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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  Astonishing Value - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Stephen - November 23 - 8:30 am

  Have had the vehicle for about 10 days and think it is a fabulous performer and value for the price paid. Have had (and still have) Mercedes since 1970. BMW, and Jaguar. This is the first "American" car Ive owned in years. The Mercedes engineering and influence is obvious. Ride seems comparable to the E Series. Terrific automobile.

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  OK vehicle.... - 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By PTCMan - November 22 - 11:16 am

  Does all the base-line things youd expect from a vehicle like this. Over and above that, it does seat 4 people comfortably, it has ample trunk space and it looks nice. It is not an economical vehicle. Bet on around 21mpg/overall (terrible for a 4- banger). With the auto, the engine is sluggish. It has been fairly reliable. Most issues were covered under the manufacturers warranty and they were mostly minor (except for the CD- player, which just stopped accepting CDs and the battery going dead at 33K miles). The CD-player was replaced (w/a refurbed one). The battery was replaced (the tech told me, Chrysler refurbs all their batteries and then resells them as new in new cars?????)

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  2007 Chrysler Aspen - 2007 Chrysler Aspen
  By BRAE - November 22 - 8:08 am

  2007 Chrysler Aspen is one of the best cars I have ever owned. I leased the vechicle for 27 months then bought the car. Fuel economy is 14 city and 19-20 highway just as they have reported. I ordered this vechicle with everything and could not be more pleased with the performance and quality. A lot of car for the money especially when you compare with others in this class. Very disappointed they will not continue to make in the future.

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  Butane Blue Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Steamldr - November 22 - 2:00 am

  The Pacifica is a classy, elegant car. It has great interior passanger space and is very comfortable for front and backseat passangers, adults in the backseat have more than enough leg room. However, it lacks cargo space when the third row seats are used, you can only get one carry on size rolling bag in the center of the cargo space because the back end of the car is curved. The drive in the car is a very smooth ride, but the "blind spots" are very large, making changing lanes and backing up harder.

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  Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Paula r - November 22 - 2:00 am

  Overall superior - fun for road trips - also great for long commutes

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  The bes suv ever - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Jojimbo - November 22 - 2:00 am

  This car is great

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  Excellent Drive - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Scorzaze - November 22 - 2:00 am

  The ride is fantastic. It can haul the kids to soccer and still take friends out to dinner. What a classic ride. It can even take it to Home Depot.

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  Love the looks, but needs more power. - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By lhseltzer - November 22 - 2:00 am

  I am very happy with the way the Pacifica looks and how comfortable it is, BUT the engine is underpowered. In a situation where you have to accelerate quickly, youre in trouble. I have a hard time believing this engine was in the 300M. After complaints about the PT Cruiser being underpowered, (now corrected with a turbo available), they should have thought ahead and beefed up the engine on the Pacifica in the first place.

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  Its truly "well beyond the suv"! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Carol Snyder - November 22 - 2:00 am

  Coming from Chrysler T&C LXI, I appreciate the ease of storage of the Pacifica back seats for hauling cargo. Also, appreciate the easy load of dvd and full screen viewing for movies in rear seat. Best feature is the very accurate navigation system in a location that is easy to use when driving. Interior is roomy, realatively easy to access the back row of seats and FUN to drive. Lots of positive feedback from others who like the overall appearance and the navigation feature when they get inside. Lots of "I like your car" comments! Only downside is limited site when backing up but no problems so far.

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  Pacifica Car of the future - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By zeke - November 22 - 2:00 am

  We have been driving our Pacifica since August and we have never had a nicer, more fun and easy to drive and ride in vehicle ever.