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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  Wow!!! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By toment - January 17 - 10:00 am

  Its better than they say it is-power, beauty, quiet, comfort and gadgets galore try it

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  Guidance System - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By HankNJ1954 - January 17 - 8:06 am

  Love the car, but did not get it with the map built into the dash, so they installed another model. It opens up in front of the heat/air controls so that the sensor doesnt see the people, it sees the hot back of the display and turns off the heat. Would not do that again, but otherwise love it - took it on a 2700 mile spin last week - fun car. Hank

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  Its a kick to drive ! - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By McNelly - January 14 - 11:36 pm

  While Ive only had this Cruiser a month or so - I felt compelled to tell you all what a kick it is to drive, for an economy car. This is one of the few vehicles Ive ever purchased strictly on a budget, and with a purpose in mind.. Cheap, Dependable, and good on gas. I needed all 3 as a second car with little time to dicker about it.. and this car excels in all 3 areas - and I cant beleive what a fantastic buy this was for under 14K! If youre looking for good reliable "basic transportation" and dont want to break the bank.. check this out. Its one of Americas best kept secrets!

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  Chrysler 300C, A Joy to Drive - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By rvrack - January 14 - 12:46 pm

  Right from the day I bought it, the Hemi sedan has been comfortable, powerful, attractive and dependable. It is now eighteen months old , and it still turns heads and invites compliments. It is a joy to drive.

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  Dream Cruiser is a Dream! - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Barb Jellison - January 13 - 11:06 pm

  Ive had my turbo Dream Cruiser for 2 years. It has never been in for service, except oil changes. Everything has worked perfectly. I am amazed at how solid and quiet the double layer top is when up. With the top down the seats are set deep enough to be safe for my dogs to ride along. We drop the top on warm winter days and turn on the heated seats. It can go up or down at a stop light with a turn of the locking latch and one button push, and the windows go down with it! The stereo with a 6-CD changer is great, and the auto stick is a fun feature. I get more compliments on this car than any I have had before, especially the Lava Red color with matching top. The "Smart glass" is amazing too.

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  Great car - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Martin Kidder - January 12 - 4:43 pm

  Fun to drive with plenty of zip!

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  Great Suv with a smooth ride - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By lauraswen - January 12 - 10:00 am

  I love my car/suv/wagon???? The only thing I wish I would have added was a sunroof and 7disc cd changer...oh well I opted for side airbags and movable pedals. This will make a great car to pass down to my daughter in 2 years for her first car.(thank god for the side air bags instead of the 7 disc cd)

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  ideal family vehicle - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By muhammad mustaqeem - January 12 - 10:00 am

  this is first time i saw a complete family vehicle and good for all seasons thanks Chrysler

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  Awesome Vehicle - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Andrew J. Clark - January 12 - 10:00 am

  If Chrysler would give me $10 for every conversation Ive had with gawkers, I could actually purchase another 300C. Great highway car. The solid, rattle- free construction makes it a real pleasure to drive. Passengers have had rave reviews for comfort and legroom and my wife, with 2 artificial knees, claims she has never been in a car that is more comfortable and I have owned LHSs, Town Cars, and Grand Marquis.

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  happy with the switch - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By waynem51 - January 12 - 10:00 am

  Love the car! Happy with just about everything except fuel economy and climate control. Not a day goes by without a thumbs up from people I drive by. Would be a good idea for promoting it, not that it cant do it on its own. We switshed from a 300E Mercedes and feel we got a great value.