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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  Classy and Sporty! - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By cvtgreek - December 24 - 10:00 am

  A very comfortable riding car, easy to put the top up or down. Good legroom in the backseat, nice large trunk.

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  Can you Hemi now?! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Jesus H. Christo - December 24 - 10:00 am

  Finally a touring car from Detroit that can compete with the best from across the pond while making the traditional builders of the All- American "luxobarge" green with envy. Sure, the Mercedes chassis is the biggest part of this particular conglomeration, but DaimChryslers nod to the muscle-car era with its 21st century redo of the Hemi engine puts the icing on the cake. Get yours now before the price goes up. I got mine for only $500 over invoice.

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  Great value! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By The Emperor - December 24 - 10:00 am

  Great car! Terrific engine and transmission. Love the styling. Constantly get asked: a) is it a HEMI, b) can they look inside

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  pacificia rating 8.5 - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Trammell - December 23 - 10:00 pm

  The look really got my attention. The only draw back to me is there is not a lot of front row room for the driver and passenger. I feel chrysler should take out the third row seat,that way the could make more room up front. Other than that I love my pacificia.

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  My Experience - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By G1NA3C - December 23 - 1:48 pm

  Exterior aesthetic appeal is undeniable, however interior budget cuts are evident. Leather is cheap, and not supportive - sadly MOPAR engineers have yet to achieve a benchmark ride akin to Cadillac/Lincoln. However as prior owners of both, neither can compare to the pure acceleration and road manners of 5.7/340hp 300C. Approaching 100k (5W20), w/ no mechanical problems to mention. Still avg range 320City/+400hwy varied elevation/region/driving conditions including snow. Very powerful, compliant, and forgiving platform. Thoroughly do the research and test drives, the Hemi is kicking with class leading fuel economy. On a more juvenile level, it just feels good.

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  tranny went out - 2002 Chrysler 300M
  By lovely - December 23 - 11:06 am

  bought the car used two months ago, previous owner took good care of it, ran and purred smoothly for two months. went to post office, got back in car, heard a squealing noise and lost the umph to go - found out tranny went out all of a sudden, now will have to pay 2200 to fix it, but feel that this beautiful car is worth the money to put into it - going on 180000 miles and sstill looks/drives good except i have to replace tranny

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  Great Bang for Buck - 2006 Chrysler Crossfire
  By george bobella jr. - December 23 - 12:05 am

  This was wifes car became mine. Shes gone. Love being in this machine. A real headturner, gets a lot of attention. The cupholder does work once you get used to it. Yes, the Console isnt a high point, yet you can upgrade to almost any material ie wood. Legroom is short and Im maybe 510". Still its seats are good for a roadster. Put aftermarket Chip in and yes it was quicker but electric fan always stayed on. Took it out. Dont miss the little extra HP. Drove SLK 320 liked Crossfire better cause it looks better yet could not find extra price value with the MB. Ex wants car back. Would like to buy it. NO WAY MAN

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  poor service - 2006 Chrysler Crossfire
  By bigdaddy0345 - December 22 - 1:29 pm

  I have had this car for awhile and have no problems till I brought it in for service. Had the oil changed and now I have a leak. Twice in about the leak and they said no leak, till I gave them the paper with oil on it. The car is great, but the service stinks. Dont trust corporate, they will avoid fault. I think I will stay with a Hyundai

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  You get what you pay for - 2010 Chrysler Sebring
  By Ash Kidman - December 22 - 10:48 am

  Firstly, I didnt purchase this car, it was provided as a company vehicle. After just three weeks of driving the vehicle and with 1300 miles on the odometer, I have already had to replace a tail lamp bulb (not that big a deal) and now the engine light is on. The seats on this vehicle take some getting used to, the interior looks nice but the materials are cheap. Engine in my vehicle is actually the 2.7 V6, and as V6s go it is unrefined and sluggish. Gas mileage is average for a vehicle this size. My company had a choice between this car and the new Taurus. The Taurus is bigger, more powerful, better built and more expensive...the Sebring proves the old adage, you get what you pay for.

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  Love Sebrings bought 2 - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By gypsy4u - December 19 - 1:16 pm

  I had a 2007 Sebring and got carjacked. I loved my sebring so much, it never had a problem. I drove it to Reno, going 90 miles per hour the whole way. Those Hills are steep! The car has power! It drives like a cadillac! Only one problem, cant drive with windows down, sounds like helicopter. Something to do with the wind and aerodynamics. Its in the owners manual. Drive with the windows up. I loved my sebring soo much I bought a 2008 sebring, its maroon. I have finally found a car that I will continue to buy. Its a nice sporty family car. I feel very safe in it.