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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  Auto Rating - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Carl Rainey - November 7 - 6:43 am

  The car is the most beautiful body style I have seen in years from the Chrysler Motor company. This the only todate that can be given so many styling profiles. I love the car and hope to keep it for many years; and it is the first car that both my wife and I truly love to drive. The car has good braking, and acceleration, however cornering has to be improved. The sound system is great with the addition of Sirus radio. Truck space is adequate.

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  looks great but looks arent everything - 2015 Chrysler 300
  By wrench thrower - November 6 - 4:40 pm

  very stylish harsh ride rattles everywhere transmission clunks and slips sometimes at less than 10k rattles began feels like the shock/struts dont work at all feel every bump and crack in road dont like the fact its is stuck in awd at temps below 40 degrees just make it a manual switch dont need awd until u need it!

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  HEMI is wheres its at! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Haulin HEMI - November 4 - 7:30 pm

  I traded in a BMW 325 for the HEMI, this was the best move Ive ever made buying a car. The build quality, style, and performance is far superior to anything thats out there. Everywhere I go I have people telling me how great looking this car is, even after 7 months! The performance is amazing in a two ton car. Theres not even a hint of a problem with this car. I got every option less the satellite radio. Well worth it. Anyone who gets a chance to own a HEMI should do it, you wont be disapointed.

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  Oh My God - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Pacifist - November 4 - 2:00 am

  Talk about wow. My wife and I have been stuck driving a minivan for the past 7 years. NO MORE. We went to the dealership after we were told it had arrived. We bought the first one they received. We paid full sticker but feel like we got our moneys worth. The ride is great and the look is even better. I am so glad that we can still get our three kids around and look cool at the same time. Thank you Chrysler.

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  Fuzzys finds - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Carol Smith - November 4 - 2:00 am

  Ive turned on the windshield wipers a few times by mistake. The A/C & heat are a problem to adjust so far. Its got alot of pep.It turns on a dime.Handles great.The radio is very good --less static. I like the sunroof & heated seats. Most things are convenient. a sunroof that opens in both directions--for less noise. The window controls are located in the middle,so both driver & passenger can use them. The only thing I didnt like is, the gauge for P-N-D-R is located a little low for me.

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  I Love My PT Convertible - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Pasquale Capocci - November 3 - 2:06 am

  For the price it is a really nice car. It is very roomy and comfortable for a convertible. I drove it all winter and it is very quit with the top up, you forget you are driving a convertible.

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  Mileage could be better - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Atum - November 1 - 1:20 am

  I purchased my cruiser in May 2007 when I transferred form NYC to Ft Lauderdale after I had rented one for my interview and I loved the way it handled and the mileage wasnt bad but it was not as good as other cars of the same category which is a shame considering that this car is really cool looking and handles extremely well. I did not have to change brake pads until I hit 30000 miles in 2010 but then again changing brakes has a lot to do with ones driving not the pads themselves and thats considering Im a bit of a speed demon :)

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  Enjoyable and Frustrating - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By sanman - October 30 - 10:03 am

  My experience with the 2006 300c has been enjoyable and frustrating. I find the car fun to drive and comfortable. I get a lot of compliments about the car with the after market grill and chrome pillar posts and I try to keep it clean polished.I think Chrysler did a great job in the design of this vehicle. The frustating part of my ownership experience is that I expected a little more quality for the price, I have 10,000 miles on the car and there is more squeaking and creaking than I had in the 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 54,000 miles on it.

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  Yet again - 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Chelsea - October 29 - 3:33 am

  Welll I worte the previous comment and I am having to write one again! I bought this car brand new on January 1, 2008 and it is December 31,2008! I drove it all day long, then when I went to drive home I turned my car on and the check engine light came on! Are you serious right now? I am trying to drive and my car isnt accelerating! Then it started to, then it jumped then it was just reving at 4rpm!! It isnt switching gears! So over this! This car must be a lemon! Its going back to the dealer on Friday! I dont even want a replacement I just want a different make & model! No more Chryslers for me! For real this time!

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  Always A Conversation to be Had. - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By jbjtkbw00 - October 28 - 3:40 pm

  What can I say? I LOVE this car. Quick, nimble, and looks that evoke countless "Nice Car" responses from people of all ages. Not the fastest nor the cheapest of the pack, but its the one that stands out from the pack in terms of styling alone. Sound system is great. Sounds even better with an aftermarket stereo system and NO distortion at all. Engine is smooth and seats are very comfortable. Im 5 3" and have no issues with seating other than the occasional knee room issue if too close. All controls are within reach. Dash is uncluttered and all knobs are simple to use. WARNING...if you dont like conversation, this is NOT the car for you. I would buy this car again (this time a roadster)!