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:

• 

  What a Great Car - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By TexasToy - March 21 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE THIS CAR

• 

  The Best Car - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Tom Wilson - March 21 - 10:00 am

  This Chrysler Pacifica is the best car I have ever had. I have purchased a new car every two years for quite sometime now,(at 58 years old that is several cars)and this is the best quality,best riding,best handling,most spaceous,best looking car I have had.

• 

  The best car I have ever owned - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By taupismoon - March 21 - 10:00 am

  This is the best car I have ever owned! I like getting in my car everyday to drive to work. People ask me about it all the time. What is it like and how does it handle. I have never had a better vehicle before. Chrysler was inspired to build this and I just love it!

• 

  Not as good , as it looks - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By journey1010 - March 21 - 10:00 am

  Had an accident a year later and none of the air bags deployed. Dealership was not honest on delails important to safely. Would not buy from Chrysler ever again.

• 

  Im in love with my PT!! - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By rvrbrds - March 21 - 10:00 am

  Im in love with my PT... I wasnt happy when my husband 1st bought it... now I love it. Dotta was awesome to deal with (thanks Anita). Very comfy! Very cute! Great! Only down fall: fuel economy. Im only 28 with 2 children... Im not ready for a mini van. The PT was a perfect choice! GREAT FAMILY CAR!! All of my childrens friends want to ride in it.

• 

  pacifica - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By kak - March 21 - 10:00 am

  Great car fun to drive very comfortable

• 

  Very cool cruiser to drive and own! - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Tilly - March 21 - 10:00 am

  We are the PROUD owners of an inferno red PT cruiser GT turbo convertible! There is lots of leg room, my husband & I can sit in the back comfortably. There isnt anything I havent been able to fit into the car yet for storage. The turbo model has awesome pick-up! We live in the midwest, & will have to wait & see how it handles in the snow, the traction control is great so far in the rain. This is a very fun car to drive, & its very functional too. Havent paid much attention to the gas mileage, guess its about average with other cars weve had. The heated front seats will be very "cool" when winter arrives! Weve had the car just over 6months, & it still looks & feels brand new!

• 

  Turn the Corner / Turn the Heads - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Mahler - March 21 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Electric Blue Cruiser Convertible in May and after 5 months am still having the love afair. It handles and rides smoothly. The suspension gives a ride comparable to most big cars I have driven. The attention to detail and especially the top of the line convertible top make it a real pleaser. I still turn heads when I pull into a parking lot.

• 

  My Chrysler 300C Hemi - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By jwaymoo - March 21 - 10:00 am

  I am extremely pleased with all aspects of this vehicle as indicated by the ratings. The only aspect less than 10 is fuel economy, which relates as much to my driving as to the car itself. With the performance of a sports car, its hard to resist pushing it. I have accidentally hit 100 MPH while passing on the Interstate and it feels like Im going 65-70. Yes, It was recently rated among the 10 best cars for CEOs, which placed it against the Audi and STS, both costing twice as much.

• 

  Luxury - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Dishjkd - March 21 - 10:00 am

  I just purchased this vehicle and am in amazement at the performance. Its beauty is breathtaking. I cant go down any road without several "glares" and fingers pointing. It is quiet, superior comfort and just plain A+. I love the Chrysler product. Have owned a 300M before this and this one is way superior.