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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  FINALLY! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By BEAR - March 7 - 10:00 am

  What a beauty and surrond sound with dvd...wow love this van/car. Handles well and it does have enough power for what others are saying a small motor. I dont plan on driving a load of people beyond speed limits that are expensive and deadly. This is finally what I have been waiting for in a vehicle with these toys and comforts. A++++

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  So far, so good - 2002 Chrysler Voyager
  By claywaterfill - March 6 - 4:29 pm

  It is very quiet and rides very smoothly. I would definitley recommend this van to anyone. It is not a great van for families on a budget as Edmunds says (I guess they mean its okay if you cant afford more?), its a great van for anyone. Space is a little tight if you have more than 2 kids, but its fine otherwise. The Voyager does not offer rear air but, the air vents on the dash are huge and push a lot of air to the back. I had no complaints last summer.

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  A Solid Car - 1995 Chrysler Cirrus
  By skippythetaxboy - March 6 - 3:51 pm

  I bought my Cirrus new in 1995 and have had a great ownership experinece. My car has never been in the shop for unscheduled maintenance. It gets 29-30 MPG highway (with the V6) and 18-20 city. Put a K&N air filter and better rubber on the car, and itll really get up and go! Ive had a totally positive experience with my Cirrus. To hear from other folks who love their Cirrus, check out www.stratusphere.org/indexx.shtml

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  LHS review - 2000 Chrysler LHS
  By curtis - March 5 - 11:02 pm

  this is a nice car for the money that you will spend on it but i recommend getting one off lease

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  Great used car - 2014 Chrysler 300
  By B.Pawlak - March 5 - 9:51 pm

  Good value, shares Mercedes engineering from Daimler days. Freeway mpg was 32 mpg on trip @ 80 mph, takes bumpy roads with ease. 3.6 penstar engine great, own 2 more.

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  I cant believe its a Chrysler - 1998 Chrysler Cirrus
  By Damon1 - March 5 - 9:48 pm

  I have owned this car for over 5 years and have 84K miles on it. Other than a major tune up at 55K the only repair has been one tie rod. Still looks great, sounds great and runs well. Quick get me some wood to knock!

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  Good 7 years - 1995 Chrysler LHS
  By Hall of Fame City OH - March 5 - 8:16 pm

  Bought new. Radiator core and trans. went under warranty. Since,- 3 years very reliable and fun to drive. My business partners often remark as to looks, interior size. Note I feel it is too wind noisy on interstate driving. 67000 miles. Had a good dealer. That helps.

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  Chrysler Cirrus LXi - 1998 Chrysler Cirrus
  By NJ Vike - March 5 - 4:00 pm

  Many extras at no extra charge. Great colors to pick from. Pletny of room and reliable.

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  happy overall - 2000 Chrysler Sebring
  By maria perera - March 5 - 10:23 am

  no complaints- quiet.considering past experiance [wind noise] roomy compared to any other overpriced convertible

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  Reasonable Car - 1995 Chrysler Concorde
  By Exinobel Gonzalez - March 4 - 9:48 pm

  - Good car, especially for long trips. At 100K Miles the engine still purs like new. Only problem was the ignition system malfunctioning and not turning the fuel pump on. Stablilizer Bars and al four shocks had to be replaced at 95 K miles.Air conditioning belt blew at 100K miles.