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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  Its a great car - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Lorelei - April 5 - 10:00 am

  this is our third Chrysler convertible..had 2 Sebrings in the past. the Crossfire handles great, turns on a dime, begs to fly.

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  Perfect (except for milage) - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Adamson - April 5 - 10:00 am

  I have no complaints about this car/wagon/ minivan. I wish the milage was better, but I knew what I was getting when I bought it. I rides very smoothly, is quiet, has lots of room, and is not a SUV. The dealership was great and I got a price below what Edmunds told me was TMV. I would recomend this car to anyone.

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  pacifica - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By goodie - April 5 - 10:00 am

  My wife and I love to drive the pacifica- it rides great- easy to get the kids in and out of and with the 3rd row of seats makes it great for parties of 6.

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  Love my Pacifica! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By brookside100 - April 3 - 9:45 pm

  I bought mine used @ 30,000 miles, and now I have 131,000. I have had the same problems that I have seen in these reviews...broken tie rods, funky noises when turning, motor mounts cracked. But I love my vehicle!! It is so comfortable, sturdy, and solid. I love the look inside and out, and I have enjoyed the extras. I drive a lot, and I have put on lots of miles, but Ive enjoyed it so much. I would get another.

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  hard to say good-buy - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By ferggsluck - April 3 - 8:56 pm

  just had to upgrade are pacifica for a 05 sienna xle, [two babies growing fast],we already miss so many of the features, of the pacifica,the on board computer,had so much more detail,then even the seinna,,we have taken the pacifica on numourous raod trips[out of state] and in 70,000 miles brakes where replaced 1 time and driver side head lamps lights twice ,but thats it ,are milage averaged 18-19 ,[same as the seinna, 19-20-mpg] I woud and maybe someday will own another pacifica,I already also miss the solid feel and ride of the pacifica,outside of the honda oddesey ex-l or the toyota seinna xle,everything else was a down grade,and even those two, the pacifica,s intruments, where superior

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  One of the best cars Ive ever owned - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By LarryC - April 2 - 11:02 pm

  A car hasnt made me feel so good since my Trans Am in 1979. Other than scheduled maintenance, the car has never been in the shop. With 20" chrome wheels and low profile tires, the car still looks fresh and brand new.

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  best of both worlds - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By gking1985 - April 1 - 1:07 pm

  Essentially the best vehicle I have ever owned. Combines the exhilaration, acceleration, and precision I expect from my Jaguar, and the quiet, luxurious, and smooth attributes I get from my Lexus Hybrid. Im a believer in domestic cars again - you will NEVER feel underpowered at a stoplight, or an on-ramp. The Benz-derived tranny is a perfect mate to the "demi-HEMI" and shifts smoothly without hesitation. There should be no question about engine performance - RWDs performance off the line is jaw dropping (in dry conditions of course). If you want a car you can schmooze the boss in, and blow past the European imports in, look no further.

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  trade in trade up - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By trade in,trade up - April 1 - 7:27 am

  I traded a Dodge 1500 pick up. I am in the army and do a lot driving from state to state. The pacifica is great to drive and comfortable to ride in. I can still pull my 22 ft. Mako boat on the weekends, while driving me and 5 of my fishing buddies in comfort. I dont miss the gas I had to put in the pick-up.

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  Love this vehicle! - 2009 Chrysler Aspen
  By disneychick - March 31 - 8:17 pm

  After looking at several van and SUV models from various manufacturers, I narrowed my choices to GMC, Toyota, Honda and Chrysler. I wanted a Hybrid vehicle, but also desired 4-wheel drive for the winter weather. The Chrysler Aspen Hybrid was the perfect choice. The driving is smooth. I average 20 mpg around town, which includes some interstate driving. The vehicle is solid with all the luxury features one would desire. My model has all available options.

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  Gotta love this car! - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Funfuncar - March 31 - 10:00 am

  I love this car! Its fast, fun, and comfortable. Plus, its really practical for hauling stuff (thats the story I told my wife, and Im sticking to it). Almost no turbo lag (pulls hard from about 2000 rpm), nice handling with a little body lean in curves, but its a tall vehicle, so I expected that. I also drove the Limited turbo, but liked the seats in the GT much better. Ive had lots of compliments on how nice and how comfortable the interior is. If this car is as reliable as PTs seem to be, it will be my favorite car ever.