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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  Best new car ever purchased! - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By ejm604 - October 16 - 10:00 am

  Absolutely not one problem area!

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  If BMW wont build an X-7 - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By engineenginenumber9 - October 12 - 2:00 am

  Style. Room. Surefooted. Smooth. Features galore. Overall a suitable car for a man with a family and a need for better than average handling and weekend runs to Home Depot or Lowes. Our two labradors love to make nose prints on the back windows. Car expresses some reticence to climb mountain roads at altitude with anything resembling athletisism. If BMW would make an X-7 or 7 series wagon, the folks at Daimler-Chrysler would have had no opportunity to build it for them. Granted this car lacks the build quality of the Bavarian it aspires to be.

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  handling - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Barby Kroening - October 12 - 2:00 am

  The Pacifica is extremely easy to drive in snow and ice, much better than my Jeep.

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  The BEST Car!! 2005 300C - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Lorraine M - October 11 - 9:40 am

  I LOVE this car. Its cool and fun to drive. It has a great look and the performance of the engine is wonderful! It isnt fuel efficient but who cares? With the look and comfort of this car and the ease of driving I would give it a 100% rating every day of the week!

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  Went for a Jeep - Bought the Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By S.Harris - October 9 - 11:40 pm

  After owning my 93 Jeep Grand Cherokee for 7 years and loving it, then trying the truckish Explorer for several years, I was ready to go back to a Jeep. In the showroom was the Pacifica. After test driving, I was sold. As large and roomy as it is, it drives and handles like a dream. The gas mileage isnt bad either (about 18+ per gallon, better than the Jeep and Explorer, for me anyway). Getting a tow hitch installed proved to be the most frustrating, but its done now. Other than regular maintenance, I only had to take the Pacifica in one time to fix one of the power seats. That was almost a year ago.

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  Have the "base" LX and its great! - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Joe Frost - October 8 - 6:22 pm

  Im at a point in life moving from performance vehicles to a minivan and....Ive gotta admit, this is a nice vehicle. Super comfortable, easy to drive, good on gas, and...dare I say...even a bit sporty in the curves. Pretty good looking too! Very pleased! Update 3-17, After 5,000 miles and winter I can say....Im getting 30mpg on the highway or a bit more and its decent in the snow too. Still loving it!

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  Screw the Editors - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By TCU0505 - October 7 - 10:00 am

  The editors say that the interior is not very good. Have they seen inside a limited PT? Chrysler uses the same materials in my PT that they use in the Mercedes C-class! The only thing that is disappointing (especially now) is the fuel economy. I have after-market rims and my fuel economy has dropped to about 16-17 MPG

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  Nice SUV, but... - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Heidi_D - October 7 - 10:00 am

  At the very begining I relly like it, but at 6000 miles a noise either in the steering or front supension started and the dealer said they didnt find any noise the two times the vehicle was for service. Also at 6K miles a module for the power locks and windows stoped working.

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  great car - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By mrsgreen - October 7 - 10:00 am

  i bought this car because i previously owned a 99 conv. if it hadnt been so run down i would have kept it. one of the nicest vehicles i have ever bought. i know people who only buy foreign, but with this vehicle you get alot for your money. the gas mileage has improved, the ride is nicer and overall, i would buy another one.

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  Fun in the Sun - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Dianaj - October 7 - 10:00 am

  This is my third PT. I kept upgrading till the convertables came along. Love It!