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:

• 

  I love my 300 C - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Janet P - September 27 - 12:53 pm

  This is actually my 3rd Chrysler but my first 300 Series. I find it to be an excellent vehicle that really meets my needs. I love the roomy, comfortable interior, the great sound system and the smooth drive. I also love the looks and comments I get from others about what a great looking car I have. I am a very happy customer. Chrysler vehicles have always made me very happy. I went away from Chrysler and have come back because I feel you get great value, great vehicle and great service.

• 

  MerChrysler! - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Yuri - September 25 - 8:43 pm

  I bought this car after looking at many others such as Mustang GT, G35, 350Z, Audi TT and M-B SLK. The Crossfire is a far more interesting vehicle and reminds me of nothing else out there is bland car land. Only the TT has as much chararcter. It may not be as fast as some of the others, but it has other amazing qualities. I love the look, the ride and the fact that it is not one of 160,000 sold. Quality is amazing since the "donor" was an excellent car to begin with. However, the main reason to buy a car such as the Crossfire is the way it looks. This car looks better than many exotics costing 4 times as much. I love this car and it was flawless in the 15 day Florida trip I took it on!

• 

  Drives like a gem - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Frieda - September 25 - 5:13 pm

  I love driving my little PT Cruiser. There are some things I dislike such as gas mileage, arm rest and especially the backup lights. At night, with no street lights, it is difficult to see where or what you might be backing into.

• 

  Hits & Misses - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Doc - September 25 - 5:23 am

  Overall, a great, full to drive and true head turner. The Hemi gives the car plenty of get up and go, acceleration is outstanding and responsive. Plenty of interior room, well laid out instrumentation. Seating needs more bolstering, better designed buckets to keep you from sliding, better interior noise dampening to provider a quieter ride and reduce wind and road noises. The vehicle appearance demands attention and gets you notice on the road. Longer seat bottoms are needed for tall driver, or seat extension. Car provides great leg room. I am over 6 feet and this cars allows me to adjust my seat all the way back and still have room to get in the back seat and be comfort. Great car.

• 

  Come On Chrysler You Can Do Better!!!!! - 2015 Chrysler 200
  By PrincesSarah - September 21 - 8:18 pm

  Yeah the car looks nice and has somewhat of a luxury feel but the ride is anything but luxury. The transmission SUCKS to say the least. It is very jerky. Nothing smooth about it. It was so bad I took my car back to the dealership to see what the heck was wrong. They said they would do some computer updates that should take care of it. Well, it didnt take care of it, it got worse. GREAT!!! I guess this is just the way the car is. I had a Chrysler Sebring for over 10 years, its too bad the quality for Chrysler is going downhill. I will NEVER buy another Chrysler......well, unless they fix this issue.

• 

  HEMI power - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By xtmracer - September 20 - 12:56 pm

  that car is great. it hauls more then people and it is a luxury car. i have played with a few 350z on the freeway and they we surpised that i passed them. great car. very comfortable. the features are all perfect and the performance is great. it gets alot of looks and attention.

• 

  Im not so sure about this one. - 2015 Chrysler 200
  By James Daniels - September 20 - 5:43 am

  Do your research.

• 

  Nothing Serious... - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By northernpt - September 19 - 1:43 am

  We spend 6 weeks driving to and thru Alaska and back (over 10,000) and enjoyed every minute of it. The car handled long hours of operation with out any problems. When the car had 90,000 kilometers it did experience electronic problems which required new Computer modules, spark plugs and wiring very costly. With proper tires it travels well in rain and snow....

• 

  I cant say enough about it ! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By FRANK BARCELONA - September 18 - 12:46 pm

  I ordered the 300c in june and it was delivered in late august. It was worth the wait. We get alot of attention everywhere we go. The traffic down here in florida is horrific, so the power of the hemi engine and the suspension work well getting in and out of traffic.I would recommend this automoblie to anyone. This is the best car i ever owned and i plan to keep it along time --it could be a collectors item someday !!!

• 

  A good buy! - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By John Chawolsky - September 17 - 10:00 am

  We traded a 1997 JXI convertible and are very pleased with our decision. So far, its had the fewest number of problems that weve ever experienced in a new car.