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25 Cars & Trucks That Saved Chrysler From Extinction

Cameron Eittreim November 5, 2019

Three big automakers have dominated the domestic auto market for decades. When you think of a well-known carmaker, not many come to mind faster than the Chrysler Corporation. The company is responsible for the Jeep brand as well as the legendary Dodge brand. But there has been more than one occasion where the carmaker has been on the verge of going out of business. The company has been through quite a few acquisitions and mergers. To this day, certain Chrysler products are vastly outdated. But the company has one of the most powerful muscle cars on the road today in the Challenger.

Although the company has recently had a massive hit in the Pacifica minivan, the company needs a savior soon. We have to wonder what the future holds for Chrysler as other car companies struggle to keep up with an ever-changing technological landscape. Time and time again, the company has managed to come up with a hit such as the K-Cars of the 80s and the massive success of the Chrysler 300C during the early 2000s. Chrysler products are generally a step behind the competition and the company is going to need to turn things around soon here. We took a look back at some of the biggest hits that saved the company from going belly up over the past few decades via Hagerty.

25. Dodge Neon

During the 90s, compact cars still held a heavy portion of the overall automotive marketplace. Chrysler was still selling the K-Car based Dodge Shadow and Plymouth Horizon models. Consumers were ready for something different in a compact car and the Neon was a completely new design. One of the main drawbacks of a compact car around this period was its complete lack of performance. So Dodge upped and ante and added the R/T package to the Neon.

From the white paint and the blue racing stripes to the DOHC inline-four cylinder engine, the Neon was not your average compact car. The Neon was released at a time when Chrysler was attempting to revamp the Dodge and Plymouth brand images. Cab-forward design was still a fairly new thing and cars were just beginning to leave the age of boxiness. The Neon was one of the best-selling cars that Chrysler has ever produced. To this day, you still see droves of Neons on the highways, and that’s a testament to the longevity of the car.

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24. Dodge Omni

Compact cars were in high demand during the late 70s, and a big part of this was because of the fuel crisis. Gas-efficient cars were the future and the imports from Japan were hogging up the marketplace. The Omni was developed as a way for Chrysler to enter the compact car market with a comparable vehicle. What made the Omni unique was its hatchback design and potent powertrain. There was even a Shelby edition of the Omni that featured a rally car design. Overall, the Omni was far ahead of its time in terms of interior design and features.

The Omni was one of the earliest versions of a crossover vehicle. The interior was roomy enough for a family of four and there was plenty of cargo space for those weekend trips. Design-wise, the Omni was a step in a new direction for Chrysler at a time when the cars on the road were very large and inefficient. Chrysler was looking to attract a younger demographic with the Omni and therefore the car managed to attract buyers from all facets of life.

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23. Dodge Dakota

Midsize pickup trucks are one of the hottest segments in the automotive industry now. But there was a time when you could only get a full-size or compact pickup truck. Chrysler saw that there was a need in the marketplace for a midsize truck that would offer full-size power. The Dakota came out of the factory with a V8 engine, giving the midsize truck the most power of any compact truck on the market. Buyers were immediately intrigued and the Dakota sold very well over the next few decades.

The Dakota proved to be a defining moment for Chrysler because the Dodge truck lineup had become stale and outdated. New competition from GM and Ford was bringing more modern pickup trucks that drove better and offered a plethora of features more than Dodge trucks did. Before the Dakota, there was only the Mitsubishi-derived Ram 50. The Dakota brought a whole new segment of a pickup truck that has lasted to this day. There’s no doubt the Dakota brought new life into Chrysler showrooms.

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22. Plymouth Prowler

By the 90s, the Plymouth brand had become a shadow of its former self. There was a time when Plymouth was a full-featured car company, but Chrysler stopped putting any effort into Plymouth products. One would assume that Plymouth had become a budget-oriented brand for the company. The Prowler was the first of two retro-themed cars that were going to be developed for the Plymouth brand, the other being the PT Cruiser. While the Prowler was not a true sports car in any sense of the word, it did get people talking again.

Under the hood of the prowler is the same V6 engine that you’d find in a Dodge Intrepid or other large Chrysler sedan. But the exterior styling of the Prowler was so unique that it still garners attention to this day. Indeed, the Prowler was the first modern roadster. Everything about the Prowler screamed unique, so there was no denying that it was a Chrysler. Toward the end of the Prowler’s lifecycle, there were subtle changes. There was even a unique tow behind trailer that you could order that matched the car. All in all, the Prowler was a unique piece of Chrysler history that still looks great to this day.

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21. Dodge Ram 1994-2002

The walls were closing in on the Ram brand at the end of the 80s. The line of trucks was far outclassed by the end of the decade. Thus, Chrysler had to do something new and innovative with the truck to reinvigorate sales. The introduction of the 1993 Dodge Ram brought a new and modern pickup truck that was bigger and more comfortable than ever. Notable features included rear access doors and a more modern interior. At the time, the Ram was one of the nicest full-size trucks you could get.

