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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  Mortons review - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Harry Morton - July 12 - 4:53 am

  this vehicle is fun to drive, very roomy with exceptional interior space available both in the front and rear. I get compliments routinely.

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  Best car for the dollar in its class. - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Jacob S. - July 10 - 10:40 am

  Despite the name I love my 2005 Pacifica and without a doubt its more car for the money then anything out there. Just do a Edmunds vehicle comparision and you will know what I mean when looking at 40K SUV/Crossover vehicles such as the RX 330, Murano, SRX and X3. Most of all the Pacifica offers in my opinion the most unique car approach to date as far as being truely a oversized wagon that maintains its sedan like poise, while emphasizing the "U" in both utility and luxury with its room for 6, power lift gate, wood and leather shifter, DVD player, 400 watt stereo, reverse park, 4 heated seats, Blue Tooth, HID lights and cargo capacity. The Pacifica is truely a 6 seater wagon with out equal.

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  CRUISIN TOPLESS - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By WHANNA - July 7 - 10:00 am

  I HAVE NOT BEEN THIS EXCITED ABOUT A CAR SINCE I WAS 18 AND BOUGHT MY VERY FIRST MUSTANG. THAT WAS IN 1967. MY DAILY COMMUTE IS JUST OVER 100 MILES, AND WITH MY PT CRUISER CONVERTIBLE, I ACTUALLY ENJOY THE DRIVE. THE SPEED AND PICKUP GETS ME THROUGH TRAFFIC WITH SUCH EASE. AND THE "OVERSIZE" RETRO STYLE MAKES ME FEEL WELL PROTECTED IN TRAFFIC. I JUST WANT TO SAY...I LOVE MY CRUISER.

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  Best American Car - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By sunset dude - July 7 - 10:00 am

  I test drove BMW-530, 300C and Lincoln LS and Lexus LS. BMW was the best and 300C pretty close. It is almost 15 grand cheaper to BMW. I got 300C and put 400 miles and have no complaints. It is quiet, smooth, powerful, handles very well and very roomy. Great value.

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  Excellent Value - 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By jbcrzn - July 4 - 12:26 pm

  I understand that value has different meanings to different people, but the space utility, design, quality of vehicle, and comfort is unparalleled for the money. I bought mine slightly used (it has 1800 miles on it in the same model year) and I use it as my daily driver as well as for many of my familys long trips and it handles the interstate and in-town driving well. The seats fit me well, though, they are smaller than some, and there is plenty of leg and head room for my 62" frame. If I had to replace it tomorrow, I would try to replace it with another PT.

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  Bonnie & Clyde - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By spruce65 - July 4 - 2:00 am

  Bonnie & Clyde would be proud!! We love our new PT Cruiser!! We have driven a mini-van for the last 10 years -- even though the PT is not as big -- we are having fun driving this cute car around town!! Everyone wants to drive it!! Cant wait to get a Bonnie & Clyde hat to wear while driving our PT Cruiser!!

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  Longterm Lemon - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Kbtoys - July 3 - 2:53 pm

  This car has no go, and uses more gas then my truck. Just traded in with 88,000 miles on it and was lucky it made it. Once the car hit 80,000 miles everything fell apart. Sensors kept going out every 2000 miles. Something with a transmission sensor went out and had to get the car towed. Save the trouble and buy something else.

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  Its fun to drive - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Russ - July 3 - 12:56 pm

  I love the looks of the car, and the way it drives. I think it has plenty of power. So far its been a very good car.

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  HOT CAR BABY - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By pt cucci - July 2 - 10:00 am

  I got my convertible last August. Have never been happier with a car purchase than ever before. Love seeing the heads turn as everyone else does - especially like that mines BLACK with a BLACK top - looks like a gangsters car from the 30s... SNAZZY. Being in LA, its such a pleasure to be able to put the top down almost 365 days a year... Even the base model includes everything I need, altho maybe Ill upgrade to a turbo later on down the road...

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  300 C Hemi After Three Months - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Mel Hines - July 2 - 10:00 am

  The 300C Hemi is an outstanding vehicle. The longer I drive it the more I like it. The performance and handling is very close to my BMW 7 Series and I was pleasantly surprised in that area. To me, the drivers seat is sturdy, but not comfortable. The back of the seat is fine, but the seating area is to narrow and Im not a big person. The back seat is roomy for three. After three months, Im very satisfied with the purchase and would buy another. I cant wait until the limited model with more horses comes out. I just looked at the new Cadillac and Ill take the C Hemi and keep $20,000 in my pocket.