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 looker - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By george - August 11 - 8:51 pm

  it is the most fun you can have with your clothes on. It sure is a crowd pleaser. Everywhere you go people go out of their way to see what kind of car it is.Im very, very happy with the car.

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  Safety in a small car - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Carolyn - August 11 - 7:40 pm

  This is a small car with good fuel economy. Totally fun to drive around town especially to zip into small spaces where other vehicles cannot park. The freeway I feel is a scary proposition. My concern is the size and I have not been able to find any web sites that list the PT Cruiser for a crash rating. When you are sitting behind the steering wheel of the Cruiser the dash appears to be 18" to 2 in front of you, but the hood looks like it is only extended about 8" beyond that. Kinda scary. I realize it is the optics that give that impression, but I feel I deserve to feel safe in my car. Putting this car in cruise control is awkward as is having the gas tank on the right side.

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  Good Car - 2002 Chrysler Sebring
  By hwy driver - August 8 - 1:51 pm

  I have had this car for 3 years now and put 140 miles a day on it driving back and forth to work. Im up to 110,000 miles now. Gas mileage has been good at 28 mpg. Comfort is great. Sound system rocks. Only issues have been some stupid electrical problems. Relay for blower heater motor went bad once and the Windshield Washer pump seemed weak in the winter time. Other than that its been oil changes, tires, and breaks.

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  Truth about the PT, from a real owner - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Wanabeeditor - August 8 - 12:40 pm

  Great car for the price. No unscheduled service stops or repairs after 27,000 miles. Just tire rotations and oil changes. It hugs the curves well on off ramps and loves to eat up 40-45 MPH curves with the cruise set at 55-60. The handling gives you a lot of confidence in the platform. Steering feel & effort is very good with a nice on center position. It takes very little correction to keep the PT in your lane. The engine is well suited at 150 HP to motivate our 4 speed auto PT just fine, low R.P.M. torque is pretty standard for a 4 cylinder car. Even the engine at idle sounds a bit retro which is nifty, but takes on a smooth feel/sound at speed. Hauls anything, great gauges and supp. seats.

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  great quality for chrysler - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By heath - August 7 - 10:00 am

  We were tired of our ford explorer so we traded it in on a pacifica. The quality of this car is superior to other chrysler vehicles. It feels like a mercedes when you drive it. Fit and finish are very good. Its solid and stabile on the road. We thought about purchasing a volvo, but third row seating did not compare to this car, you can really only carry 4 adults, this car can carry six. Power is adequate for this size ca. Fuel economy is not great, although in line with other automobiles with the same curb weight.

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  great quality for chrysler - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Heath - August 7 - 10:00 am

  We were tired of our ford explorer so we traded it in on a pacifica. The quality of this car is superior to other chrysler vehicles. It feels like a mercedes when you drive it. Fit and finish are very good. Its solid and stabile on the road. We thought about purchasing a volvo, but third row seating did not compare to this car, you can really only carry 4 adults, this car can carry six. Power is adequate for this size ca. Fuel economy is not great, although in line with other automobiles with the same curb weight.

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  Nice Car - Needs some tweeks - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By ARG - August 3 - 10:00 am

  Overall my wife and I love the car. Get lots of comments on the exterior design. Easy to get kids in and out of. However, have been slightly disappointed in the initial build quality. Have had to replace front ball bearings and lift gate mechanism with less than 3,000 miles. Expected more with this being the first true joint vehicle since the merger with Mercedes.

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  Loved This little car for Practicality - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By P Steen - August 2 - 3:06 pm

  I adored this concept. Enjoyed driving it and was able to pack it with so much! I never took out the seats, but carried hot water heaters out of Home Depot with no problem. Only put 2 seats down.Clearly one of the most dependable autos Ive owned. Seats are comfortable and keep you erect for long trips. Noise is average for me. I never expected a Cadillac/Mercedes. I bought this for trasporting small loads around and for basic transportation. A/C was OK. Never a problem, but in summer in FL, I sometimes felt warm in the start up process. Brakes rear seem to get a grind once you begin your day, but that goes away-rear brakes after you depress brakes once or twice.

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  Review - 2004 Chrysler Sebring
  By HJ - July 29 - 9:13 am

  Very dependable vehicle. good fuel mileage. Low maintenance cost. Average sound system with good knob placement

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  SRT6 - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By sean - July 28 - 12:02 pm

  Wicked on the track Acceleration great at any speed. Lots of attention on the road