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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  when youre in it you feel sexy - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By mittie lester - January 11 - 11:16 am

  the driving of this vehicle is amazing, not only that its a looker. people often stare and try to figure out what it is. its just a great looking automobile. it rides great and it gets up there very fast. Im not a very fast driver, but somehow you feel like youre floating. it doesnt hesitate at all. Ive owned a few cars and this one is the most fun Ive had in a long time.

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  You cant ask for more! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By hotrod8 - January 11 - 10:13 am

  This is an incredible automobile. It should someday be a classic or at least a collector favorite. I have had show cars and hot rods my whole life so I have an intimate knowledge of cars. This one does just about everything right. You cant ignore the brutal exterior looks or the sound of the Hemi under acceleration. The handeling is absolutly superb for a vehicle of this size, weight and shape. As you probably know, everything you do to a car to improve either the handling or power or what have you is a trade off. Chrysler has hit all of these nails right on the head. If it handled better the ride would suffer. More power the mileage and smoothness would be gone. Chrysler has hit a HOME RUN

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  Fun ride, bad milage - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By lhkiaer - January 9 - 2:00 am

  This is my second PT, the first one was a Touring, and one thing they have in common is the bad gas milage. The Touring with the standard 2.4 L was too weak, and I traded in after I tested the new Turbo. The Turbo is a very fast car, 0-100 is done in a few seconds. However driving it in city my car has an average about 12 miles a gallon or less, where Chrysler said 19/gallon. BAD!!!!But it is a fun ride, interior is leather, Autostick is cool, ok stereo, nice sun roof, I love my PT!! The suspension is much better than the Touring and diskbrakes, traction controll and ABS brakes makes the ride safer and more relaxed.I think the design IS the PT Cruiser!

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  Limited rwd 6 cyl in Fla - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By jl - January 8 - 8:33 am

  It has been a great purchase so far. The air conditioning clutch has been a problem. Chrysler sent out a notice on it, but not a fix. The car sounds like it has an engine knock. Otherwise its all good. The interior should have some better appointments, not so much plastic, and the carpet coul be a better quality. The car drives very well, no surprises. We are averaging 21.8 in town and 27.6 on the road.

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  Great crossover Vehicle for the money - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Jean Evridge - January 7 - 6:16 pm

  Great service, love the NAV, works so well in any state, interior very roomy and appealing, great for road trips, sound system is awesome, DVD for trips is nice, love the heated seats - all are heated, many features only found in much more expensive cars, rented one last year, made a believer out of me! Gas is not the best, but okay, what do you expect in a large vehicle??? Love mine!

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  Continental - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By William L Harris - January 5 - 4:46 am

  I have experienced tire problems after the first four thousand miles. The P215/65R17 Continental tires develop flat spots causing excessive front end noise and has been a constant problem. I have had the tires rotated three times since owing the car and had the front end checked by the dealers service manager. This is the first Chrysler I have owned and it may be my last if Chrysler Corporation continues installing these type of tires.

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  This is Not My Dads Chrysler - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Car Nut - January 3 - 10:00 am

  This is the best looking and functional crossover at a reasonable price. Only X- Over to offer 3 rows of seats with room to spare. Throw in Nav, DVD, and 5.1 Dolby surround and you got a rolling theater that never gets lost. Having own a CLK and 2000 BMW M5 the Pacificas ride and handling is smooth and tight. Power is adequate. Better looking that a minivan & safer than a SUV. The 7yr/70,000 and Full Maintenance (w/ rental) addresses any 1st production year problems.

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  Big Chrysler Fan - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Mac Daddy - January 3 - 10:00 am

  I owned a 1996 Sebring con. and i loved it i gave it to my son and purcased a new Sebring 4 door and it been great so far.Why by a BMW when you could get this for $1000s less and it has all of the stuff as a Bmw.

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  Recommend to buy - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Bob - January 2 - 6:43 am

  Looks are great have a lot of people ask me about the car. Visibility is a small problem.

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  Glad I bought one - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Owner - January 1 - 3:30 am

  This vehicle is a quantum leap from older Chrysler designs. The interior is both stylish and functional. You can see and appreciate the European design influence on a formal evening out, and the interior room and practicality when driving your kids back to college. Its a bit sluggish in lower gears (leaving a stop light), but passing acceleration from 50 mph to 80 mph is excellent. Road handling and stability are outstanding. I am very satisfied.