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:

• 

  Marios Review - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Mario - December 4 - 12:23 pm

  This is a well built vehicle that handles well especially in the snow belt of Upstate New York. It has been driven from Troy, Ny to St. Louis, MO at least twice in the last 2 years and has handled exceptionally well with a smooth ride and gas mileage as suggested by Chrysler (24-25 mpg) on the highway.

• 

  200 S - 2015 Chrysler 200
  By Brett - December 4 - 2:19 am

  We bought this car when they first came out and we still love it . Good mileage ,good ride,very quiet in the cabin.

• 

  Great alternative to SUV - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Sherry - December 2 - 2:26 pm

  Slightly underpowered, but overall a very comfortable riding vehicle the integrated Video system fabulous except when screen is down you have no rear view, but quality sound! Seating for 6 is nice. Very roomy 3rd row. Very hard to back up, large blind spots in back corners. But that is the only downfall of the vehicle. Vehicle appears to be more expensive than it is. We not some instability in cornering but over all we really are happy with it.

• 

  tires - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By gus - December 1 - 12:56 am

  this car is a beautifull car all around. exept for the cheapest and lousy tires on the market,chrysler does not want to hear about. the told me if I had a problem with tires, to complain to dealer or good year, the tire sells on the market for $60.00, who ever e- mail me from chrysler does not have any class,

• 

  Fun! - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Happy in Dallas - November 29 - 7:10 pm

  This is the most fun I have had since I drove an SL in the mid 80s. The performance is great, but what do you expect from a car built in Germany. The style is so much better than the SLK, and its basically the same car. I get compliments and questions about it almost daily. It handles well on the road and gets reasonable gas mileage.

• 

  Finally got my Imperial with a 426 HEMI - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By CanadaCraig - November 28 - 1:10 pm

  When I was a boy - my dream car was one that didnt exist. An Imperial with a 426 HEMI. Finally - after all these years - that dream has come true and its called the 300C SRT8. Its a classic American luxury sedan with the heart [and suspension and brakes] of a genuine sports car. And I know all about sports cars. I traded in a 1991 Acura NSX [that I owned for 11 years] to buy my 300C SRT8. And Im not even slightly disappointed. Oh sure - the NSX was a wonderful car - and handled better - but its not as fast. There is something very confidence inspiring knowing that you have 425 h.p. just waiting for you. [have you ever watched the movie Duel?! lol] The 300C SRT8 is a VERY nice car.

• 

  JUST CRUISN - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By alease - November 28 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE MY CAR!!! That is plain and simple...Just would like a V6, it is a little sluggish but once you get going it is great! Mileage is "average" at best...but I dont even mind that, I just love driving it, looking at it and showing it off!!!

• 

  Not a gas saver - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By ptcpaul - November 27 - 12:06 am

  I have loved this car from day 1, although it is not a gas saver as a lot of people would like to think. these cars lack power and get about 22 on the highway. I installed a cold air intake and I now get 24 to 25 mpg and a little extra oomph, only drawback is on heavy pedal it is loud (Air being drawn into intake) also had problem with trans at 48k miles and dealer would not help with cost, pump went out.

• 

  Love my Roadster! - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By sharon - November 26 - 9:53 pm

  Ive loved this car ever since it was introduced during the 2001 Superbowl! This car is the best little convertible Ive ever driven! I traded in a Sebring Ltd. for this car and there is no comparison! And the looks I get when driving it just solidify what an awesome car it is!

• 

  Lovin the Cruiser - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By crazyc - November 25 - 3:03 pm

  I absolutley love this car. I have always drove Chev and honestly bought this car only because of the price. I bought it as a lease back. I never liked the exterior of the Cruiser and thought they were a "dime a dozen" car. There is a very good reason that you see so many on the roads.....they rock!!! Killer car, Im driving this thing til it explodes or I die, which ever comes first.