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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  Love it but...Frustrating! - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Love it but.... - January 24 - 10:23 pm

  Wanted one the minute I saw it! The day I bought it,master brake cylinder out in busy traffic, didnt get hit!Told by my son-in-law NOT to buy one because of the hood design,little space available to work in.Didnt listen! First:1/2 shaft replaced,front brakes next,Nov.08.Then it began over- heating,June 2009,tried everything possible to fix.Ok now,dont know WHY OR how?Motor mounts broke,and shook bolts loose on everything,starter quit but found out the bolts were loose on it.Running after 3 week search but engine light wont go off or stop blinking.Detected #2 plug misfiring,changed wires/plugs & 2 batteries.Always had chassis noises.Fan cover hits fan, rubber stays broken,cant find any

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  Happy camper - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By arrow sun - January 23 - 10:00 am

  we are very happy.

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  hard ride - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By VSC - January 22 - 6:40 pm

  New owner and pleased with all features except very hard ride. Not typical of American type suspension. Will not keep 300 Tourist if I cant find a solution.

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  Still goin! - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By rawhite - January 20 - 5:00 am

  Presently I have 83,000 miles on my PT Cruiser. Ive only had to replace brakes once, tires once and of course numerous oil changes!!! I do a lot of highway driving and get decent mileage, about 25/mpg. Its a joy to drive!

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  Love it! - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By keith - January 18 - 11:04 pm

  I had owned 4 new Cadillacs before buying the 300 and its every bit as good a car for about $10,000 less but with a little more "punch" but not quite the mileage (with the Hemi). I hope the new owners of Chrysler keep it up... Ill buy another!

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  Sebring convertible - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By VCCole - January 18 - 12:34 pm

  I purchased this car as a former leased/rental vehicle in 2004, so it had probably been thrashed on. Considering that, it has performed pretty well.

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  Great family buy! - 2007 Chrysler Aspen
  By skii - January 18 - 5:40 am

  This started out as a vehicle for the wife and kids, but I find myself behind the wheel more & more. Great look, feel, and handling for the price! Even the base model demands respect!

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  Nice Ride! - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By waterdr - January 15 - 8:22 pm

  Want a van, but dont want one at the same time? Then, this might be for you. Has all the interior comforts and room or a van, but more like a car. Excellent family hauler!

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  Great Ride - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Todd - January 13 - 9:22 pm

  Switched from minivan after 9 years, great styling and amenities, along with awesome v-6 (4.0L) and six speed transmission combo - Less utility than prior owned Grand Voyager, but better gas mileage. Somewhat loud on initial acceleration. Great safety features (rear view camera, air bag canopy, ESP and traction control a plus)

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  I am Impressed - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Gailya Thomas - January 8 - 1:14 am

  I have had my Chrysler 300C for over 2 years now and I still love it. I test drove the base, touring, and limited models and I was not impressed and was not considering purchasing the car until I drove the C, even though the cost was much higher. It handles extremely well and the power to move when it has to is fantastic, especially on the freeway. The only problem I have had is a problem with the brakes squeaking, which the dealer took care of.