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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  I love it - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By debbi - February 21 - 4:06 pm

  I have owned Vettes in the past but this is more fun and less expensive. I wouldnt trade it for anything. The luggage that they send you for buying one is just another advantage. It is absolutely the best purchase I have ever made.

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  love this car - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By lorraine c - February 21 - 9:53 am

  this is the best looking car i have seen in a long time.who needs a hemi! this 3.5 is very quick.the signature offers only a limited number of options, i would have liked a few more.

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  Best car I have ever had - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By Steve - February 20 - 3:31 am

  Bought new and now just short of 70,000 mostly "country" miles. NO problems so far. I change the oil religiously,

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  Its my 2nd PT, but first convertible! - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By E.L. - February 19 - 1:16 am

  I had a 2003 Limited Edition Wagon (with sunroof) for only 8 months, until I drove my sisters Z3 Convertible BMW...and fell in love with the open wind! I knew I couldnt afford a BMW, so looked into a PT Vert. I stumbled across a used 2005 Electric Blue model with turbo and fell in love! Its a lot of fun to drive, and oh, the looks you get on the road! Ive had so many compliments, and Id hate to tell you how little money I got it for! I live near the beach, and this year has been the best "cruizin" summer Ive ever had! The turbo has enough pep for around town, and gas mileage is at 25 city/32 hwy...much better than my wagon ever did! And, my husband finally likes to drive it!

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  Experience a 300C - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Thom W. - February 18 - 9:13 am

  Power is the name of the game for a 300C, when you need to move there is no hesitation. The dash is a little to plain, but the instrument panel is easy to read. Love the options,and the GPS is easy to use.

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  Great car - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Suzanne - February 16 - 10:33 pm

  I really like my car but last week it snowed and its not that great of a car to drive in the snow But i love driving it in the summer i got it in april 04 and everbody kept looking at it and saying nice car

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  Sportscar handling ? - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By adam leicht - February 16 - 2:00 am

  Love the car even though it has a couple of weak spots. Draws a lot of attention everywhere, especially when the rear spoiler comes up. Suspension / wheel combination makes the car a bit hard on bad roads but does a remarkable job in the handling department -- at least up to 110 mi/hr. Over 110 the car gets a little light and somewhat hard to keep pointed. Traction on wet roads is remarkable considering the weight / power ratio.

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  Amazing - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By richard1s - February 16 - 2:00 am

  I never dreamed that I would look forward to my moring drive into work until I purchased the Crossfire. There is nothing like it on the road. This car looks like its doing 80 just sitting in the garage. Attracts a lot of attention; I hope that the Crossfire will hold its value but a car like this doesnt come along often.

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  fuel economy poor! - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By fac9160 - February 15 - 3:30 pm

  Like the way it looks but looks get you so far. With an average of 20 mpg Im thinking walking is better!

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  So far everything is working fine - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Stan Czapka - February 14 - 6:29 am

  Vehicle only has 1000 miles and no problems. A good experience at the dealership just too long.