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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  Great van.... so far - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By seth - January 24 - 10:22 pm

  The 2017 Pacifica overall has been great, I have had it for only 3 weeks but so far so good except the combined gas mileage on it stays between 18-20 mpg which sucks and also there is no CD player!? WTF?!?!

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  Great look Bad every thing else - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By greg - January 24 - 5:33 pm

  The 2005 Chrysler 300 has got to be the worst car I have ever bought. Just let me start form the top. It takes for ever in a day to cool off inside, it has stalled on me about five different times, the drivers side back window goes up and down when it fells like it, it vibrates excessively when it comes to a stop most of the time the radio gets the poorest reception of any car I have owned manufactured in this decade. I plane on getting rid of the car ASAP. I pay to much money for such a crappie car I should have gone with the Cadillac CTS. All this car has is looks and nothing else I would recommend a Bike at Wal-Mart before I would recommend A Chrysler.

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  Great looking vehicle but...... - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Al G. - January 24 - 1:40 pm

  We purchased this vehicle in May 2004 and have had nothing but problems since. Vehicle constantly pulls to the right, molding falling off, moon roof shades opens on its own, rear windows occasionally dont open, ie. electrical problems. Great looking and priced vehicle but check consumer web sites to find many owners with simular problems. Based on Chrysler Corp. not willing to help with many of these problems, we are trading in for a different vehicle. Never a Chrysler again.

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  Disappointing - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By RonFromOregon - January 21 - 10:00 am

  The Pacifica did not live up to my expectations. It handles like soggy sponge, rattles from the back, and has very little headroom. The 3rd row seats are a joke. The DVD entertainment is broken. This is hard to explain, but the AWD tracks the road like a big truck -- it feels heavy and slow. Exterior styling is very good, but not enough to justify the $7000 over MSRP the dealership was asking. Until Chrisler figures out how to give this wheezing car a triple-bypass, youre much better off in one of the new 2004 Toyota Siennas or a Lexus RX- 330.

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  The future - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Bronson - January 21 - 2:00 am

  This car is the future of US automobiles. Powerful, safe and more politically correct than a big old SUV. It looks prett smart too. It follows a prototype Mercedes Benz developed a few years ago that suggested that there was a gap in the market for demand for a cross between an SUV and a station wagon. Faster, safer and better looking etc. It will allow mini-van drivers to not look like there driving a bus. More power to their elbow. It looks set to be a big hit for DCX.

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  M. Thompsons 300 - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By M. Thompson - January 19 - 8:46 pm

  This is easy to handle automobile and very good gas mileage. It has room for my family of four and we just love the ride. This car turns head with its stylish look and the wheels are so nice.

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  What a Beauty-Get Ready for OOs & AHs - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Barbara Engel - January 19 - 5:26 pm

  This vehicle has been total fun so far. Ride is big, solid feeling and safe. The comparisons with the M/B SLK have not been lost on this owner, especially the fact that they are made on similar platforms in the same German factory. * Not overly important to us

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  love my 300c - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By grlove13 - January 18 - 1:13 pm

  love to drive.poor mileage.factory said it would get 24 mpg on highway, Im 65 and retired and not A fast driver but I would love to find out how they get over 20 mpg on this car.

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  The SRT-T/Dynamito! - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By paul herriott - January 17 - 11:36 pm

  This Marque is fantastic...abso...fantastic, unbelievable...40% superior to my 2005 300C-Hemi...in all respects...every feature has been improved...incredibly...The best value on the road today...paul herriott

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  Average Vehicle - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By nightfrog65 - January 17 - 7:12 pm

  Wife owns one of these, so I get a chance to drive occasionally. Not overly impressed with this car, but dont hate it. Acceleration is average, but the engine seems under-powered for the weight of the vehicle. The turbo version is better. Wifes car is auto-perhaps the 5 speed is better suited for the engine. Working on vehicle is difficult for many tasks given that engine is tightly wedged in compartment-changing timing belt and water pump is a real nightmare-I let the dealer do that job :) Styling is ok-wife likes it better than I do. That being said, it is pretty roomy on the inside-can easily fit 5 adults and cargo. Fuel economy suffers due to weight of vehicle.