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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  Go Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Mike Bell - July 31 - 10:00 am

  Overall I have enjoyed driving the Pacifica for the last year and feel that it is a solid car and nice on the highway.

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  Mostly love - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Overall Happy - July 31 - 10:00 am

  The German infulence shows. The handling compares to BMW or Mercedes. Glad I bought the FWD rather than AWD. The gas mileage is better and managed our PA snow just fine. I wouldnt recommend it for a young family dealing with car seats or car pooling but it works well with my 11 and 13 year olds who want their own seats and contols.

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  Early Results (2500 Miles) -- Fantastic - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By vsroman@yahoo.com - July 31 - 10:00 am

  So far, an excellent experience. An great choice for those who need mini- van convenience but do not want to drive one. Excellent fit and finish, leather a must have.

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  Great - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By wmb - July 31 - 10:00 am

  This is one of the best vehicles that I have ever owned. The eaze of getting in and out is unsurpassed. The handling and power of the vehicle are great. Great gas milage, too.

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  Marks - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Mark7452561 - July 31 - 10:00 am

  Bought the vehicle in Oct 03. Has some initial problems with the AC control head and the torque converter. Steve Christys service department is awesome. They fixed it within the month (waited on some parts). Havent had a problem since.

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  I love my 300s - 2015 Chrysler 300
  By Tony - July 29 - 12:04 am

  I bought a new 2015 300 s with the 6 cyl in 2017. I saved a lot of money, I still cannot believe what I paid for this great car. It is the best car that I have owned by far and I have owned a lot of cars. So far, I love all the features and even though, it is a heavy car, it handles, accelerates and brakes extremely well. For a car this heavy, it handles like a lighter car. It is a very smooth and the drive is great. I see a lot of people looking at it. This car has an attitude like no other car out there. I got 33.2 mpg on a 10 hour trip averaging 75 mph. If this car does not start having reliability problems, I plan to keep it for a long time.

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  Not Happy with 2nd new Car - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By not at all satisfied - July 28 - 10:00 am

  On 01/02 I purchased a brand new Sebring convertible. Has probelms with the heat, not to mention other thins, from the moment I drove it off of the lot. I then arbitrated it under the lemon law and won. I then got aanother convertible built just for me in the factory. I had less than 5,000 miles on and I was driving on the highway when I blew a head gasket. They had to replace the engine. Now I am stuck with a car I dont even want to get in to every day.

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  Great car but one nagging flaw - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By mobiledj - July 28 - 12:57 am

  Its like a clown car: With back seats out I haul three 15-inch speakers sitting upright, DJ box, 2 big tubs of wires/cables, 8 flood lamps, 2 speaker stands, 3 mic stands, 40-in folding table, rolled carpet, case of cordless mics, folding hand truck, video monitor and stand, laptop, hard drive, props and subwoofer (front seat). Never stranded in 154,000 mi. Honest 23 mpg mixed, 28-30 highway. Easy on tires, brakes. Adequate power with 5M. But on 3rd $1,200 engine fan assembly! Fans last maybe 3 years and then A/C overheats until new fan installed. Great ride, decent handling. Quiet. Like all twin-cam Chryslers, it uses oil. Im 62" and fit comfortably. Aiming for 200,000 mi as on my Neon.

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  Loads of fun - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By mrssgtjones - July 27 - 8:50 am

  I love this car! I wanted something a little bigger than a compact sedan, but didnt want the fuel consumption of an SUV or the dreaded station wagon. This car is cute, affordable, reliable and has the perfect amount of space for a family of three on a road trip. The only things I would change are the seats. They could use widening. Im not overweight, but my behind hangs over a little, and the turning radius is a little wide. Other than that, its perfect!

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  Family Friendly - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By julrap - July 25 - 10:00 am

  I have enjoyed driving our new car very much. I test drove several different makes such as Honda Odyssey, Nissan Quest, Toyota Highlander, and felt the quality of ride combined with the luxury and versatility of the interior were superior for the cost.