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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  5 spd manual PT cruiser - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By JB - March 14 - 6:53 pm

  I have had the car for 3 years and and have driven nearly 48,000 miles. The fuel economy is not very good and they car feels like a toy on the highway. The manual transmission is ok but the car has very limited power.

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  Better than a Van - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By PacificaFan - March 13 - 2:33 pm

  Traded a minivan for Pacifica, wife and I are carnuts with Sebring conv. and Corvette as second/third cars. Liked the exterior styling and really like interior and the ability to lower all rear seats rather than lifting out seats for hauling. First test drive sold us for the extremely quiet ride and low engine noise. Just felt like we were driving a luxury car rather than van/suv. Only complaint is rear vision when backing up with high window and the backup lights dont do much when backing up at night.

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  Practical and fun! - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By RMorgan - March 13 - 11:12 am

  Not the quickest of its generation or class, but with a 5-speed manual, it has good acceleration and better gas mileage than with automatic trans. Great use of interior space - tons of cargo options with folding and removable back seats. Very stable at highway speeds and good handling on winding roads as well. With four wheel disk brakes, this car stops on a dime!

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  The Best we have ever experienced - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By The Brazzles - March 12 - 2:20 pm

  We have had our Pacifica since Mothers Day 2004 and it has been exceptional in performance and comfort, we will buy another at some point....

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  Fun PT Cruiser Convertible - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Wm Mangano - March 12 - 1:33 pm

  No doubt about it, this car not only performs well it looks good doing it. I have owned many new cars, and by far this is the most fun to drive.

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  GREAT FOR THE MONEY - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By phenix76822 - March 12 - 2:00 am

  GREAT SPORTY CAR..A POOR MANS EXOTIC

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  All Around Luxury and Performance - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By zippittydodah - March 12 - 2:00 am

  Very pleased by the luxury, performance and value of this car. Such a sharp looking car, with all the amenities and great performance, plus six truly comfortable bucket seats! So much more for the same price as European SUVs!! Its really the best kept secret around. Chrysler should advertise it more, because it has so much to offer for the price, including a top notch safety and driving experience. This is an amazing contender!

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  2004 Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By John Noullet - March 12 - 2:00 am

  The only gripe I have so far is the 4 speed transmission. It should have been a 5 speed. Other than that, Im really happy with the vehicle.

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  Best Chrysler Built to-date - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Plademan - March 12 - 2:00 am

  After driving the Pacifica for the first 1,000 miles, Ive got to say that this is the best vehicle that Chrysler has produced to-date.

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  Best Car of its Class - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By frecksdodan428 - March 12 - 2:00 am

  This is definately the best car of its class, with amazing comfort and an outstanding engine. I would recommend this car over, lets say, the Lexus RX330. Remember, price isnt the main factor.