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:

• 

  Pleasantly Surprised - 2017 Chrysler 200
  By Lori E. - July 20 - 10:45 pm

  I recently bought a 2017 Chrysler 200 after my Jeep Wrangler took a dive after only 92K miles. To be honest I was going to buy the Mazda6, but after driving that I was like "no way"(it was too outdated and small). The salesman at the dealership showed me the Chrysler, and after a 3 minute argument about my not wanting one I finally said I would test drive it just to get him off my back. However, after sitting in for a minute or two and realizing how comfortable it was, and how I didnt feel cramped in it like I did the Mazda, and how great it handled on the highway, I was hooked. I have a 14 year old who had his heart set on getting the Jeep when he was old enough to drive, but came in after hubby took him for a ride in the 200 and said "I like it WAY better than the Jeep!", so I imagine that he is going to steal this car from me when he turns 16. Im really very happy with this ride. Its comfy, handles awesome on the road, and has just enough bells and whistles to satisfy my inner diva without breaking the bank.

• 

  Great Looks - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Gary Lee - July 19 - 10:00 am

  This car is fun to drive, it gets a lot of attension for its great design and looks.The car handles great and has good traction. I have purchased several new Cadillacs and the Chrysler 300 out performs them all.

• 

  300 c - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By martinez/carl - July 19 - 10:00 am

  I bought the 300c for my dad because his lincoln towncar was getting old.The reason I bought the Chrysler is because: 1)the power of the hemi engine 2)the style of the exterior body design 3)the competitive price.

• 

  best american car - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By donn - July 19 - 10:00 am

  this has been the best vehicle i ever owned, i compared it with 540 and mercedes s class and it hadles just as good if not better, this is an amazing vehicle and if you are considering midsize sedan give it a try, there is no competition.

• 

  Assembly defect. Please stay away. - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Stefano Fiorini - July 18 - 9:02 am

  We bought the top of the line showroom car, yes, the Limited trim with all the bells and whistles. I have never bought a car from the Chrysler group and never bought an American car because of all I have heard throughout the years. Buy my wife and kids wanted a spacious car and we rented a Kia Sedona and a Toyota Sienna and enjoyed the space. So we traded in out perfect (German built) Mercedes GLA 250 4Matic for this Chrysler Pacifica Limited. AS we drove off the dealer lot we start hearing a noise like something was loose on the roof. We had to stop on the way home and found nothing visibly loose outside. It sounded something was just loose on the top. We quickly found out it was the roof glass that was not assembled tight. Went back to the dealer. They took it in and filled the top with dirty grease just to tell me that the glass was not assembled correctly and I had to take the car in next week so they could work on it. All this is just plain unacceptable and unbelievable to me. As I take full responsibility for actually going to a Chrysler dealer and buy this car, I recommend you to keep your money. If you really have to buy a minivan, go for a Toyota or a Honda.

• 

  a great car - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By ***** - July 17 - 2:00 am

  this is the best car i have ever owned!!! thanks chrysler

• 

  This is the one - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Ron - July 15 - 10:20 pm

  Never have I had so much fun driving a car! Everytime I drive it someone comments, whether its a "thumbs-up" or something else. One of my best purchases!!!!

• 

  Fabulous Ride - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Gene Foote - July 15 - 1:00 pm

  I have had my new Cruiser for three weeks and it has given me a new lease on owing a car. It is an incredibly Hot Looking and performing vehicle.

• 

  Still my fun sedan in my memories.. - 2006 Chrysler Sebring
  By Dave Kerr - July 14 - 4:52 am

  The only weak point we found was a plastic bleeder valve in the cooling system- Ours broke at 96000 miles and it was a $500 fix ( 70 for the valve but 430 in time) Otherwise we had some warranty work early in its life. Generally I bought the car on the spur of the moment trading in a Gr Chkee just to get a little better mpg The car always got compliments- had two tone leather, wood trim, and plenty of reserve power; It handled like my Talon TSI on the road. While it had all the electronic toys you could get- it quickly began to lag in electronics when I traded it in on a 2013. Now the 2013 lacks features like blind spot warning and variable cruise control and auto stop. I never regretted the Sebring for a daily driver. We have had over 30 cars-Olds, Gr Chkees; Eagles; Talons;Commander;Vans; 3 Wranglers and the family Cadillacs. So we have a good base of comparisons

• 

  Happy New Owner! - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Andrea - July 12 - 5:03 am

  Just purchased the Pacifica after comparing to Highlander, Pilot and Volvo XC90. Love it! You definitely get more for your money with the Pacifica. A used XC90 came in a close second but after reading the reviews on Edmunds decided against it. We drove a Tahoe for many years and are now happy to find a "car" that fits our needs with snow, kids and sports.