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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  BEST CAR I EVER OWNED - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By ARTHUR KOENIG - July 25 - 10:00 am

  THIS REVEIW IS ON A 2004 PACIFICA.IT IS THE COMFORT & SPACE IS MORE THEN I EXPECTED IEXPECTED.WE TOOK A TRIP FROM FLORIDA TO UPSTATE NEW YORK IN JUNE OF THIS YEAR AND PUT 4000 MILE ON IT. WE AVERAGED 26 MPG AND COULD NOT BELEIVE IT.DROVE MORE THEN 10 HOURS AND NEVER ONCE FELT UNCOMFORTABLE. I AM 71 YRS YOUNG AND HAVE OWNED A LOT OF CARS AND TRUCKS. THIS BY FAR HAS BEEN THE GREATEST EXPERENCE FOR ME. . IF I EVER HAVE TO BUY ANOTHER I WOULD NOT CHOOSE ANY OTHER.LETS JUST SAY THIS IS THE BEST

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  The old is the best of the new - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By KLS3 - July 25 - 10:00 am

  The ultra-smooth ride and appealing design make this car the most fun I have had in years. The care is very new and therefore do not have a lot of experiences to describe at this point.

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  Solid & Powerful: A great value too! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By jwaters - July 25 - 10:00 am

  I love this car. Its very solidly built w/ no rattles or creaks. The sound system is quite good and the acceleration/handling is very impressive for a big sedan. The only really negative I can think of is the high beltline which impairs visibility, but is worth it in my opinion as it gives the car a "chopped" look.

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  Problem vehicle - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Bull is Bad - July 25 - 10:00 am

  There are many problems with the braking system. The transmission also has shifting problems. Brakes goe to the floor alot. Many times this vehicle does not want to start. This car has computer problems! Also the body makes noises, it moves from the frame!

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  nice car - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Binky77787 - July 25 - 10:00 am

  It is just an all around great family car

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  the best car! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By realtormario - July 25 - 10:00 am

  This car gets a lot of looks! It drives very nice and the equipment is very reliable. By far the best vehicle for the $$.

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  Its Great - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Macs - July 25 - 10:00 am

  This is a great car, dont hesitate to buy one.

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  I love my chrysler 300 - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Joseph M. Ramirez - July 24 - 3:50 pm

  This car is fantastic,fun to drive & dependable. It has been back to the shop for 2 minor "repairs". 1st to fix a broken visor hook & 2nd to lube & adjust a passenger door. I incurred no charges for these repairs & dealer service was excellent.

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  Great car!! love to drive it! - 2015 Chrysler 200
  By Christopher B - July 23 - 1:38 am

  I have a 2015 200 Limited 4 cylinder. It has been awesome since day 1, Dealer serviced every 5k miles, $75 to change the oil on this car. Purchased the lifetime oil change package and an extended 7y/100k warranty. Its very good, We love driving it got the upgraded 8.4 inch screen. We love the Technology this car has and great gas mileage took a trip to Idaho from Oregon and got 38 mpg. The 9 speed transmission can be a little slow and clunky sometimes but my 6 speed fusion was very similar. I swapped out the standard noisy poor riding Ecopia tires for better Les Schwab premium tires at around 12 thousand miles, tinted the windows, The ride is very smooth and quiet, handles better. I think this car was a Good value for the money and the features are outstanding. Even though Chrysler is stopping production of this car soon. I will be looking at probably changing vehicles in the future; but overall very happy with this vehicle so far, looks stunning. only have had to go to the dealer for the uconnect system update other than regular maintenance. very on top of that

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  GT Turbo - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By FLALMONDGT - July 21 - 2:00 am

  I have a 2003 GT Turbo auto and I do not feel there is a turbo lag, the car goes great in fact I have clocked 0=60 in 6.8 sec. I have got 27.8 mpg on a trip and only have 4900 miles on it. I did have the dealer install the rear sway that was missing and that helped the cornering out.