The big rig styling proved to be so popular that Dodge has kept it to this day. As the years went on, there were a few special edition models such as the Shelby and the SS/T. This version of the Ram couldn’t have come at a better time because sales of trucks and SUVs were at an all-time high. Before the release of this truck, the Ram brand had fallen out of favor and buyers were flocking to Ford and GM showrooms. There’s no doubt that this generation of the Ram was responsible for bringing Chrysler back into profitability.

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20. PT Cruiser

There’s a car that hit the market at the dawn of the new millennium that changed the game. The PT Cruiser was part of a two-car set that included the Prowler. Both cars were developed to bring some life back into Plymouth showrooms. The brand was being positioned as a retro-themed car company similar to the Volkswagen New Beetle at the time. Chrysler decided to ax the Plymouth division for the 2001 model year and the PT Cruiser went on as a Chrysler. At one point in time, the PT Cruiser was the hottest-selling car on the market. There were droves of car clubs dedicated to customizing these things.

There was everything from wood-trimmed body panels to PT Cruiser performance clubs. As time went on and reliability issues began to mount the PT Cruiser started to lose market share. A turbo convertible version of the car was released in 2004, but even this wasn’t enough to save the PT. For a brief time, the PT Cruiser brought Chrysler back into the limelight with some much-needed positive press coverage. The car was a breath of fresh air in a world where trucks and SUV models were dominating the marketplace. The PT Cruiser will go down as one of the most influential Chryslers.

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Dodge Challenger va Motor Trend — Dodge Challenger via Motor Trend

19. Dodge Challenger

When the 2010 Camaro hit the market, the automotive press was awestruck. The Camaro had been phased out in 2002 and there was a huge market for pony cars. For a brief period, the Mustang was the only contender left on the market. Then the Dodge Challenger hit the scene. This was at a time when Chrysler lots were becoming stale and the cars were unexciting. The Dodge Charger sedan was past its prime and the Caravan was being retooled. The Challenger was everything that Mopar fans had been hoping for. It boasted a powerful Hemi V8 engine and a unique retro-themed design that looked like nothing else.

To this day, the Challenger remains one of the best-selling Chryslers. There have been countless new body styles such as the Demon. When you think of new muscle cars that define their path, the Challenger is one. The muscle car is not as light as the competition and a lot of the features are outdated. But when it comes to sheer power and performance, the Dodge Challenger is in a league of its own. The Challenger continues to be a strong contender in the pony car race and we have to wonder what the future holds.

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18. Chrysler 300C

If you wanted a Chrysler sedan in the early 2000s you had a choice between the LHS, 300M and the Sebring. The problem with these cars is that they had no style whatsoever. The cab-forward design that had made these cars famous in the 90s had lost its luster. Chrysler needed to do something big to win people back into their showrooms, and the 300C was that answer. The 300C is arguably one of the most popular sedans to ever roll off of a Chrysler production line. You see these everywhere, even after all this time. Consumers were in love with the baby Rolls Royce styling and the ease of modification.

Another strong selling point for the 300C was the addition of the Hemi V8 engine, a Chrysler standard now. The Hemi gave the sedan enough performance to maneuver around town with authority. In a lot of ways, the 300C was perhaps the most revolutionary sedan to come out of the new millennium. It pushed the boundaries for modern design and presented us with a bold American sedan that could handle business on the track or at the grocery store. To this day the 300C continues to be one of the best-selling cars on the road.

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17. Chrysler Town & Country

While the Town and Country name has been around since the 90s as a luxury minivan, the car that we are referring to is much older. The Town and Country was manufactured from 1941 to 1988. It is one of the longest continuously produced vehicles on the road. The wagon was the quintessential family car long before the crossover vehicle or the minivan was even a thought. The wagon was an eight-passenger vehicle that could go just about everywhere. In the 1940s, this was a big thing to be able to transport that many people at once.

Consumers were intrigued by the jetliner styling and the abundance of standard features. The Town and Country was also one of the first vehicles to feature air conditioning. This was a first for a car back then. Later years brought various renditions of the Town and Country such as a convertible model. The nameplate had such brand recognition that Chrysler eventually reused it on their minivan models for another two decades. When you look back at the Chrysler lineup there is no doubt that the Town and Country is among one of the most popular vehicles on the road.

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16. Shelby CSX

During the late 80s and early 90s, Chrysler had just avoided near demise with the introduction of the K-Car platform. Yet performance-wise, the company didn’t have anything exciting on the road at the moment. Thus, automotive legend Carroll Shelby was brought into the mix to give his two cents on a new car. The Shelby CSX was born, an unusual pairing of a cheap compact car and a performance company. The CSX was based on the Shadow and Sundance compact cars. Take one look at the car and you’ll know there is something special about it.

