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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  Dont think I would buy american again. - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By willb - November 14 - 2:50 am

  By day 8 check engine light came on. They did nothing more than reset it & it would always relight within a day or 2. This car was in the dealership more than at home the first year. so many things went on with this car I couldnt even begin to report it all here. They also always wiggled out of letting me use the warranty on alot of the repairs. So as a result I have spent thousands in parts and labor. Now that I have found a reliable independent mechanic and have replaced most parts on it its now reliable and fun to drive so many years later. The dealership was a nightmare from day one. Was called back after 1 wk to redo sales contract (from 0% interest to 5%)

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  Good Gas Mileage? Whats That?? - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By MilNEMGaL - November 13 - 10:00 am

  I love the looks, the versatility, almost everything BUT the darned gas mileage!! I get between 16 and 19 per gallon on a 4 cylinder car! Thats unacceptable!

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  Get ready for several recalls - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Shayen George - November 13 - 10:00 am

  Chrysler trying to capitalzie on the popularity of the orginal PT model is now building them very quickly, with very cheap components. Mine has been in the shop 3 times in as many months. The transmission went out as I was driving the car home from the dealership. Also, the seals in the right rear break cylinder failed, causing break failure. Also, the 6 CD changer had to be replaced. While this last problem was minor compared to the first 2, it does suggest some serious problems with quality control.

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  fun car - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By tonyaes - November 13 - 10:00 am

  have standard 5 speed base model even dealer was amazed at all you get in base model. Only downside not real fast like turbo but well worth the money.Get many compliments and looks very sharp car with plenty of room for 4 adults. Easy get in-out.

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  Eye Catcher - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Ms. T - November 13 - 10:00 am

  Best Car Choice Available!

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  300 T - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By kjj7377 - November 13 - 10:00 am

  This is the best car that I have ever bought. But their is still room for improvement. Overall this is a great buy.

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  CHRYSLER 300C - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By tstrong35 - November 13 - 10:00 am

  WOW WOW WOW IS WHAT YOU CAN SAY AFTER DRIVING THIS VEHICLE...IT IS FUN..SPORTY..CLASSY ALL ROLLED INTO ONE AND THE POWER IS GREAT AND DOESNT SUCK UP THE GAS WHEN YOU USE IT...I TRADED OFF A YUKON DENALI XL AND HAVENT MISSED IT A DAY!! I WOULD SAY DRIVE ONE TODAY AND YOU WILL OWN ONE TOMORROW!!

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  Magnesium Pearl Coat 300C - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By AZ John - November 13 - 10:00 am

  An excellent vehicle for the money. 2200 mile trip MPG 17 - 24. Extremely comfortable and effortless to drive. We have been waiting for this car since 1978. A real home run for Chrysler.

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  Worst car in my 45 years of owning cars - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Peter - November 11 - 1:11 pm

  This car is more unreliable than my 1995 Malibu, which I thought at the time could never be topped as the worst, most unreliable car ever. Don’t be fooled. I’ve owned my limited pacific for less than 6 months and I have a list of at least 15 things that have broken already. I woke up this morning with a non existent uconnect computer on top of everything else, which means you can’t run the heat apparently. Honestly, I am not going to waste my time listing all of the other major problems including the transmission already?! Bad job Chrysler. Worst car I’ve ever owned. Good thing I have the unlimited warranty. You will pay for all my trouble and inconvenience. Horrible

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  very good until fire - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By minus200 - November 9 - 7:06 am

  Jan 5 2007 my 300 caught on fire in spite of returning car in Sept for a recall to fix a fire hazard . The fire started in the engine compartment and although I am no expert - the fire started exactly where the fire described in the recall would have been. The SURPRISE was the fire in the trunk. The fire under the hood must have shorted out some wires and caused the battery (in trunk) wires to melt to the point it caught the carpet in the trunk on fire and there was a pretty big fire next to the gas tank. Thats when I discover there was NO WAY to open the trunk - ALL ELECTRICAL was out. Chrysler is a disappointment in handling my problem. Been very happy with the car until this fire