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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  affordable performance - 2004 Chrysler Crossfire
  By 2dmaxx - July 28 - 2:00 am

  Here is a car that can be very suprising when the go pedal is mashed.I have taken on a few very surprised so called super cars and made them eat my dust and they all wondered what the heck is under the hood. This auto has got to be one of the best sleepers around there has not been any car that has been able to stay with me in a slalom, but you can pay thousands more if you want to compete.

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  A great sports car - 2005 Chrysler Crossfire
  By gregtwelve - July 27 - 12:22 pm

  I bought this car 2 years old with 3000 miles on it for half of the sticker. I was looking at used corvettes. I couldnt be more pleased with the purchase. It out accelerates 99% of the all cars on the road, looks incredible and gets decent gas mileage. I would have preferred a manual transmission but the Mercedes 5 speed tap shift auto is excellent. Handles great. Only downside is a stiff ride over bad pavement. As long as the road is decent it is not an issue. I plan to keep it a long time. I have yet to see another Crossfire srt-6 in over a year of ownership, and have only seen a total of 2 or 3 Crossfires on the road in that time. I love that exclusiveness.

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  I love it! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Evelyn Griffith - July 26 - 11:53 am

  I love the looks of it! It is a very stylist vehicle--the finest. You know it is a good quality car that you will be able to keep for a long time. It is a roomy interior car, with ample leg room for even tall people, like myself.

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  I love my cruiser - 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By alba - July 23 - 7:43 pm

  People still stop to admire it, ask about its performance and tell me how beautiful and classy it is. I recently drove in the worst snowstorm of the year because I live an hour from the railroad station and the storm was not supposed to start so early. Traction was excellent, ABS worked beautifully. I had one unavoidable spinout and lived to tell about it...was able to stop; bothcar and I were unscathed. No less safe than my AWD vehicle was in similar circumstances. My only complaint is limited visibility at top of windshield. I have to maneuver a bit to see overhead traffic signals. e r p s t a e s room available in the back, and no "cage" is re

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  Class and room - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By Pack fan - July 23 - 3:52 pm

  I recently purchased my first Pacifica and love it. There is room like a van but stability like a sedan. Everything is at your fingertips and I average over 21 MPG. Storage is phenomenal and the ease of getting in and out helps when going anywhere with my dad. Everyone is impressed with its stylish look and the stereo rocks

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  love it - 2006 Chrysler 300
  By Rodgers - July 23 - 1:20 pm

  I love this car, also its a great looking car, went on vacation with it this summer and it was very comfortable, and reliable. only complaint would be the tires, sort of noisely on the highway. but over all its great.

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  My Favorite Car - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By NancyL - July 23 - 10:00 am

  Ever since seeing the first PT Cruisers in 2000, I wanted one. Now, as of June 2003, I have one and I love it! My buying experience was great. I e-mailed the dealership and told the rep what I wanted. They found me an excellent used vehicle with low miles, and added an alarm plus a sunroof. This is the most comfortable car Ive ever driven. I love sitting higher and seeing better. I love the convenient interior and dash. I love the hatchback and seats that fold to accommodate large items. This is a well-made auto and so stylish. This is the most fun Ive ever had driving!

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  What a nice surprise - 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
  By David - July 22 - 11:19 pm

  I had to get a car for a new sales job where I travel daily. Needed more room for people, and displays. I traded in my Lexus which I just loved, I never thought that the Pacifica could ever compare with the Lexus. Was I surprised. I got a 2007 touring model with the 4.0 and 6 speed trans. This is by far the quietest, nicest riding, comfortable car I have ever owned. The stock stereo with Sirius satellite is unbelievable with a pounding bass and clear sound even at high levels. The ride rivals that of the finest European cars. ( I have owned BMW and Lexus prior). The 4.0 has plenty of get up and go and very fun to drive. Love the interior and get plenty of compliments on the styling.Love it

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  Dream come true - 2008 Chrysler 300
  By 300 Dream - July 22 - 6:17 pm

  I saw the 2005 300 and knew THAT was a car. Once they offered lifetime warranty I felt it was time to get that dream car before they re-design it. I got the Touring V6 as I do not need a Hemi to say I have arrived, or for the thrill of it. I have taken two long trips already and find the car very comfortable and economical. I get around 18 around town and up to 28 on the highway. The AWD is a must in Alaska. Knowing that it has the E-class suspension and 4-matic transmission is very comforting. I hear people think the interior is lacking, but I guess after 5 years of big Ford trucks, it seems quite plush to me. I did get some upgrades that included extra airbags and the blue tooth.

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  Great Car! - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By Hemi Heavy - July 22 - 9:02 am

  Purchased my 300c Used with 72,000 miles. It looks and drives like a brand new car. No clunky noises, squeaks or groans. Even who rides in it thinks its a brand new car. The ride beats and 5-Series BMW out there. Very happy with this purchase. I would recommend driving this before committing to a higher priced "luxury" car.