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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  I like my Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By jay2a8 - October 23 - 11:45 am

  We have had this vehicle for 6 months. We have taken several 1200 mile trips. WE like how it handles and the way it rides. The gas mileage is ok but would always like to see it be better. My wife uses the vehicle each day going back and forth to work. Her average in town has been 19mpg. Driving 80 mph on the interstate we get about the same.

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  No Bluray!? - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By JR - October 20 - 5:59 pm

  Hope you like going back to 2006 as the built in entertainment system will only play DVDs. I do love the roll down side windows

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  Dont get the base motor - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By SMK - October 20 - 9:01 am

  I had to get this car because my company went to company cars. I was driving an 05 Acura TSX. The 300 that I have has the ABS and the side curtain air bags. The base motor is just not powerful enough. I would have preferred the 3.5 motor, but it was not an option.

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  2000 Chrysler LHS Ownership - 2000 Chrysler LHS
  By Frank R. Hawkins - October 19 - 4:30 pm

  I purchased the car new and have had a very pleasant and satisfying ownership experience. With the exception of the replacement of an electric door lock actuator, I have had no problems with the car. The car performs well and the 3.5 litre, 250 horsepower engine has plenty of power and gets pretty good mileage. The car has a roomy interior and substantially more rear leg room than most cars, many of which cost substantially more. I can accomodate four men comfortably and get four sets of golf clubs in the large trunk. Try this with most other cars. Overall I have had a very good ownership experience with this 2000 Chrysler LHS.

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  Too many trips to the service department - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By Sharon - October 18 - 9:37 pm

  I love this car. It is so much fun, but unfortunately I will be trading it in for either a Honda or Toyota. I have never had a vehicle that had to go into the shop so often and since I have 38K+ miles on it now the factory warranty has expired. I have an extended warrenty but not everything is covered under it and each time I take it in for repairs I pay a $100 deductible. OUCH!! Im afraid its just a matter of time before something goes wrong with it that is not covered under the extended warrenty. I am afraid to keep it.

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  Satisfied Customer - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Satisfied customer - October 17 - 11:33 am

  Very reliable. Never serviced. Poor gas milage for a 4 cyl. and slightly under powered. I would recommend a turbo if available. Overall excellent quality and very low maintenance. Great car! 69,000 miles and not one problem yet. Have the Touring edition.

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  Great idea/poor quality - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By btr47 - October 14 - 2:00 am

  Many problems in 6000 miles-some major/some minor. Chrome molding at top of doors not aligned. Gauges and sensor problems. Recently, rear wheel froze while driving-still in shop. Wheels are rusting(Chrysler rep says ordinary wear and tear). The wind vibration is high when windows and sunroof are open. Ceiling liner fell down twice. Have not been able to attain gas mileage estimates on window sticker. Dealer is great,but car is a pain in the backside

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  Sharp car - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By mitchell P - October 14 - 2:00 am

  I love the car, color is inferno red, I got it loaded and has all the options and cost a whole lot less than the the so called foreign competitors. This is my 1st chrysler and I got the works. At this point I really like this car.

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  really nice - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By robin toth - October 12 - 11:53 pm

  This little car rides good in winter, and I only had all season tires on- lots of snow and some ice on roads.. It is fairly quiet although the heater is noisy when on. Overall very satisfactory vehicle

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  Great Car - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By sebring - October 11 - 12:39 pm

  Same problem with black goo coming out of doors on hot days. Otherwise it is great to drive. Handling is superb, very fun to drive. Not a lot of power off the line but enough to make it a fun drive. As long as you change the trans fluid regularly you will have no problems. Looks great, drives great, good car!