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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  Dream Cruiser? - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Linda McNeil - April 8 - 10:00 am

  I have only had my Dream Cruiser Series 4 for 4 days. But so far, it is a great car and learning more about it each day. All good.

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  What a ride! - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By momspt - April 8 - 10:00 am

  I purchased just yesterday and Im already in love. Have looked at several other types of cars before deciding with the help of my 12y.o. daughter, she absolutely loves :) The ride is so smooth, the turbo, what power! the room it has is unbelievable. We are a family of 4 and everyone loves it. the kids cant wait until they turn 16!

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  Hemi Rules - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Bob...vette - April 8 - 10:00 am

  First Hemi engine ever owned...my previous vehicle was a Corvette with 350hp...this Hemi has 340hp and moves fast considering the weight..hope the Hemi engine is durable...

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  MY FIRST CHRYSLER I LOVED - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By SOFIMATRIX - April 8 - 10:00 am

  BEEN FOR 6MONTHS AND I LOVED EVRITHING ABOUT THE 300 TOURING

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  MORE GOOD THEN BAD - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By ROBIN BROWN - April 8 - 10:00 am

  I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS CAR. MY 300c RIDES LIKE A DREAM. SOMETIME I FORGET ITS RUNNING. I VE HAD UP TO FIVE PEOPLE IN THE CAR W/MY SELF ,AND IT RIDES LIKE I HAVE TWO. "THIS IS A WINNER"

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  MY fun car - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By willie gadson - April 8 - 3:46 am

  My wife and I wanted the crossfire because we were in the market for a second sport car. We have cars designed for comfort, this car does what it was designed to do, Its fun to drive. It does it job.

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  Fun and eye catching! - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Jason - April 6 - 1:06 am

  Just wanted to say I have had my Convert for over a year now and have over 18000 miles on it and have loved every min of it. It still gets looks everywhere I go. It has plenty of pickup for passing and freeway driving.

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  Youll never be the same - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Solex - April 2 - 9:43 am

  I bought my 300C in December, 2005 and can only say it is the finest car I have ever owned. I was a GM owner for 20 years, but this car spoke to me after I rented one on business trip. Great styling, smooth ride with plenty of power. The leather seating (with heat), the hands-free bluetooth phone, Satellite radio- the car has amenities galore. All of the time I get comments like "nice car" if the person is over 35 and "nice ride" of they are under 30. It is easy to see that Chrysler has a big hit with the 300 as I see them all the time on the road. A great car that is worth every penny I paid for it.

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  Dream Cruiser - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Bueno - April 1 - 10:46 pm

  Owned vehicle with std 150 HP for 3 years and have not had one issue. Installed non-factory performance air filter which seems to make a difference. In my view this car is stylish, cleverly designed and enjoyable to drive. It is also very practical and has amazing storage space and multiple options for setting up the vehicle for the task at hand. I couldnt believe a bike fits inside this vehicle!

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  Excellent Car - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By John M - March 30 - 10:00 am

  Most Fun car I have had......EVER !!! Practical, Great Looker