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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  Decent Family Vehicle - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By sbe79 - June 7 - 11:45 pm

  We bought this car last year with 100K on it. We had a large amount of problems with it upon purchase that were 100% covered by the dealer (a Chrysler-certified Jeep dealership). We bought it in July, it was finally cleared from the dealers service bay in November. That could be a record. The issue was an EVAP code that eventually led to having both fuel pumps replaced (the car has two). The dealer began with the easy stuff (replacing valves and the gas cap). The vehicle is an overall very good SUV. It is spacious and the ride quality is on par with higher-end SUVs. Im not totally sold on the quality, but its nearly solid since then. I replaced the EGR valve this month.

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  2.4 is "a pleasant surprise" - 2015 Chrysler 200
  By honestreview2 - May 31 - 5:58 pm

  Only reason I am giving a 4 for reliability is because of Chryslers previous track record with this car. So far I have had 0 issues. I saw the 200s when they came out and loved the new styling. Ill admit it is a bit conservative but I think thats what gives it more of a classy look rather than a more aggressive look that will not age well. Originally I was going to get the 200s with the V6 for that tremendous power, but after comparing the two, I preferred the way the 4 cylinder composed itself and handled. Even though the 200s 0-60 is 9 sec, in normal driving it feels much more powerful and very smooth. The transmission was a little quirky at first but after break in it smoothed out.

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  Luxory and Affordability Like No Other Car Offers - 2015 Chrysler 300
  By rram300 - May 22 - 10:53 am

  Purchased a 2015 300 Limited in April. Although this is supposed to be a base model I also compared Mercedes, Audi, Volvo, BMW, Infinity, and Acura base models and the 300 beat them by far with things like heated leather (not leatherette)seats, larger infotainment 8.4 screen, 3.6L 292hp 6-cylinder power, good mpgs (I average 25 combined)and I added several options such as Nav., safety blind spot monitoring, lane change assist, remote start, front and rear parking sensors, back-up camera, LED fog lamps, Beats speakers with a sub-woofer in the trunk, and more and still came in at under $31K. Do your research folks and youll discover like I did this is the best value luxury car around.

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  Very Poor Climate Control - 2013 Chrysler 300
  By dustync - May 13 - 2:16 pm

  I want to love this car. It has a very smooth and quiet ride, gets good fuel mileage and it Sparkles! But two issues makes it a Love/Hate relationship: First, the climate control has been doing its own thing for some time now. Now and then it starts blowing out super-hot air, no matter what temp it is set on. Going back to the dealer for second repair. The front windshield is extremely pitted after only 34k miles! aerodynamics? cheap glass? ( I do not tailgate). At the current pace, I will have to replace it by 50k miles.

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  Comfortable Car - 2015 Chrysler 200
  By sjmst2 - May 12 - 10:20 am

  The V6 has plenty of power and the suspension soaks up bumps nicely. Materials and fit and finish are first rate. Styling in and out are not flashy but very tasteful. I got the “linen” interior which is striking but very rare. The car feels very solid. For the price it’s an enjoyable car and a great value.

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  Trying American....Again..... - 2015 Chrysler 200
  By scott_in_pa - May 10 - 8:17 pm

  My last new Detroiter was an08 Buick Enclave. A great car until the SECOND transmission went out at 156k, so on to the Germans for me. Tiring of $1000 repair bills every visit, I rolled the dice on a 2015 200S with every option sans LED lights and adaptive cruise. Well be piling on the highway miles over the next 3 years, so the claimed 29mpg for an AWD vehicle sold me. The only other AWD sedan that came close was the Subaru Legacy, larger interior, more safety features, but it was an absolute dog on the highway. Got 18% off sticker and the ext warr for half price: made them throw in the True Coat (see: Fargo, the movie).

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  Superb Vehicle - 2008 Chrysler 300
  By beniciajoe - May 6 - 8:03 pm

  Great style, great performance and total comfort make for a superb vehicle. This is my second 300, with the first being a 2006 Touring model. The Touring was a more balanced car, delivering everything I needed. But the 300C Heritage Edition give me everything I want. Speed, comfort and reliability. Great highway cruiser, and it pulls strong up to its 130 mph electronic limit. Nice neutral handling through the turns, and good communication as you approach the cars limits. Amazing comfort and stereo combine to make the miles effortless. I now have 148,000 miles, and no problems yet - I still have the original brake pads and rotors! I can afford a new car, but this has everything.

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  Amazing vehicle - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By beniciajoe - May 6 - 7:56 pm

  I purchased a new Chrysler 300 Touring in Feb 2006, putting 120,000 miles on the vehicle in about four years. The only maintenance required was routine (oil changes, transmission flush, replacement spark plugs...). Amazingly, at 120,000 miles the car still had the original brake pads with 40% of the pad remaining. Ive never had a vehicle this reliable, and have nothing but praise for Chryslers build quality. Ride was quiet and smooth, but also nicely balanced through the corners, making it as pleasurable on a back road as on the highway. I averaged slightly over 24 mpg on the highway at a steady 80 mph. I later upgraded to a 2010 300C, but found the Touring to be better balanced.

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  Dont Tell My 2015 300 It Isnt a Luxury Car... - 2015 Chrysler 300
  By dobberdawg - May 2 - 9:46 pm

  and dont tell me either. Took Delv mid-April. Ordered 300c with Tech 1 & 2 and Lght gp 18" tires for comfort. Immed took it on 1000 mile trip. Drove better than any luxury car Ive driven and they are many.Has ANY thing you can get on any car but in a much simpler format.I traded a twice the price luxury car for this and I got the better of the deal.Highs: Seats, radio, noise suppression, smoothest cruise control avail you dont even know when it goes in and out. No clunk like others, MPG, seats have room under them so no more lost credit cards.Lows:________, and _______ and _______ and I cant think of any more lows. Perhaps more interior color choices.

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  2005 Chrysler Sebring GTC Convertible - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By bluesman53 - April 21 - 7:50 pm

  When I bought my Sebring it was in 2006 and was a 1 year old Used Card with 27,000 miles. I have now had it 9 years and have put 40,000 miles on myself to bring the mileage to date to 67,000. It has been very reliable with the exception of the Rear Window Defroster that breaks every summer putting the top up and down. I chose not to replace the window. I am still using the factory Brakes, they will be replaced soon as they are at 5/32" on the Pads! At 66,500 miles I replaced the Ignition Switch. Other than general maintainance (Oil Changes, Tires, Battery) it has been a very dependable vehicle and a Blast to drive in the summer! I plan on keeping it many more years!