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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  Crossfire review - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By MARYHELEN HAGGE - October 28 - 2:00 am

  Incredibly fun to drive. Noticed immediately by colleagues. It only has two seats which means you cant pick up people. That limits your opportunity to show off this stunning vehicle. Accelerates well. Handles curves adroitly. Comfortable on long trips. Easy cruise control.

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  Stylish and Functional - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By njscouter - October 28 - 2:00 am

  After driving minivans for 18 years I was ready for "something different". This car gave me the style and luxury I was craving along with a flexable seating that I still need for my teenagers. HoweverGas milage has been dissapointing. Backing up my dark driveway at night requires a leap of faith due to the tinted glass. Noise when rear windows are open when going over 30 mph is painfully annoying. I have not found the power of the vehicle to be a problem.

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  Sweet Little Car with Big Attitude - 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By mbrayson - October 28 - 2:00 am

  I enjoy every minute I spend with this car. Its cute, it rides nice, has a nice radio, its comfortable. Its stylish and whimsical looking on the outside but very practical and versatile on the inside. Still impressed with the solid build quality... does not feel like a cheap little car.

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  04 PT Turbo Platinum Series - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By PT Gal - October 28 - 2:00 am

  This is my second PT and I cant find any negative aspects to report. My old 2002 PT Limited Edition was great in all areas but power, it was just too gutless and had to be floored to get out of everyones way. Hence the upgrade to my new 2004 Turbo Platinum Series. Stunningly sharp looking, chrome everywhere, luscious leather and suede seats, loaded with all the goodies Id ever want .. and POWER! Chrysler really stepped up to the plate on this series. Bravo!

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  Best in class by far - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Matt - October 27 - 7:30 pm

  I had my eye on this car 4 months before it hit the lot. By far the best car of its price range. Handles well, smooth ride and gets lots of looks. Solid power with the 3.5. Good gas mileage on the highway (drove from Los Angeles to San Francisco on one tank of gas). I cant tell you number of times I have been on the road and saw people driving those expensive Mercedes, BMWs and Lexus, slow down to check out my car. Love the after market products, purchased a Bently style grill and chrome panels for the B-Posts. Had it for almost a year now and only had one minor recall.

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  07 changes! - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Steve - October 26 - 8:00 pm

  I just leased my second Pacifica and Chrysler made all the changes that the car need over the 05 model. Bigger engine, back up camera and just a few nice features to make a great car even better!! The lease programs on this car are the best out there! I am driving a $41,000 dollar car for under $600 a month on a two year lease! 15k per year and no money down. This deal cannot be beat! This is a lot of car!

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  Cloth seats - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By A, Beaverhausen - October 26 - 7:30 pm

  This is a TRUE 1970s car. Wish the car came in cloth seats like the Cordova

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  Great machine - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By J. Klugman - October 25 - 6:23 am

  Chrysler has done it. A baby suv, oops a awd for the northeast. Snow up to your eyeballs and this baby wants to play! Great traction as well as stability. Must be carefull not to kill myself or anybody else. I have only felt the abs once this winter.

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  After rough beginning... - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By newyorker - October 25 - 2:00 am

  Had the auto-start installed and it screwed up the electrical system where we had it in the shop for the first week of its new life! Grand Prix made up for it with lifetime oil changes though...so no complaints now! Excellent car...very sturdy for a convertible - thank god we didnt buy the Cabrio (we were real close!), which felt like a Go Cart compared to this car.

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  good car - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By BurrDaMan - October 23 - 8:33 pm

  need turbo though for western mountains. This is a fun, fun car. It gets attention wherever you go