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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  my pt - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By whanna - March 29 - 2:23 pm

  This car has the power it needs for a fast pick up. The ride is wonderfully smooth, and great handling. The ONLY drawback with its design is the huge blind spot with the top up. So the solution, of course, is to drive with the top down, whenever possible. Isnt that why we bought the convertible?

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  What a car!! - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By ARG - March 25 - 10:00 am

  This car is amazing, incredible style inside and out. Fun to drive, great performance. Ive owned many chrysler products over the last 10 years (LHS, Sebring Conv., 300M, Pacifica), this car puts Chrysler on a whole new playing field. AWESOME!

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  So Far So Good - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By GVLVG - March 25 - 10:00 am

  At first I was not sure I liked the car. Now that I have driven it for over 2,000 miles, it has grown on me. I feel safe and secure knowing it has front, side and knee air bags and has gotten 5 stars in the crash test. Handles beautifully but needs a little more horse power. Yet I do a lot of driving with six adults in the car and it does well. Has a luxurious ride.

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  WOW - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By rsingh - March 25 - 10:00 am

  I was in the market looking for Honda Pilot, Acura MDX and Lexus RX330. But boy was I surprised to see this. This car answered all my prayers. It has everything that one could possible imagine and different than anything out there. I leased this one and the dealer was very friendly. 2 Thumbs Up. Kids love it. My parents loved it. 2 other families bought it right along with us. It definitely has a European feel to it.

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  sunset edition - 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By sunset edition - March 23 - 4:33 pm

  I love this car! Ive always wanted one and always let my now teenage daughter talk me out of; she left for college & I got my car (Sunset Edition) the color is great and the chrome really sets it off. I do wish the interior plastic molding was better matched and I REALLY miss my cruise control but this car is great. Ive got a 2 yr old and with this car she can see out from her car seat, with my cobalt my 7 yr old nephew couldnt see out. To me the seats are more like the truck I used to drive than a car & I love the way the seats fold and remove; comes in handy with our frequent auctions and yard sales! In ending this one was worth waiting for. I love the dash board clock & emblems.

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  Saved My Life !! Truly Incredible Car !! - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Front Runner - March 21 - 6:40 pm

  This was the best car Ive ever owned. 61,000 miles on the odometer and not a single problem with it, not even a light bulb. The high output turbo matched to the 5 speed Getrag transmission would put an ear to ear smile across my face every time my right foot headed for the floor. Towing my two waverunners or my fishing boat was a breeze and the temperature gauge never budged from midpoint. When it was tire change time, I upgraded to a 215/50R17 size Conti Contact and the vehicle just got even better. The start of my review stated "was" the best. After getting tangled up with a Porsche on the highway, I slid sideways off the pavement at 65 plus mph and ended up rolling the car.

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  Overall a great car - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Chuck - March 19 - 11:06 pm

  This cars unique style is what first drew my attention. I like the way it is a blast from the past in its design. The 300 Touring offers a nice smooth ride and the 250 HP V6 has ample power for the type of driving that most folks do. The power and larger body size does come with a price, I find that I get about 18-20 MPG in the city.

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  I love it..... - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Borgbear - March 18 - 10:00 am

  But, I get better gas mileage in my Ford Escape (V6). I keep track and Im getting about 15 mpg. (Maybe its my lead foot.) The speedo is very hard to read in bright daylight. Back to why I bought the PT. The style, the roominess and I just wanted one. No problems at 5000 miles. The spare could be easier to access, also. Love the "Hey, nice car!" when driving it.

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  NA - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Miguel S. - March 18 - 10:00 am

  The vehicle is roomy, engine is quite and smooth ride on highway.

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  Learn to drive before you whine - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By mdthompson - March 15 - 4:43 am

  I use my cruiser to deliver pizza. It never gives me any problems in any type of weather. I have seat covers so staining is no issue for me. If you know how to drive correctly and take care of your vehicle it will reward you. The only time Ive had to take it to a dealership is for body work after people ran into me, which stopped after I got flame decals applied. Ive put more mileage on my cruiser than anyone here and it never fails to perform.