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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  Happy with purchase - 2013 Chrysler 200
  By ac110 - April 1 - 3:22 pm

  Have only had the car about a month, but so far I am very happy. The interior has a luxurious feel and the outside is sleek as well. My fiance likes the hp and I do as well. Gas mileage could be a little better.

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  A Mans Car - 2014 Chrysler 300
  By elmatatan - March 14 - 12:54 pm

  BOLD styled, no one will ever confuse your 300 with the Avalon and Genesis, Azera, Buick. Many dealers will give you a great deals on the Base Model if you time your purchase right. The BASE model is well equipped you get a lot for the money and you feel like MILLION BUCKS. The BASE trim is a true luxury car.

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  Outstanding vehicle - 2007 Chrysler Aspen
  By tuna66 - March 8 - 5:16 pm

  I purchased a new 5.7 4x4 Aspen new in August 2008. To date, this has been the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned. 125,000 trouble free miles. I have replaced one set of front and rear brakes, battery and two sets of tires, and that is all. The suv rides like it did at 25,000 miles. I would buy another in a second. I live in Upstate NY and the bottom of all 4 doors are rotting. This rig is thirsty. Other than the rusting doors, this is one well built SUV.

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  140000 Miles and going strong... - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By lcosta2 - March 6 - 6:28 pm

  I have owned 19 cars this is one of the best reliable suv ever no major problems just replace front shocks etc...and yes 140k on it...

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  Great driving experience! - 2008 Chrysler Pacifica
  By twistedtoes - February 23 - 3:43 pm

  I, for the life of me cant understand why Chrysler stopped building such a great driving experience of the Pacifica. Im totally amazed at how well this piece of equipment handles itself on the highway as well as in town. Its not sluggish when you want to pass another car and the fact that its interfaced with Mercedes - Benz technology only adds to the driving experience. I just paid mine off, so the ride just got better!

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  WOW!! Pound for Pound, Dollar For Dollar The Best Car on the Road - I mean it!! - 2014 Chrysler 300
  By daytraderjeff - February 15 - 8:55 pm

  Just picked up my new 300S today. Built to order, mine is Jazz Blue with the brand new for Q1 2014 changes - Hyper Black 20" Rims, Blacked out Trim and Ambassador Blue Leather Interior. I got every option - NAV, Moonroof, Safety Tec, Luxury pkg. I would love a Hemi, but went with the 3.6 V6 and RWD 8spd - really looking forward to 31+ MPG...) I have only put 25 miles on it so far, but... WOW!!! This car is incredible!! Looks amazing, drives smoother that any car I have ever been in and has every feature imaginable. The control screen is awesome. The heated seats and steering wheel are programmed to come on automatically, and they come on fast and are warm and comfortable

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  Still Simply Amazing! - 2011 Chrysler 300
  By robert7200 - February 12 - 12:48 am

  Its now been two years since we purchased our 2011 Chrysler 300C and it is still simply amazing. With a little over 21,700 miles on the odometer, we are still very happy with our 300C. This car continues to ride smooth and quite and has power to spare. We also continue to receive compliments on the look of this beautiful car. One could easily spend $30K more for one of the so-called higher class vehicles, but we really do not see the benefit. If you are looking for a full size, 4-door sedan, we highly recommend the Chrysler 300C.

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  I love my Sebring. - 2010 Chrysler Sebring
  By augrpeters3 - February 4 - 10:50 pm

  My Sebring is a Limited with a 3.5 v6. I love driving this car everyday. It has been a reliable, fantastic car to own. I drive about 4500 miles a month and this car has held up fantastically, I have had zero problems with it. All my Chrysler products have been fantastic with this one being the very best. The 3.5 is a blast to "step on" and very frugal when you drive economically. I get a very reasonable 26.7 miles to the gallon and I have a very heavy foot. The only complaint I have is that it doesnt handle the ice very well where I live. It cruises at 90 MPH so effortlessly and eats the miles up in no time. Its extremely comfortable on long drives, and the heated seats are top notch!

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  Buy it!! - 2014 Chrysler 300
  By oldcarguy - February 4 - 12:57 am

  I spent a couple months reading reviews and shopping around. I needed a sedan with room for me ( Im 63") and my two young kids. I test drove the V6 Honda Accord, Nissan Maxima, 2014 Chevy Impala, and a couple Buicks. I didnt even consider the 300 until it came up in a couple other car reviews - I thought they were much more expensive. I bought a 2014 300C with the Hemi V-8 and the SafetyTec package and cannot convey how much I love this car! It reminds me of several old American luxury muscle cars Ive owned, crossed with the most modern technology, comfort, and quality. Its as if my 1971 455 Grand Prix SJ had a baby with the Starship Enterprise. (In a good way!) Buy one!

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  14 years and still going strong - 2000 Chrysler 300M
  By duster7 - January 22 - 1:24 am

  I bought my 2000 300M brand new (ordered from the factory) and have had nothing but a great experience with it. The car was not as fast as my twin-turbo Stealth but very few cars could match that performance. But it has room. I am tall and even with the drivers seat in my driving position, I can sit comfortably in the back seat without my legs touching the drivers seat. The ride is very comfortable without being out-of-touch. The reliability has been nothing short of amazing. Other than normal wear parts (tires, break pads, bushings, wiper blades, air filters, etc) the car has not needed any significant work. Nearly 200,000 miles!