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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  Wifes new ride - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Bprofeta - November 3 - 10:00 am

  I work with the high line automobiles, really liked the quality and styling of this new vehicle, Im impressed, more horespower would be nice but is adequate.

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  WhoooHooo - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By dride9 - November 3 - 10:00 am

  I have just recently purchased a 2004 and this car is great. I had a 2002 bonneville, and let me tell you I love this car much more. It just goes to show you that simplicity is better. Though it doesnt have the buttons that the bonnie had, it still is far more superior in looks and styling. Can say that I am a chrysler man from now on. And the chrysler dealership that I purchased it from has went beyond the call of duty. No wonder chrysler symbolizes perfection.

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  Pretty nice little car - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Kathy - November 3 - 7:26 am

  A good car, strong and reliable. Great around town, and fine on the freeway. The only problem weve had is with the idle when the AC is on, but if you turn the AC off its fine, and we didnt notice this when we first had the car so maybe its the AC.

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  2 in a row - 2008 Chrysler 300
  By Paul Eisen - November 1 - 7:52 pm

  Have my 2nd. 300C and couldnt be more satisfied. Comfort & performance are the best features. Highway mpg is 27- 28, but have seen 30+ many times. The available power is a plus. Only concern is the size of the brakes, needs better stopping ability, otherwise it is the best value around for the money. Huge trunk and ergonomic perfection.

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  They Get it Right Then Kill It - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Garth - October 31 - 5:40 pm

  The first thing that struck us about this car is the styling. Although they built it in their minivan plant, it is a much better looking car. The updates for 2007 are a must have. The 6 speed transmission is giving us around 17 mpg in mixed city and highway driving. We see better than 22 if highway speeds are kept at a reasonable level. I agree that the more powerful motor and extra two gears in the transmission help the car to be quick off the line but it is also one of the most relaxed highway cruisers that we have ever driven. The crash ratings are unmatched in its class. The seats are very comfortable and the dual zone climate with rear heat control means that everyone is comfortable.

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  Good Performance - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Peter - October 30 - 3:58 pm

  My first Chrysler. It is great price with the features to match. It have SUV advantage (big), but easy to turn on highway.(because base is low.) So, it can be called top performance. Dont know long term quality, because first day broken on road.It was one call back.

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  this not your grandpas 1970s era dodge aspen - 2008 Chrysler Aspen
  By Tracy Brown - October 30 - 12:34 am

  total luxary, lazy boy type driving comfort, decades of chrysler realiable hemi power, years of lasting body styling on a dodge ram chassis, engineering dependabilty, what more can I tell.........60 years of purchasing more than 35 various cars/trucks, and this chrysler aspen, is most definately the very best that I have yet to own............I bought it for my birthday in 2007, and I still own it and still enjoy driving it every day.............. updated 4.12.2017 by Tracy Brown........well, readers, I still own my Chrysler Aspen Limited 5.7L Hemi RWD.........and I like it more today than before my last review..........I probably have the last Aspen Standing..........Chrysler put a gazzillion dollars into the Dorango Makeover, and they will never but never re-coup that money on the DOGG of a Dorango !!!! I would have, had I been Chrysler, never badged this SUV the Aspen.........I would have dumped the dorango brand, and re-upted the badge of the long time ago, Chrysler luxo finned crusier the " Imperial " its was pure luxary..........and I would have marketed this (ASPEN) as the Imperial, and aimed it directly at the GMs Caddy Esclade, and the Ford Lincoln Navigator, and brought back the rivarly of the "Big 3" auto makers from the 1960s and 1970s......there have only been two men in the automotive business ever, that were geniuss, Mr. Henry Ford and the great Lee Iococa !!!! everybody since those two men, and even up to this date.........could not walk and chew gum at the same time........ok ok put the tomatos you are about to throw at me down please .......... I am only talking about domistice car makers.........gezzzz give a guy a break. Tracy Brown 10.13.2017 update..........I was right with this review then, and the review stands firm of/for my Chrysler SUV is even more worthy of high praise today.......and I have the support of the worlds finest and most all around knowledgable mechanic...............because my daddy told me way back when..........son, get yourself a good heart specialist, and a great mechanic..............words of wisdom for the ages for any car guy.............lol Tracy Brown

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  MY BABY! - 2007 Chrysler Sebring
  By love my sebring - October 29 - 7:42 pm

  I went to a Nissan dealership, and drove away with a Chrysler. Im a college student, wanted to get something I wouldnt have to pray would break down on me. Test drove a few Nissans then I test drove the Sebring, and then took it home. I love the way the car looks. Its great on gas, and the sound system is great. People have been complaining about the pick up, I think the car is quite peppy, and when Im on the highway I dont even realize how fast Im going sometimes. The inside feels sorta like a airplane cockpit, but I love my car ! I love the gas mileage it rivals a Honda, or Nissan . Not bad for an American made car

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  fun but little things cost a lot - 1999 Chrysler LHS
  By deantre - October 29 - 8:02 am

  Great engine, good handling, nice styling, under engineered windows, engine fans, sound system speakers. Had drivers window go inoperative, tranny sensor quit, speakers fell apart, heater quit working, seat heater quick working, sensor quit, they tell me the only fix is a new $800 Seat. Yeah right, good job Chrysler.

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  Hate to see it go - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Lee - October 28 - 8:38 pm

  So far this has been an absolutely fabulous driving and riding vehicle. Wife doesnt ask to stop every two hours to stretch and walk out the kinks. Gas mileage is not bad (22.7) on trips as long as you dont use ethanol. In 34000 miles the only problem is with an electronic sender that tells the torque converter to lock. Warranty covered. Hate to see them go, may drive this one into the ground.