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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  PT Crusier - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Denis Cich - January 21 - 7:43 am

  This is a great car to drive. we have the Turbo engine in a Touring model and this thing has plenty og get up and go. It seems that the gas mileage could be better since it only has the 4 cylinder. I havent had any service problems, but only have 15,000 miles on it so far. Plenty of room in the front compartment for the size of the car and its fairly comfortable.

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  Pocket Rocket - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By theccur - January 19 - 10:56 am

  With 225hp and select shift, this car can be a hoot to drive. In town it has excellent flingability. On winding roads the brakes could be more powerful and the handling less flexible. Unfortunatly, I paid a premium price for a car that, aside from the drive train, only has a few extras (and leather) over the base model. No, I wouldnt buy it again, but on the whole its been a good deal thanks to the premium extended warranty. Despite low mileage, the turbo eats CV joints and there have been other early, more minor, mechanical failures. Gas mileage, highway and city, is unacceptably poor. Think SUV, which it definitely is not.

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  Only this could pry Mom away from her Sienna - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Hate Toyota Stories - January 18 - 5:35 pm

  My wife loved her Sienna. Me personally, I hated it but nothing ever broke except the automatic door shutter. I can live with one thing broken on a 100k van used for a day care. Anyway, I just didnt like it. We sold it when we went overseas. When we moved back to the states I got her to buy a Mazda5 for the fuel mileage. Worked fine while we had 2 kids but when we had a 3rd kid it become close to worthless. Theres just no room in it. Not only that, I had to put up with the constant drone of hearing how great the Sienna was. "The Sienna could do this and that and that better.... blah, blah, blah..." It was like listening to fish stories. The inside got bigger and it got even better gas mileage every time she talked about it. So, we went to look for a minivan. I was thinking Odyssey, she was insisting on Sienna. On a whim we went to go look at a T&C, friend has the Dodge version and swears by it. So off we go after looking at the Hondas and Toyotas all day. And there it was. I guess the dealer just got them in. Never even knew what the Pacifica was. Hadnt seen a commercial for it and I dont exactly look for vans or really even care. Looked at a Limited. Wife loved the sunroofs. And the seats. And the storage. And pretty much everything about it. Nice test drive. Rode good, very quiet. Went home that night and talked about our choices. She was dead set on the Pacifica. I about fell out of my chair. After 7 years of listening to the Toyota hype she swapped brands. 2 weeks later Im still shaking my head. Anyway, we had them find what we wanted in the color we wanted. Took them a day to have it transported to us. We just wanted the safety package with the adaptive cruise and the tow package (and 220amp alternator). I put 10 inch TV/DVD players in myself for $300 vs buying the entertainment package for $999. Weve only racked up 1000 miles but I actually love driving it. It really is a great van and very well thought out. It actually does get 28-29 on the highway at 70mph. Didnt expect that. And it is very quiet. Very nice van and were both really happy. Looking forward to taking a trip in it. Havent heard a single damn Toyota fish story since we bought it.

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  Excellent car for the money - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By PisciottaLA - January 18 - 2:13 pm

  The Chrysler 300C is a hot looking car inside and out!! The hemi has great acceleration, and the AWD really makes the car handle well. Its extremely roomy inside as well as comfortable. We just took it for a test drive today and bought it. We cant wait to pick it up and get it home. Its going to be a great christmas at our house this year!!!!

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  Mid-Life Crisis - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By dvader - January 17 - 10:00 am

  Very good handling. Cool looks.

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  Fun Car-Poor Mileage - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Quincey - January 17 - 5:06 am

  Heads turn with the top down. Fun car to drive. Car was great in snow. Poor gas mileage is the only negative thing we found. Almost have the car a year now.Tunk opening a little awkward.

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  Fun Fun Fun - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By texas cruisin - January 16 - 6:06 am

  This car is just plain fun. I have always driven large SUVs because of kids, but loved the look of the PT Cruiser. I bought this one for a steal and I LOVE it. It is responsive. It makes me happy to drive it. It never fails. The positioning of the instruments have taken getting used to, but I think it all lends to the different kind of car you see from the out side. Fuel economy is a about 20 city 24 highway for me. The seats do stain very easily so I bought covers. I love driving this car.

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  Anniversary & Birthday gift - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By K. Strodtbeck - January 14 - 6:03 am

  I have only had my car for two months, but love it already. Its an extremely sturdy,stable car. When on the hwy. and a semi-truck passes by, I do not get blown away. I am a tall person, and there is exceptional amount of room in the front, and comfortable amount in the rear seating area. Its a fun car to drive, and the turbo engine delivers when you need it.

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  I love my PT Cruiser, BUT.... - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By xavier pilsudski - January 11 - 2:00 am

  A beautiful car, my favorite. Look, comfort, etc.. But after 1 month I already had to bring my baby to the dealer... 2 weeks later a second time because the problem (with a front window) wasnt fixed and also because an electronic part died in the engine... a very important piece that needed to be specialy shipped!!! And back to the store a month later for electronic problem and the window. Total visit to the "doctor", in 5 months: 4!!! And the front window still needs work, but I gave up!!

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  06 pt cruiser limited - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By doug - January 9 - 1:03 pm

  I use the car for business and drive about 200 miles a day. mileage has been around 25 mpg, on the road at speeds around 70 mph. good build quality. the horn is hard to push and a service bulletin has been issued and will be addressed at the next service. interior is very versatile and the seats fold nicely. the new seats have hard bolsters on the lower cushion which are not comfortable for a heavy person. The handling in the limited edition is good as is the ride, for a small car.