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 Crossover - 2008 Chrysler Pacifica
  By 2nd Pacifica - January 8 - 1:48 pm

  I bought a 2004 Pacifica AWD when they came out. Great crossover! My family and I have driven all over the U.S. no problems. Lots of cargo space. Just traded in on a 2008 because of all that is on it unlike Ford/GM. A lot for the money. Sorry that Chrysler is not going to continue building them.

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  Sunset Boulevard Street Edition Rocks! - 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Karen - January 8 - 1:53 am

  This is my second PT. My first met with an untimely end and other than a few colorful bruises and sore spots I survived. My 2002 Limited didnt. Im so very impressed with these vehicles I bought another to replace my still missed PT. But it was meant to be. Because the PT I just happened to find tucked away in this private dealership is ONE of the 500 that were made. Yep, I got one. I have a Sunset Boulevard Street Edition PT Cruiser. This car is gorgeous! And its mine, mine, mine!!

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  Love this car - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Karen - January 7 - 1:13 pm

  I would buy this car again! The ride is smooth as can be and the power is wonderful. Its fun to drive and the looks - well, every knows what they look like and it still turns heads. The room inside is unbelievable. My Great Dane even fits comfortably! My husband at 62" is comfortable in the drivers seat, passengers seat, and he even has plenty of leg room in the back. The ONLY down side is the windshield seems a little narrow and it took a little getting used to when pulling up to stop lights. It is necessary to stop back a little further than normal in order to be able to see the light, otherwise you do have to duck down to see through the windshield. I love this car.

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  2003 Chrysler 300M - 2003 Chrysler 300M
  By annette - January 7 - 1:03 pm

  I bought it used in 2006 but it was in excellent shape only 33K looked like brand new. Besides one poor sensor, which caused my car to turn off while I was driving, I have had no problems. I bought a full warranty on it so I guess it will cover the sensor change. It combines luxury and sports style with a lot of space inside. Rides smoothly and has a lot of extras. Great handling. I love this car! I hope they continue with the production.

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  Great Car changed my life! - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By pt dude - January 5 - 10:00 am

  I love this car! Retro out of the box look plus very easy to customise to make the PT you OWN! You can design your car the way you want it by adding many aftermarket parts to the car. Plus there are many PT Cruiser car clubs all over the country. I joined one and it changed my life. New friends with common interests!

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  J Js - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By jujuh69 - January 5 - 10:00 am

  Just love it

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  American Style and Quality Return - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Hermes1 - January 5 - 10:00 am

  As a loyal Mercedes owner, I had been fighting the urge to be interested in the Chrysler 300 ever since I first saw the concept car. Seeing the 300 on the road this year, I found myself to be continually intrigued by it. However, once I sat behind the wheel and drove the car this summer, I was absolutely smitten!! This car has lit a passion for American cars unlike ever before. The sense of quality, style and value the 300 carries is incomparable to any recent car since the early 60s! In fact, if you look closely, youll see styling cues reminiscent of the infamous 1961 Lincoln Continental, whose "slab sides" revolutionized the car industry.

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  luxury and power - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Alexandra Wolf - January 5 - 10:00 am

  everyones comment feels like im driving a $250,000 car. value, power, style its all in the 300c. so comfortable it feels as though the car is chaufering me. and when i am on the freeway and those darn trucks drive in convoy i only have to hit the gas and she serenely overtakes them all without even a whisper. the car and i have found each other, two sophisticated ladies who like to be admired. nothing on the road today comes near this car its a keeper.

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  Love My SUV/CAR - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Jill - January 4 - 10:50 am

  The pacifica is NOT a car and is NOT an suv.....and definitely is NOT A MINI VAN....if anything at all it leans more towards a luxury suv. I LOVE IT!!!

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  SRT8 is great! - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Rick - January 4 - 6:30 am

  My daughter named my car "Flash" after riding in it one time. The car is fast with supurb handling. I havent owned a car that gives me pleasure to drive since my 71 Mach I. Its a keeper! (Well until I can get my hands on a 08 Challenger)