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 love my car! - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Spagal32 - September 10 - 7:03 pm

  I did a lot of research before buying my 2005 Pacifica. I have never been so happy with a vehicle purchase. The Pacifica is great for my family and its fun to drive. The kids love it. It drives smooth and so far seems very reliable. There were a couple of glitches at first..the back window switch had the window going down when I started the ignition, and the engine tension pully was squealing. All was fixed though. Overall I love my car.

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  I must be dreaming! - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Moonsta - September 10 - 12:12 pm

  I have only had my loaded Pacifica for a couple of weeks and I dont see falling out of love with it! Solid, secure feel. Luxury plus! All the little details that Chrysler puts into some of their cars is wonderful. As other people have written, gas isnt great. But hey, its big, its AWD, what do you expect? I am very happy with it and mileage is about the same as my minivan. Finally I dont get asked if I have kids (no!) I waited a long time to have a car of this caliber and truthfully?? Id buy another.

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  I love my pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By debbie 2626 - September 9 - 2:00 am

  This is the most fantastic vehicle I have owned. It rides good , its fun to drive and comfortable. It is everything rolled into one.

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  PACIFICA - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By MARKS - September 9 - 2:00 am

  NICE CAR. GOOD CROSS OVER BETWEEN SUV AND CAR.

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  nice ride - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Michelle - September 9 - 2:00 am

  Over all very happy making a change from having bigger SUV

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  Best Car I ever had - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By No - September 8 - 8:13 pm

  This is a great car. I was in a very serious accident and needed a car that would feel and be safe for me and my daughter. It is. The only issue is gas mileage and some poor rear visibility. Best Car I ever owned. love It

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  Kudos to Chrysler - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By Janet - September 8 - 12:56 pm

  We recently purchased a 2008 Sebring Coupe Touring and absolutely love it. We have been on a few road trips and love the comfort, smooth ride and great gas mileage (averaging 33 mpg). We love the looks and all of the standard upgrades. I am not sure why some would put Honda/Hyundai ahead of this (we test drove both) and hands down it is the winner!

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  Love, Love, Love my Pacifica!!! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By vs11972 - September 4 - 10:00 am

  Did I say I love it??? I used to drive a Town and Country, and liked it a lot, but hated the "mommy" image. Ditched it for an Envoy. Nice, but felt truck-like, and then I started to feel like I was driving a cookie- cutter truck!!! When I saw the Pacifica, I fell in love. It has all of the features I want: 3rd row seat, fold-down configuragions galore, Great styling, lots of gadgets and gizmos (love the navigation system!!!) and best of all it is NOT a van or a Truck! My gas mileage has averaged 18 mpg overall...mostly city driving, at that. Not too bad, in my opinion.

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  Goodbye overpriced eurocars - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By moetexas - September 4 - 10:00 am

  Finally, a great design and build from an "American" car maker. I traded in my BMW. I chose it over a 525i sport premium package ($45000). I generally drove BMW, Lexus and Cadillacs. The 300 touring is spacious, comfortable yet sporty, fun to drive, well mannered on the road and has everything I need. If you travel long distances, this is your car. I think it is not overpriced as most eurocars. I think it will cause a few wrecks from admiring drivers not watching the road but my 300. People come up to me and ask if it is a benz, cadillac, bentley? If it is reliable, my next car WILL be the 300C with the HEMI. YES.

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  Im in love - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Bob - September 3 - 9:50 am

  Bought car used with 77,000 miles on it. Over 4 yrs. Later love it even more. 153k and runs like the day I bought it. Replaced rear wiper motor ($43 reman) very easy fix and some suspension parts, expected. Hauled 25 cu. ft. Fridge while doing 60 on expressway, no problem. By far the most stylish, dependable, versatile vehicle I have ever owned. Decided to shoot for 200k+ so I did a little customizing. Plenty of options with this one