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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  BEST CAR IVE OWNED - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By tom galvin - October 16 - 12:20 am

  I bought my PT pre-owned and loved it from the first second I drove it. The only problem I had with it was it dumped water in the back seats because of a/c but was covered by dealer. It holds up well in wrecks my daughter flipped it over going 60!!! That was the end for my favorite car but I had it 7 years and was planning on buying a new car anyways. It was a 5 speed manual, sun roof and loaded. It was great to drive everyday and I miss it.

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  Reliable car over the long haul - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By mikeru669 - October 15 - 7:04 pm

  We purchased our 2006 Cruiser with 13K miles on it 66 months ago, we now have 115K miles, we traveled all over the country on all kinds of roads. The Cruiser has been one of the most reliable cars we have owned. Only recurring problem, camshaft positioning sensor replaced twice since car went over 80K. Takes about 15 minutes to replace. Had a Neon prior which the Cruiser is based on. The Neon was one of the 2 or 3 worse cars we ever owned.

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  Hemi Engine Problem - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By L.K. Johansen - October 15 - 5:13 pm

  At 26,500 miles my hemi broke down with a broken valve spring. I was towed and was without my 300C for a week. Out-of- town dealer replaced all 16 valve springs and plugs. Runs fine now, but I could not believe the stares I got with my hood up and flasher lights blinking last Friday night on a major thoroughfare. I was shocked and disappointed that this could happen. I have never abused my 300C by driving it too hard. My car shook violently and I lost power rapidly. The check engine light flashed unmercifully. I will give my hemi one more chance. The next time I am trading for either a Japanese or German car. I guess American built reliability is still highly suspect.

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  love this car - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By d heal - October 13 - 6:18 pm

  for the money this car is one of the nicest cars to own and drive. looks as good as the high buck 4 seat convertibles.

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  Stuck with this for a few months - 2012 Chrysler 200
  By Fred Theoalagan - October 13 - 3:36 pm

  Have a Chrysler 200 that was rented for me for a few months. Had it one week and already hate it. Transmission is annoying. Feels like something is wrong with car but apparently there isnt, was just told thats what the car does. They have a fleet and they all do the same thing, I was told. It makes it feel like I am constantly making small acceleration/deceleration changes but I am not. Very uncomfortable when driven more than a few miles. Rides is bad but cant tell if its the transmission or suspension. Layout of and type of controls is nothing short of goofy. The shift control is a knob right near all the radio knob controls, making it easy to reach for the wrong one. Plus counterintuitive controls so it is uncomfortable to use. Emergency Brake is electric. Seems entire car is dependent on a computer for all controls so, nothing manual. Hate to know what would happen if the cars decided to accelerate on its own. There would be no manual control to intervene. If you are six feet or taller your head will rub against the ceiling in the back seat. Does look nice though...

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  Best SUV - Ever! - 2009 Chrysler Aspen
  By niv - October 13 - 11:45 am

  I usaully trade for a new vehicle annually. I traded from the SRT 8 Jeep to the Aspen. Although it took a several weeks I can now appreciate the third row seating, almost 20 MPG and the engineering improvements over Jeep.I may keep this one a little longer than usual...

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  Very nice reliable family car - 2006 Chrysler Sebring
  By C,Faith - October 12 - 12:41 am

  Had my sebring for 2 and a half years now put many many miles on it and it still runs and sounds new! The head room is a issue for tall people,well actually im only 57 and i bang my head alot on the roof,so that maybe a good thing to consider. Odomotor lights are green if maybe they made it abit more sporty it would be perfect. The seats in the back are not the greatest but hey thier seats,right? Over all love the car,safe and reliable

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  2008 300C: A great buy - 2008 Chrysler 300
  By OceanP - October 11 - 11:33 pm

  After a younger generation of my family totalled my Lincoln LS on ice, I was in the market for a replacement. Drove many of the "reliable" imports: ranging from Infinity to Lexus. Then I drove the 300C. The others are all great cars, but none offered the classic styling and the WOW effect of the 300C, and the power of the HEMI. The car has been great so far and consistently gives 22 to 23 mpg on the highway runs visiting my kid at college. Great comfort, ride and performance to boot! And unique looks to go with it. The interior could stand to be upgraded a bit. You can see where Chrysler cut corners: But still very liveable inside and out. Just wish the exhaust note was a bit throatier.

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  Looks good but made with cheap parts! - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Julia Davis - October 11 - 9:58 pm

  It is made with cheap parts that will keep you at a dealer. ALL the pins in my motor broke in half and they were hollow. The mechanic said that most pins are solid all the way through so if they broke once they will do it again. Every time I took it in, I was told they get alot of 300s in with all types of problems and most of them have to do with the motor. I love the look but hate the way it kept me at a dealer. Im glad I got rid of it.

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  what have i done - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By robin - October 11 - 8:28 pm

  i purchased my pacifica from carmax in raleigh and it has been nothing but trouble. i purchased it on 16 aug 09 and it has been in the shop 4 times and this last time they still dont know whats wrong with it. each time i took it to be repaired the techs kept telling me the noises were normal. it took the sup of service to ride with me to tell them the noises werent normal. the car has been with them more than with me. maybe they should be making the payment.