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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  Cant Get No Satisfaction - 1995 Chrysler Cirrus
  By UnSatisfied - April 7 - 3:00 am

  Have you ever had paranoia? This car looks good but it is TROUBLE! I have had all four breaks go at one time. I have had to change the fuel filter and the fuel pump! The Odometer light NEVER worked properly. The front end makes alot of noise that no one can find the problem. The keyless entry never worked either! The dealership refused any service on this car and took no responsibility for selling this lemon. SELL IT IF YOU CAN!!

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  2001 - 2001 Chrysler Voyager
  By ROBERT JONES - April 7 - 3:00 am

  Wind noise,

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  Sporty Car w/ Some Size - 2001 Chrysler 300M
  By Paul R - April 7 - 3:00 am

  I thought Id miss my 1986 Crown Vic (but I dont). This cars perfect for "full bodied" folks that want a sporty experience and still have plenty of room for luggage and golf clubs in the trunk. Theres also lots of room for passengers in the back. It handles real well and "giddy-yaps" when you need it to respond quickly. If you "kick" the gas pedal she jumps abruptly, so gently squeeze the pedal to the floor. You wont be disappointed.Interior decor is very nice.

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  2006 SRT-8 driving experience - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Jerry Engle - April 6 - 5:30 pm

  I drive about 60 miles a day on both interstate and country two lane roads. The performance is wonderful. The ride is very stable but you do feel the road through the tires and solid suspension which I expected. I find find myself disengaging the traction control so I can experience the true power.The care is all that I expected.I previously owned an BMW M5 but I like this car much better and 20,000 dollars less. I installed a K&N cold air system and have a chip ordered to install also.

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  The Silver Cloud - 2000 Chrysler Cirrus
  By Vinspud - April 6 - 2:00 am

  No major problems, except need Brakes every 20,000 miles

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  Great Mid-Size Car - 2000 Chrysler Cirrus
  By Brian Rhodus - April 6 - 2:00 am

  I have driven Chrysler now for the last 8 years, and find that the cars are very well built and the engines (mitsubishi) do a great job of moving the vehicle through traffic. I loved the LHS that I had, but career change made me downsize, I paid more for the Cirrus than I wanted to spend, but it is a great car. After the third year of paying on it my sister has told me that she would like to buy it from me, since she knows how it has been taken care of and how much fun it is to drive. GREAT CAR.

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  Way Too Fun To Drive - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By Stu - April 6 - 2:00 am

  Looked at all the sporty 4 door full size cars. The 300M Special is the best & most fun to drive. Great handling & perfect braking.

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  Chrysler Builds a Strong Contender - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By BrettS - April 6 - 2:00 am

  Im really please with the Pacifica. It has adequate power, great interior styling, handles well and is priced right. My is loaded and I love the NAV system one of the best Ive seen. The power liftgate is very convenient - I thought I never need it - now I dont know how Id live with out it.

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  A Beauty - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Jab - April 6 - 2:00 am

  Impressive looks with room, luxury features and comfort. All wheel drive is terrific in slippery conditions. Combines the feaures of a station wagon, mini-van and SUV.

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  Best vehicle ever owned - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Jerry Thran - April 6 - 2:00 am

  It has more power then I need.I get better then 20 miles per gallon in town.Tranmission is so smooth you do not feel it shift. I do a lot of mountain driving and handles great.I use it like a truck,I do home improvement jobs.