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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  Joans Pacifica - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By JoanJWM - June 9 - 2:00 am

  Very comfortable. many electronic malfunctions with controls requiring dealer service. computer software upgrades were required.

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  Excellent Traveling Car - 2003 Chrysler Concorde
  By Kevin - June 8 - 12:38 pm

  This car is a great companion on the open road, especially when carrying other passengers. The back seat is very accomodating, and it is very comfortable everywhere. The sound system is great too, along with the leather seats. Even as a used car, the condition is excellent. The only issue that I find being a problem is fuel economy and some wind noise, but otherwise this car is great on the road. It rides very well, and makes you feel secure behind the wheel.

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  The family truckster - 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Kzac - June 7 - 12:56 pm

  Fit and finish on my car have been first rate. The car is very fun to drive and handles well. The seating and view are very good. The interior space and extra storage are great. I was surprised to find out the car needed fron rotors at 15,000 miles, additionally I have never been able to achieve the rated mileage, my car gets 18-20 in the city and about 23 on the road using the cruse control at 55-60 mph. I live in the south so we have to run the air conditioner in the summer. I also dont like the shudder mine makes when you first start from a stop sign. It was fun to drive it through the mountians but the 18-19 mpg realy hurt our pocket book.

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  A car with promise - 2005 Chrysler Sebring
  By Bill T - June 6 - 2:18 am

  Chrysler pulled the plug on this machine too soon. This vehicle had such great possibilities with the ultra sleek exterior design, if only they would have used some of the exteriors bold new styling for the interior, as the interior utilizes cheap plastic components, a trade mark of Chrysler products. If youre a tall person, good luck in attempting to fit into this ride, head room is at an extreme minimal. Im short, so no complaints here ! The touring suspension provides a nice smooth ride, and the car being so low to ground provides you with sports car handling around bends, etc. I really like the car though, despite interior design. Id give it a few more ponies, re-work interior.

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  LHS: A good buy! - 1997 Chrysler LHS
  By Lucy & Eric Wood - June 4 - 5:36 pm

  Since weve owned it, weve had no problems whatsoever. The leather seats could be a little more durable, but maybe we should have used leather conditioner more frequently. We really like its get-up-and-go! When you need a burst of passing speed, this car delivers. The fuel mileage is 26-28 mpg, but its not bad for the comfort you get.

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  Not bad so far... - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By Barnum - June 4 - 12:16 am

  Veh has great functionality, very comfortable for four adults. 4 cyl w/auto is spunky. Most always can be configurable for whatever I need to carry. However, even when I really try I cant get better than 20 mpg city, and have never gotten over 22 on the highway. Thats pitiful for a 4 cyl engine. RAV-4 will probebly be next car- too bad, because I really like driving the Cruiser...

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  Fantastic ride - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By JMA - May 31 - 8:10 pm

  We bought our AWD Pacifica last March in order to get to our new house in the Catskills. Its a fantastic ride. Styling and quality are the best Ive seen in an American made car. Last weekend we had our first AWD test with heavy snow at night and a deer jumped out in front of us - the AWD worked beautifully and slowed us down without skidding. The navigation, heated seats and power lift gate are all phenomenal. A little more engine power and better side and rear visibility would make this a continued best seller for Chrysler.

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  Too soon to tell - 2017 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Allan b - May 30 - 9:53 pm

  8/2017 update. Oil change was straightforward. Oil filter is on top of engine instead of underneath. Tows my 14 foot fishing boat smoothly. Added weathertech floor mats to match interior. Only issue is radio (sound and presets are acting wonky). Dealer is waiting for new radio to come in (backordered). Spreading a wide net for a good deal. Dealer added nav, wheel group, inflatable spare, tow group, locking lugs. First minivan. First Chrysler. No problems. Ten days in. washed it already. Seen 33mph on freeway.

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  Great little car. - 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By w.r.vesely - May 28 - 10:00 am

  This car is just right for a working man with tools.

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  Pride of Ownership - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Anemone - May 28 - 10:00 am

  We just purchsed a AWD Pacifica, and we get wondeful comments from everyone we see. Some have never seen it, most have admired it, something that never happened with our Previous car a Honda Accord. Sitting in this car makes you feel like a million bucks, without spending it.