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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  No Soft touches here - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By smkw - February 14 - 5:20 am

  How sad it is that this car is flat and boring inside with supportive seating that feel hard and cinder box comfortable.The leather lacks that butter soft feel of a luxury sedan,but wait the right side of the front seat doesnt work the same way as the driver seat..... Whats up with that??? Try adjusting this seat, a surprise that clearly show this is a One persons show-off car, not a family car for the WHOLE FAMILY. Try riding in the back seat, SAD, SAD, SAD,....again two persons and cat?? The lack of space caused by center floor HUMP is showing how Backward this company is moving. The visor is too small, the center CD Tape console is too hard to use, and glove compartment area is very small.

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  DVD troubles - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By James Autry - February 9 - 6:57 am

  Almost totally love my new Pacifica. Only problem is the DVD/CD system. Loading and playing a new disc takes at least 60 Seconds and can take more than two minutes if it is a well used disc. There is no hour glass or spinner to indicate it is working but there are pop ups that you end up futiley pressing on the touch screen. When it finally starts playing, on screen prompts like "fast play" or "extras" do not respond so you are forced to wait until they time out and watch the previews every time you play the disc.

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  I love this car - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Anthony M. - February 9 - 2:00 am

  They never made a car so fun and stylish. This car gets all the ladies.

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  WOW!!! - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By Rob Huck - February 8 - 10:00 am

  Wow! What a car. I cant believe I got such a great car for barely more than $19K (after rebate). If youre thinking about a Camry or Accord, think again. They cost about $5K more and I just dont see much difference, other than the Sebring is much better looking. The suspension is unbelievable. The whole cars attitude is "Bump? What bump?". The engine has tons of get up and go. Get this car!! NOW!!

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  Why Do We Have Two Of These? - 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Glen Miller - February 7 - 9:20 pm

  W.P. Chrysler Special Edition. Interior room less than 2002 model. Water pump and transmission solenoid block (machined casting) both replaced under warranty by dealership at No Charge. No gas mileage. No performance from 4 cylinder engine. My extended-cab pickup truck turns a tighter radius than these cars. The end cannot come too soon for these cars.

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  Pac Review - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By jdub07 - February 6 - 12:20 pm

  Car seems to be okay thus far in our ownership. We have every single option that came with the 04 pac awd. Even the tow package. Weve put this through the wringer so far on trips and its held up pretty well. I am meticulous though with oil changes (every 2K miles), detailing the car whenever possible, constant fluid checks and undercarage checks. Already bought a new set of tires too. Basically Im treating it like our Audi that requires vigilant maintenance in order to keep it tip top. I think the Pac will serve us well if this is continued. Pacs are such a new concept with the interior and electrical one needs to be persistant in keeping everyting up to par.

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  Chrysler Man No More - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By rustydd - February 5 - 9:50 pm

  Sold Chryslers for 12 years...now at Honda for 1 1/2 years. Had Jeep, Dodge and now the worst PT Convertible. Oil light comes on every other time I start ignition...cannot be fixed after four attempts by two seperate service departments. Smart Glass is not too smart when its cold and we have any type of moisture. Glass freezes and will not go up and down until the car gets warm enough to loosen the windows and worst of all is fuel mileage. Sticker says 19 city/25 highway...hah!!! I baby the gas pedal or drive like a madman I get 18 in the summer and 17 in the winter. Sorry Chrysler, I have had it with your poor quality, poor fuel mileage and terrible resale value. Go Honda Go

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  First Chrysler - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By jtroscinski - February 4 - 10:00 am

  The vehicle is very fun to drive. It makes my other vehicle seem like a slug. It would have been nice to have a few more uplevel features, though. I like the Onyx Green paint.

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  Rating My Sebring - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By eegolf - February 4 - 10:00 am

  Bought after having a PT cruiser I forgot what comfort was until I bought the Sebring

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  Love My PT Convertible - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By NewPTOwer - February 4 - 10:00 am

  I have had no problem with my PT Convertible for the week that Ive had it. The Boot goes on easily, the Smart Glass windows are fantastic. The Factory Stereo is very good. The Sport Bar definitely cuts down the wind noise. The center console is nice. Easy access to back seat. The trunk access is a bit inconvenient, but the styling, the ride, the engine, and the rest of the features make up for the trunk.