger seat). The second/third row seats are thin when compared to front seats and that over all looks weird. The storage cabinet between the diver seat and passenger seat are poorly made of cheap plastic and does not compare to the quality and storage capacity of sienna. The drive it self was very average when compared to my 5 year old seinna. We were waiting for a green signal , when the engine vibration was passed on to the van and the entire van started vibrating, my wife and I thought that the sales rep was shaking his leg but he wasnt. This van is no match for the quality of Toyota or Hondas. Consumer report even doubts the reliability of Chrysler brands and I completely agree with them. Other tactics these dealers use is, they will advertise a very low priced deal ( saying "get your internet price", this vehicle was $48000 and was listed for $41650), I went to the dealer in schaumburg, IL and asked about it and they said that vehicle was sold out??? Sold out in middle of the night? Beware buyers. Quality absolutely sucks. It all looks good on TV, but test drive it for at least a few miles before you commit to buy.