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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  chrysler hemi - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By daje inc - September 15 - 12:56 pm

  enjoyable comfortable and everyone stares at the vehchle because of its breakthough style just got back from a 3600 mile road trip in 9 days and fuel performance and comfort excellent I also own a lexus ls 400 and the chrysler is not as quite but man o man for the difference in money what a great auto.

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  2005 Pacifica - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Redge - September 15 - 12:30 am

  Excellent build quality, solid feel when driving, low interior noise. I love the car. I also tow a 2,000 lb camp trailer with it in the mountains and as a tow car it does very well and far better than any pickup truck. Love to drive this car!

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  pt loser - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By wintkel - September 14 - 6:08 pm

  dealer commited fraud, forged papers, car only got 18 mpg. poor service from chrysler and dealer, could not get warranty work done as parts not available, in the 2 years owned car windows never worked. chrysler advertised a 3 day test drive, wrong, false advertising, dont tell you if you have a trade in that does not apply. dealer called pt cruiser american, wrong, made in Mexico. dealer sold us extended warranty, why do you need this on a 39 month lease when the warranty from chrysler is 36 month, more dealer fraud.

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  I love my pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By workingpowermom - September 11 - 10:00 am

  We were looking for a suv that could hold more people if needed w/o the large size but NO MINIVAN. I almost bought another make and then the pacifica came out. I test drove it and fell in love. I love the way it drives and how it looks. Not a week goes by that someone asks me how do I like it. I went from a suv to this and cant tell any difference in height. It was worth the time it took me to save the money. Cant wait for snow.

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  New Pacifica in a class by itself. - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By MarcH - September 11 - 10:00 am

  I was in the "Family Sedan" market, and checked out a Pacifica on a whim, thinking it was out of my range in size and price. In the back of my mind, though, Ive felt the third row of seats in a vehicle is really practical--especially with a family (4 of us on my case) but I defintely didnt want to go the mini-van route. I was pleasantly surprised by the lease price of a Pacifica AWD, and now its in my garage. I love the styling, and you can tell theres some Daimler in this Chrysler, too! I just need to get used to a larger vehicle than my last sedan (a Passat), but Chrysler defintely stole me away from VW, Honda, Nissan, and others.

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  golden commando - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By lori krueger - September 11 - 10:00 am

  trading in a caravan was surprised at ride comfort and seating position that was similar

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  Enjoyable ride - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By turbocruiser - September 10 - 1:03 pm

  Ive always driven larger vehicles and after looking at several PTs I decided on a Platinum series. I was suprised by the pep the turbo adds and the roomy interior. Ive driven the car about three months/2000 miles now. People constantly look and ask qestions. The car handles well. The headlights are bright, unlike our Caravan. The local gas mileage is at 18. Highway, well Ive travelled across state once and the mileage wasnt much better. Probably due to the fact I couldnt contain myself. The car is a pleasure to drive. The mid-range acceleration is so smooth and quick. Yikes!!! Maybe the next road trip Ill set the cruise. Until then . . . .

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  So far, so good... - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By The YARDI Guy - September 10 - 9:53 am

  I just bought it, after a few thousand miles in Chrysler Sebrings. The Sebring is great on the highway, but a little "boaty" in the city, not to mention too AARP for me. The PT, on the other hand, is just "ugly enough" to keep things on the light side. Plus, its nimble enough and small enough to zip around the burbs. 50 is as fast as I can do in the 300 mile break-in, so I hope it does as well over 70. For that matter, I hope I do, too!!!

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  Awful van - 2000 Chrysler Grand Voyager
  By Tammie - September 9 - 10:00 am

  We have been so frustrated with this van. The second day we had it we had to have it towed to the dealership because of a belt breaking. We should have know then to just take it back. Anyway, it is now on the 3rd transmission at 108,000 miles. I cant even begin to say how many times the belts have broken. We will NEVER buy a Chrysler Van again.

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  fun auto - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By craig - September 6 - 1:40 am

  the srt is a wonderful car to drive, when you treat it like a regular the fuel mileage is fine but when you kick in that 425 horse power engine fuel does suffer. wonder fun auto! looks