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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  Fun Car with only a few Quirks... - 2000 Chrysler Cirrus
  By SkyWlf77 - October 13 - 3:11 pm

  This car is a blast to drive. The 2.5L V6 is a little sluggish to get going, but once youre moving, mash the gas and prepare for some fun. The gearing is very low in this car, so even in overdrive, the engine is in its powerband. Just keep in mind that this hurts fuel economy (I average 28mpg with a 75/25 city/highway split). The seats are not comfortable for long trips due to a lack of padding. The interior is plasticky and cheap looking/feeling. Ive had issue with tie rods and strut mounts giving way prematurely. Tires make a large difference in ride quality. Car is still going strong at 150,000 miles.

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  Great car for the money - 2017 Chrysler 200
  By Susan Fitzgerald - October 10 - 7:23 am

  This car has almost everything that I could want in a vehicle. If I could add things it would be:parking sensors, ventilated seats, heated back seat and a charging port for the back. I havent had it long, but love it so far!

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  Fustrated - 2002 Chrysler Voyager
  By Mark - October 7 - 9:43 am

  Good riding van. Not meant for tall people, I am 68". Everytime the van is taken in it is another $200-300 repair bill. I guess it is because of the high annual mileage but still it adds up.

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  Very Surprised on the Cruiser - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Keith - October 6 - 1:13 pm

  Needed to get a FWD car for towing behind my RV and thought to offset GAS with a smaller car. Being a Big Guy was shocked at the room or lack of it in some of these small cars, had to be designed by the same guy who come up with Airplane seats! Got in the PT Cruiser. Liked it at once. Great comfort, smooth ride, okay maybe not the best gas mileage, but all things considered, now wished I got one with more Bells & Whistles. I think the next one will be.

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  06 PT Cruiser convert - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By rpesti - October 6 - 8:46 am

  I like this "little" car. Excellent seating (im 240 6ft) seat a little hard, may soften up. Could be softer like the sebring seats- its a cruiser after all. Basically, all is well but the gas mileage. Im not a leadfoot driver but im getting 17 mpg/city 22 highwy. Much different than what brochures say. Purch 6/06 1850mi at 9/06. Called both dealer and mfr & they say you know -these mileage estimates are done under certain conditions & everyone will get different mpg according to their driving habits Blah,blah,blah. Seems the engine is too small for the size of this car like its under a load and straining i have the touring ed w/ turbo. I look forword for the v6 edtion!

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  Red Hot PT - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By DT - October 6 - 4:26 am

  I have always wanted a PT since they came out, and finally got one. I have the Inferno Red Base PT, and I love the looks. The only issue is the gas mileage. I have a 96 Voyager with the same 2.4 4 cylinder and 3 speed auto, and it gets better mileage in town than the PT. I only have 6k on the PT, so maybe it will improve. My wife wasnt crazy about the PT at first, but she drives it all the time now. I think when we finally get rid of the van, we will go with a ragtop PT. Seating is up high, with a good view of the road. The seats are a bit hard, and get somewhat unconfrontable on long trips, as there is no lumbar adjustments. Otherwise, this is one Red Hot PT that rocks!

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  Owner/operator - 2000 Chrysler LHS
  By Ted Pysh - October 1 - 10:26 am

  I bought this car in 2002 for $18,000 as a "winter" car. I sold my other vehicle and kept this one. I didnt care what went wrong with it and so...nothing did. Finally put in new brakes at 73,000 miles. Put in a new battery out of "guilt" after 6 years. This car has never let me down. Starts and runs beautifully in any weather. Excellent winter driving car. Great road car. Gets 20mpg. consistently which amazes me for a big V6 engine. Its just a wonderful vehicle. Currently 86,000 miles, but starting to show its age and regretfully Ill have to trade it in.

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  I love this car - 2003 Chrysler Sebring
  By Linsey - September 30 - 2:25 pm

  We bought this car 4 years old and I believe it still drives like it did when the first buyer bought it. It is fun and stylish. It gives the feel of a sports car without the price tag or insurance boost. Whoever designed this car needs a raise! This car is for someone who loves driving. You would have to be able to get up and down easily and not have to get to the back seat very often.

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  Great Car - 2003 Chrysler Concorde
  By res416 - September 25 - 5:42 pm

  I have had a very good experience with my Concorde XLI. Well built, well designed, roomy, and comfortable.

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  Nice, comfortable - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By vince120 - September 24 - 2:15 pm

  20,000, 2.5 years into my base Pacifica and everything is going fine. Very easy to drive, more than adequate pickup, good response and plenty of base features have made this car easy to own. Milaege is low of course and its not easy to park, the doors seem like they are a foot thick! When my lease is up Ill consider purchasing this car.