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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  Fun, Economical and Reliable - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Sherry Griffin - October 29 - 4:30 am

  Love this car! Really enjoying the sporty look and feel, standard transmission and one-touch control for the convertible top. Have had my car for a little more than 2 years and it is very reliable. The fact that it has a comfortable back seat was a big selling feature, too. It easily accommodates four adults. Gas mileage is 27-29MPG consistently. Would recommend the PT Cruiser Convertible to all ages!

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  Grape Ape - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Grape Ape - October 27 - 3:33 am

  Ive had my PT for 2 years now and love it.Its fun to drive and withh all the PT clubs out there theres always fun to be found some shows and clubs really go all out like here in Ohio at Youngs Jersey Dairy in Yellow Springs Ohio family fun and show all in one. The PT could do a little better on gas but I have pulled 32.5 once or twice. All the stars must have lined up just right, Cargo area is great with more than enough room.

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  Awesome car - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By wanakee - October 26 - 9:06 pm

  I truly enjoy this car. It has great power, tons of leg room and drives wonderfully. The only disadvantage for me is the trunk as in there is none. I love my new car.

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  Fun in the sun. - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Doug S - October 24 - 10:00 am

  Very comfotable to drive even for someone who is 6ft 4in tall. Easy operation of soft top. Looks great with the top down. Interior design is clean and simple. Choose this car over the Mazda RX8.

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  crossfire - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By tmb55 - October 24 - 10:00 am

  love my car, love the color, the sytle and the romance about it... it is one hot little car...

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  Great Vehicle - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By ddramer - October 24 - 10:00 am

  This Pacifica has been one of the best that we have ever owned. It is a very fun car to drive. It offers plenty of comfort options, very good on fuel with today prices. Great car! its been the best we have driven. The Interior design is awsome.

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  my pt cruiser - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By cathycruizer - October 24 - 10:00 am

  I love this car!!! It not only looks cool its fun to drive.....handles great!!! and with gas at over 2.00 a gal..its not costing me an arm & leg to drive! chrysler did great on this one.. so many "extras" to add to it also.....

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  Mamas got a brand new ride! - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By hawg - October 24 - 10:00 am

  Bought for my wife day after Xmas. Dont get much of a chance to drive it, as she fights for the keys. Limited with Pearl Green color continues to get us compliments wherever we go. No long trips yet, but ride & performance good so far. Have a trip to New Orleans in couple of weeks, will know more then. The leather/upholstery seating could use some structural improvement, as I still have not found a truly comfortable setting. If its above 65 degrees & not raining, the tops down...... Wish a sport bar was an option, would make a dynamite appearance finish to this car.

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  great, fun, car - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By foxtrot - October 24 - 10:00 am

  This car is great handeling, very good acceleration. It is fin to drive.

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  Having a Blast - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By USMADAD - October 24 - 10:00 am

  Picked up one of the first GT Turbo Convertibles in April. It has been a joy to drive. It has more power than I will probably ever need but it is nice to be able to get up to traffic flow speed in a heartbeat. It is convenient to put the top up or down as conditions require while sitting at a traffic light. Look forward to driving it every day to and from the office.