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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  Buyer beware - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Barb - July 19 - 5:36 am

  I bought this car for my birthday last year...And i can honestly say it was the worst purchase i have ever made...After 3 months of owning this car it started to develop a severe engine miss, its been in the dealership faithfully every month for the exact same problem...Even the regional big wig came down and said they are aware of the problem but no fix is in site...Great...So here i am with a car that i wanted for so long and now i hate everything about it...I will never again buy a chrysler product...Dr. Z you have failed me....

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  Simply the best! - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Deborah - July 19 - 4:50 am

  My experience with this vehicle has been fabulous, clean, fun to drive and fuel efficient. Easy to handle, plenty of room and stylish even for a Diva!

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  black beauty - 2014 Chrysler 300
  By obediah stren - July 18 - 5:10 pm

  great ride

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  Nirvana At Last - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By cistreit - July 18 - 2:00 am

  Great overall styling, performanace and features. Looks great, feels great, rides great!

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  Bad in the snow - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By TPATTON - July 18 - 2:00 am

  A very good car on dry pavement but very unstable in the snow for front- wheel drive version. Back end skitters out in the snow. Otherwise on dry roads, great handling. Probably would recommend AWD if I had to buy again.

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  Sexy and Sporty - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Scamp - July 18 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle drives like a dream, lots of get up and go. Sleek design turns heads. Great stereo sound system. I love it!!!

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  early post - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By back again - July 18 - 2:00 am

  After many years of having smaller cars its nice to have that larrger car feel.Back in the 70s had some dodges and was satisfied with performance,ride and handling.Owned this chrysler sebring sedan only 1mo so not much to comment on yet.Am so far satisfied with ride and styling.Will be reading other posts and report back later.

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  great design - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By sdkerr - July 14 - 10:00 am

  Outstanding design and performance. Automatic very responsive and smooth. Cabin well appointed and comfortable. Some moderate road noise.

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  Omg - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By 318Duster - July 14 - 10:00 am

  Omg I fell in love with this car the moment I saw it. I talked to salesman walked across the street took out the cash and paid in full.

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  My Third! - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By High Powered Howard - July 12 - 11:53 am

  They just keep improving the Cruiser! I loved my 2001 Touring Edition, Loved my 2002 Dream Cruiser, and this ones the best! Turbo helps tons, and the drop top is a real eye turner! Keep up the great job Chrysler! Ill have a 4th!!! HPH