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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  try the new AWD! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By jeff - October 9 - 8:46 pm

  Run flat tires are probably too firm. Nav and satellite radio are fantastic! Does not come with chrome wheels (RWD model does)

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  try the new AWD! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By jeff - October 9 - 8:30 pm

  Run flat tires are probably too firm. Nav and satellite radio are fantastic! Does not come with chrome wheels (RWD model does)

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  Awesome vehicle - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By barbara - October 9 - 12:33 pm

  I have wanted one of these since they first came out. I finally got one and it is the best!!!!!!! A sleek look with all the room of my old town & country van. I couldnt be happier

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  Great Bang for the Buck! - 2007 Chrysler 300
  By jcvpw - October 7 - 5:11 pm

  This car has been fantastic. Cant complain about anything. Even the gas mileage for a 425 hp car is above average. I can get 23 mpg on the freeway on long trips. I am 68 and 300 lbs and this is the first car that I have owned that an adult can actually sit behind me while I am driving. If you are looking for a fun, fast, family car that competes with the Germans, take a look at this one.

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  2nd pac awd - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By k.a.hulewicz - October 7 - 2:23 pm

  This is the 2nd awd. The touring awd was almost mechanically perfect, only real problem, too slow. Brakes were warped by 34,000. 07 ltd awd is really a fast auto. A great improvement. Trans. seems confused at times. Will wait on the 6spd and new engine review. 05 was using a lot of oil?? at the end.Changed it at 3000, went to 6000. and it was down 2 qts at the end? 1 of, If not our best cars still.

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  Love this car! - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By dlh - October 7 - 10:18 am

  This is an excellent family car that is still fun to drive. It drives like a luxury car, not an SUV. I would buy another one. Highly recommend it.

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  An awesome SUV - 2009 Chrysler Aspen
  By 2009ASPEN - October 6 - 11:34 pm

  We recently purchased a 2009 Aspen with the new 5.7 liter HEMI. On the way to work my average MPG came to 22.7 which is incredible for a vehicle of this size and 376 horsepower. Edmunds needs to update its information since the new HEMI is more efficient and has more horsepower than the 2008. The build quality and ride is incredible. Chrysler has done an excellent job!

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  Well done, Chrysler - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Jeff Stevens - October 5 - 4:06 am

  This car screams luxury. Comfort and driveability is top notch, second to none. Versatility is key with this vehicle.

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  Best car ever - 2004 Chrysler 300M
  By Ro - October 5 - 12:05 am

  Clean design, smooth ride, great car! My 300 is a fun car to drive and I havent had any complaints so far. It handles well on the road with the powerful engine, and the Autostick feature is fun to use.

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  In love! 300 touring rwd ltd pkg - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By 300 MANIAC - October 4 - 9:34 pm

  Best automobile I have ever owned! Had showroom new cars before, but this one is what Ive been looking for all these years. Awesome styling inside and out. Room galore, great gauges, too many pluses to tell here. I dont want to put too many miles on the silver lady, but I cannot wait to get in and enjoy the experience! 3.5 L, 5 speed auto stick German tranny, loves to keep pulling on out to jail time speeds in city driving without even trying. Turns on a dime. Only car I ever wanted to keep til Im dead and Im a younger boomer. Pulled in to a major fast food rest stop on I-75, a guy comes up to me, says "I thought for sure there was a Bentley pulling in, beautiful car". 1 more look at bedtime-in love!