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:

• 

  Good attempt at something different - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By bigred06 - October 11 - 12:32 pm

  This was a nice attempt to create somthing a little different. Its clear that this was a car produced after the merger. The interior materials and design are much better than anything Chrysler produced prior. The engine is adequate but would be alot better it the car didnt weigh so much. Gas mileage would be better as well. The experience making minivans shows in the inside with the attention to details. I like the fact that the seats fold flat without the console in the middle of the 2nd row getting in the way. Thus far mine has been solid. I am curious to see with all the electronics (nav system, tire pressure monitor, EVIC system etc.) will hold up over time. This was a solid effort.

• 

  My first sports car!!! - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Fort Laud SRT6 - October 8 - 8:15 pm

  Ive owned a black SRT6 for about 2.5 months now. I bought it as a weekend/fun car. Despite only coming in an auto tranny, this car will satisfy the power hungry... believe me. Friends that have ridden with me (and the few close friends who I trusted to give it a test drive) commented on the rapid acceleration, smooth shifting auto tranny & great handling/traction. It pulls hard & upshifts from 3rd to 4th around 105 or so at full throttle. Trust what the reviews say about it & ignore the very few negative reviews because its a superb performer. Also, consumers held off on buying these at an unfair 45K so they can be had for a reasonable 30-35K w/low milage!! I paid $30,600 w/3400 miles!!!

• 

  Bang for the Buck - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By YoungFellah - October 4 - 7:59 am

  One of the biggest complaints about this car has been a result of the competition which surrounds it in that mid $30,000 price bracket. You have BMW coupes, the 350Z, the G35 coupe, the S2000, to name a few. And those cars are phenomenal in their own rights. But I got my Crossfire for about $20,000, and it wasnt even a year old. And be fair, which of these cars looks the most exotic? I think that as good as the other cars look, the Crossfire is in a different class. And it is fast enough. The Mercedes 3.2L motor thats under the hood is low on BHP, but it has a fat torque curve that really starts stomping at 3000 rpms. 6.1 0-60 seems good. And the exhaust note!

• 

  1st PT Cruiser - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Jeff - October 3 - 5:50 pm

  This is my first PT. I have wanted one since inception and finally got it. I love the uniqueness about this car. Although they really need to address the fuel economy issue and engine size, other than that the car performs very well. I would also like to see the crash test results as I have three children that love to ride in it. The interior has amazing headroom and legroom, although controls for the rear windows need to be placed elsewhere. Storage space is large for grocery runs. I have checked online for add-ons and found literally hundreds of different things that I can "trick" out my PT to make it even more unique. I would definitely purchase another when this one wears out.

• 

  Fun to drive - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Zach - September 30 - 11:16 pm

  This car is a eye turner, and it performs just as good as it looks. The cup holder is a waste, needs a better location

• 

  best SUV on the road so far - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By nj - September 28 - 10:00 am

  Look at MDX smaller gas tank and less driving range and less room overall. Explorer Ford need I say more. BMW X5 no room Big Price tag.X3 what is it? Discovery, Finally it is no more. Land Rover LR3 great looking has all the goodies "its a wait and see" Giant Price tag!!(Ford, get real) MB MLs If I want to buy a Merc made in USA, Oh wait I got one its called Pacifica!! Mls are all made here and are no better than any other American made car. DonÂ’t pay the extra for the label. Toyota and Lexus, same thing different tag. Great trucks but I think they think German only when they price them. Earth to Japan are you there?

• 

  Pacifica 2-Year Owner Review - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By 2 Yr Pacifica Owner - September 28 - 5:08 am

  The 2004 Pacifica AWD is a very nice vehicle overall, from the fantastic exterior design to the very spacious and comfortable interior. This vehicle has been very reliable and a pleasure to drive for the past two years. This vehicle could have been rated an excellent vehicle by me, if Chrysler would have improved the following areas: Increase engine power add vision system to increase rear-view sight during parking improve awful vanity mirror lighting add durable cover to top of rear bumper to protect it from cargo damage Add identical upgraded 19-inch rim option for spare tire add video screen to dash for front passenger improved difficult 2nd row seating access to 3rd row seating.

• 

  Best Value Convertible ? - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By R.B. - September 25 - 2:41 pm

  Ive had my car for over a year and in addition to providing me with great summer entertainment, it performed formidably throughout a full Canadian winter. The car is beautiful, fairly economical, and the acceleration is smooth and quick. The single largest problem that this car has is body shake. It becomes especially noticeable when the top gets thoroughly wet. If the 2007 Hard Top will address these issues, I might re-think buying the convertible Solara.

• 

  Great Convertible - 1999 Chrysler Sebring
  By tom - September 24 - 11:46 pm

  Weve been on several 4K trips with this car, and it has been wonderful--- very comfortable and stable on long rides----top down is a blast!

• 

  happy and proud 300c owner - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By schesman - September 24 - 8:46 pm

  Love the styling and the solid feel of the chassis. Cant count how many people have come up to me to ask questions. Everybody is very excited about this car. Engine is smooth as silk and very strong. Tranny does its job well too. Seats, gauges, nav system and stereo are great. Small windows look great and I have no problem with the outward visibility. Negatives: Bins on front doors are made of really cheap plastic. I have a few interior rattles that are bugging me, but no more than any other car I have owned, including so-called quality benchmarks like Lexus and Acura. I have owned them all and this car - whether it is American, Canadian or German - competes strongly on all fronts.