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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  One of my Best Cars - 2002 Chrysler Concorde
  By George Budlong - August 10 - 5:53 pm

  This has been one of the better cars I have owned. I get 28 MPG on the highway and around 21-22 mpg in the city. I have all the "bells and whistles" on it except for a moon roof. I maintain it on a regular basis and only have had the usual wear and tear like brakes and front end alignment. I hesitate to trade for an economy car as the mileage would not be that much better and I would sacrifice the ride and comfort.

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  More uses than any car - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Mike Tierney - August 9 - 2:36 pm

  You can do so many things with this car. You can haul items you would never get in a regular car. you get great mileage. There are alot of aftermarket parts companies to choose from. We belong to a Cruiser club ( TVCC }, and have a ball with all the activities,

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  My wife loves her new Crossfire - 2008 Chrysler Crossfire
  By caremanager - August 9 - 5:06 am

  We are very happy with our Crossfire. My wife could have picked any convertible she wanted in the $40k range. She chose the Crossfire because of its beautiful styling and head turnablity factor. She absolutely loves her car. What made it even better yet was the incredible deal we got on this vehicle. We just couldnt say no to the $29,900 price tag for this fully loaded car. No other convertible even came close to that price with this many features. The time is right to get this end of model year German built sports car.

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  2007 Aspen - 2007 Chrysler Aspen
  By TN_SWEET_COWGRL - August 8 - 10:46 pm

  I got mine with 2 miles on it pay cash for it . And it was the best thing that I have gotta in yrs, I get good gas and I love to take trips in it. Its got good room in the back sit for big footed kids. I have the dvd in it too. My little kids love it. And I dont have to worried anyone be happy on the rd now days. Its good for people that have 4 or more kids

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  I have owned many cars, but - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By nownzen69 - August 7 - 2:16 pm

  Overall, I have to say my 300C dollar for dollar is one of the most fun to drive value. And I have achieved over 26 mpg on the highway cruising at 70+ miles per hour. Spacious with power to spare - and it still gets compliments everywhere I go. The only drawback is interior could have been done a little better. When I my lease is up Ill probably buy this or get a new one!!!

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  Great! Not a problem - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By EBM - August 4 - 10:45 pm

  Best car. Had it almost three years and not one problem (how often does that happen). Drives great, fun to drive, mileage good for the weight and size (17 city, 23+ highway), plenty of room, quiet, fun to drive (did I already say that?). Took it on three long trips and was a breeze. Felt very secure, true to the road, couldnt ask for a better car. Lease is up and I dont want to give it up. Might have to buy another one.

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  VERY Impressed - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By bagman - August 4 - 1:28 pm

  Best car Ive ever owned! Drives smoothly, and is so comfortable. I have been getting 22 to 23 mpg in town and 27 to 28 mpg on the highway. I have absolutely no complaints with this car. Ive owned other car makers vehicles, but this Chrysler is far and away the best of any Ive ever owned. It is a vehicle that turns heads everywhere I go. It has a classy feel and has amazing power!

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  25,000 miles and still happy - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By Scott MacMillan - August 1 - 2:57 pm

  My Crossfire has all of the build quality and reliability you would expect-- but rarely get from a German made car. After 25k miles there are no rattles or squeaks, mechanically it hasnt missed a beat, and the factory original tires (Continentals) have only just given up the ghost. The car is a sports car, not a grand touring car, and as such has some sports car short comings, chief of which is a slightly cramped interior package. Anyone over 6ft will find that this isnt the best long distance car on the road. But for short jaunts and weekend escapes it is pretty much unbeatable. Excellent (but not superb) handling combined with "one of a kind" styling makes the Crossfire a joy to own.

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  Love it! - 2008 Chrysler Aspen
  By nancy - July 29 - 2:16 pm

  My husband bought the ASPEN for our 13th wedding anniversary, we went to trade our Town & Country minivan and my eyes caught this beautiful SUV, I said I want that one. I had never seen it before. Mine is cool vanilla, the ext is fancy and the interior is comfortable. I feel so protected my I ride it. I spent about $70 a week on gas. How about yours?

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  Wow! - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Vicki - July 28 - 9:51 am

  I love this ride! I love the memory seats with the controls on the door. It only takes the push of one button after my husband, who is a foot taller than me, has driven it. With my short legs the adjustable pedals put an end to my sitting on the steering wheel. The front, rear, side and roof air bags I hope I will never have to use but a great comfort to have, just in case. Its great at the drive in!