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:

• 

  Dream Car for my son - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Matt - March 12 - 2:37 pm

  We bought this car for my 16 year old son and he loves the car. It had style, a safe rating, and seemed very dependable. Ive read the mixed reviews and was a little nervous, however reviews can be deceiving. All his friends are now bugging their parents for a convertible and our son is very grateful. We would do it again - in a heartbeat - if another Chrysler Convertible was available.

• 

  Sebring - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By carguy - March 12 - 1:53 pm

  I find the car very satisfactory. No quality problems. Attractive design. Looks better that many of the cars out there. Great economy. Only negative, noisy engine at low speeds..maybe need more insulation.

• 

  Nice car - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Beary Love - March 11 - 7:02 pm

  We bought Pacifica in July of 2005 brand new. Fell in love with it right away, needed a large car for the family. We follow the maintenance schedule of the car manual services like oil change every 3000 miles, etc. NEVER had a problem with it yet. Very reliable! NEVER had a problem with oil or anything else. The only thing would like to have different is a better mpg. Otherwise it has been a great car for us from the beginning.

• 

  Good for the money - 2008 Chrysler Aspen
  By Louie - March 9 - 4:06 pm

  We bought our Aspen used with the 4.7 liter engine and so far has been impressed with the vehicle. The only problem we had is with the door panels leather coming unglued but they were replaced under the warranty. On a trip from Louisiana to Connecticut we Average 24 miles a gallon at 70 with 5 grown ups and luggage, that was very impressive. It was the best price vehicle in its class ,the third row seat can fit grown persons for long trips and the vehicle itself it not overly huge. Mechanically so far has been solid no problems.

• 

  A Solid, Reliable Highway Cruiser - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Don - March 6 - 10:36 pm

  Since 1970 we had 3 BMWs, 5 Mercedes & the Pacifica. Interior is a bit cheesey (only 1/2 leather seats), but its a good car for the money. We bought ours in January 04 @ $7000 below sticker. Only problems were a leaking motor mount & a blown EGR, both fixed under warranty. No strange noises but we are on our 3rd battery. My wife has a bad back & the Pacifica is one of the few cars she can travel in comfortably. Actually prefers it to our 2000 S class Mercedes for trips because of the extra room & storage.(but she isnt driving) We mostly use our car for traveling & just replaced the original tires at 54,000 miles. It gets 17/26 mpg. I Would buy another but they discontinued them.

• 

  We got a good one - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By pianoman - March 4 - 3:23 am

  We are very happy with our Pacifica and have owned it almost 5 years (80K) now with never an non-maintenance repair (replaced all rotors and pads from Brake Planet at 60K mi for under $200). Once a window quit working that was left open in the rain, but it repaired itself after a couple days. It cruises at 75-80 mph all day and gets 22-23 mpg, 60 mph gets 25-26 mpg. Town is 20-21 mpg. We have the 3.5L touring. We pull a 2000lb boat with no problems. It has a very sturdy chassis. We have noticed oil consumption, but as I read on here years ago, just check the oil. We change oil every 3000 mi. Wife is happy and never wants another car. Ours is a good one, others on here were not so fortunate.

• 

  In love - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By jordan - March 3 - 9:48 pm

  Purchased car with 12,000 miles on it. Ride is amazing. Typically only keep cars for 2 years. Ill be keeping this one for awhile. Pros: looks amazing, lots of space, solid features, no problems yet. Cons: the door closes back on you when you swing it open, some parts of car feel a little "plastic" THATS IT!

• 

  Love my ASPEN! - 2007 Chrysler Aspen
  By Cool Chrysler Aspen - March 2 - 8:18 pm

  I purchased this vehicle used and LOVE IT more than the previous 2 SUVs I have owned. It is classy, sleek, stylish and has alot of "bang for the buck". I was hesitant about purchasing it at first due to the gas mileage, but its really not that bad. I love this truck! My husband drives an Infiniti Q56 and now wants to trade trucks )

• 

  loved 1 bought 2 - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By super special - February 28 - 12:03 am

  Ive loved the car since day 1 first I bought a 2004 300m special in 05. Loved so much went looking for another now I own a Grey 2002 special Ive had no Major problems w the 2004 had the tranny replaced on the 2002 under warranty from dealer when u buy used always a? about previous owner I love the cars and they look good

• 

  I Dont Love It - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By shehawken - February 27 - 9:43 pm

  10-15,000 miles in since I bought it at 40K. Im coming off of a 9 year relationship with a 98 Bonneville so Im a little biased but this is NOT the best automobile Ive ever owned. The ride is all right, the fuel mileage is abysmal, it gets pushed around like a minivan in cross winds and the build quality is a little suspect (the brakes were completely replaced by the time I bought it at 40K, as was the climate control module. And recently 2 quarts of oil just disappeared from the engine).Its a little hard to see traffic lights (Im tall) but I still just like to walk out and look at it. The styling is just fantastic. Ill take pictures because it might be the last Chrysler I ever own.