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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  Great Car - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By R.J. - December 20 - 2:23 am

  Edmunds and other no-it-all links pan the performance. It is certainly quick enough for us, although a little less thirst at the pump would not be remiss.

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  Best car I could find for the money - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Robert Griffith - December 19 - 7:13 am

  Ive drove lincolns for the past twenty- five years so for me to switch you know had to have to be a nice ride. The inside design blows me away, there is more room than my towncar.

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  Straight to the point - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By arthuriam - December 17 - 10:00 am

  Overall a great car.

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  Best Crossover Ever - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By 1234 - December 17 - 10:00 am

  This is the most comfortable, stylish, cool car on the road. This car has the best features i have ever seen. I love the navigation system in the speedometer. Even the third row seat is super comfortable. I love this car!

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  Super Cool Cruiser - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Funky - December 17 - 10:00 am

  I love this car, it has a real sports car look - like a Jaguar but at an affordable price and it can seat 4 in comfort, with the top down its a Super Cool Cruiser! Some of the interior bits are cheap plastic but they are on a Porch and Jaguar too! - I think what it lacks in performance and build quality it more than makes up for in style.

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  Life Saver - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By j.g. - December 16 - 11:56 pm

  Bought a 2004 Touring and finally felt safe. 85 year old dad able to get in and out easily. Before first payment due my car was totaled in a 3 car MVA. My car was hit head-on and it didnt budge! No major injuries for either of us. Air bags soft like a down pillow! LOVE THIS CAR!!!! Will buy another Pacifica. Love space between my 11 year old twins with console in the middle. Less fighting between them!

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  What Was I Thinking - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By ddust - December 13 - 9:12 am

  Biggest mistake of my life.....and that includes 2 ex wives. My 1973, lime green Chevy Pinto was better than this car.

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  Initial Reaction - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By MJT1727 - December 12 - 5:40 pm

  Understand the fuel economy before buying. This is a well built vehicle and fun to drive. It handles well and has plenty of room for a family of four with friends. The interior is well designed and comfortable. The base model has plenty of amenities for the normal consumer.

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  What a fun car - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By krd215 - December 11 - 5:33 pm

  This car will DEFINITELY put a smile on your face. Have had mine just a matter of weeks and frankly cannot wait to drive it again. The throaty exhaust and quick acceleration are wonderful. The interior is comfortable and everything is where it should be..easy to reach. Traded a 2006 Charger RT for this car and to be honest there is no comparison...the 300 SRT is awesome.

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  2004 Sebring LX 2.4 - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By CRS - December 6 - 10:00 am

  Great car for the money