The intercooler turbocharged engine gave the lightweight car an immense amount of performance. You won’t find performance this great in a lot of the Chrysler cars from this period. The CSX was something different both in terms of design and functionality. Chrysler needed a performance car to attract younger buyers and this was it. Saleswise, the CSX didn’t do very well on the open market. But when it comes down to it, the CSX is perhaps one of the most unique Chryslers to have hit the market. It was also gas efficient.

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15. Dodge Coronet

The Mustang gets all the credit with being the original pony car. But it was a Chrysler vehicle that was the first pony car. The Dodge Coronet was a two-door coupe that packed a fair amount of performance into a lightweight package. The Coronet is not as widely known as the Charger because it was never widely featured on many hit television shows. But if you wanted a lightweight sports car that could handle business, the Coronet was it. The unique styling cues gave the car a one-of-a-kind look that still appeals to this day.

Styling-wise the Coronet featured timeless looks that showed off the car’s design. The interior was far bigger than other sports cars at the time. The marketplace was not as saturated as it is today and the Coronet was one of few performers. The rear-wheel-drive design still proved to be quite effective at propelling the car around the race track or on city streets. The Coronet was later replaced by the Charger, which gained mainstream fame for its role on the Dukes of Hazzard. But the Coronet will still go down as the original race car.

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14. Dodge Viper

The Viper proudly holds the title as the world’s first domestic supercar. When Dodge was trying to revamp the brand’s image during the 90s, there was a need for a sports car that could compete with the Corvette. Mopar, Chrysler’s in-house performance division, went all-out and created a 500 HP monster that could take on even the best from Germany. The Viper was a work of art, from its unique design to its jaw-dropping power. To this day, there is still not a sports car that was as groundbreaking as the Viper.

Early incarnations of the Viper were very barebones sports cars. As the years progressed, the Viper turned into more of an exotic with enhancements to the interior. But underneath all the beauty, the Viper is still a serious competition car. The powerful V10 engine is one of the most advanced to come out of Chrysler. While other sports cars can produce a comparable experience with less power the Viper is in its class. If you forgot that Chrysler existed, your memory will be back to reality as soon as you see a Viper.

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13. 2002 Dodge Ram

By the early 2000s, the market for pickup trucks and SUVs was hotter than ever. Everyone had to have a large vehicle, even if they never utilized it for more than grocery shopping. The offerings from Chrysler were becoming stale in comparison to new trucks from GM and Ford and thus, it was time for another redesign. The 2002 Ram broke the mold for what a modern truck should be. It offered a modern-looking exterior and a refreshing array of standard features such as heated seats and navigation system. 2005 brought the arrival of the Hemi V8, and Ram sales skyrocketed from there.

In some ways, 2002 was the most refreshing new pickup truck to enter the segment in years. There were also a few special editions of the Ram such as the Daytona and the Rumble Bee. The Ram continued to innovate in a segment where automakers tend to become content. If you want to look at a vehicle that truly put Chrysler back on the map, the 2002 incarnation of the Dodge Ram was it.

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12. Dodge Caravan / Plymouth Voyager

If the K-Car is responsible for saving Chrysler as a whole, the minivan is responsible for revolutionizing the family car segment. Before the minivan, there was a choice between the large family sedan and the station wagon. Chrysler saw a need for a vehicle that could slot in between both of these, and thus, the minivan was born. The minivan was a pleasant mix of passenger space and functionality. The consumers ate the new minivan up and it became an instantly popular piece of automotive history.

Chrysler minivans were often duplicated after their initial success. GM and Ford both rushed similar vans to the public but the Chrysler models prevailed. The combination of easy to repair drivetrains and functional interiors helped the vans to become a staple of the American family. Naturally, there were drawbacks to the minivan trio early on, but Chrysler perfected them as time went on. To this day, there has not been another type of automobile that has been as revolutionary as the minivan was to the industry.

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11. Dodge Ram SRT-10

There have been a lot of revolutionary vehicles to hit Dodge showrooms in the past few decades. One vehicle is more memorable than the rest, the SRT-10. For the company to create a Viper-powered truck was ahead of its time. Even though the Ford Lightning and Silverado SS were on the market at the time, the SRT-10 was a whole new breed of sports truck. The Viper-derived engine delivered 500 Horsepower, the same power found under the hood of the popular sports car.

What made the SRT-10 unique was the fact that it was available in a quad cab or single cab. When you think about a memorable truck the SRT-10 was a groundbreaking new product for Chrysler. The newly-designed Dodge Ram had been on the market for some time and brought the best of both worlds into the pickup truck. Sports car buyers were attracted to the sheer power of the Viper engine and the functionality of a pickup truck. The SRT-10 was produced for many years until the next generation of Ram hit the market.

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10. Dodge Intrepid and Chrysler LH Sedans

Toward the end of the 90s, there was an influx of box-shaped vehicles on the road. The Chrysler LH series sedans broke the mold in terms of design and functionality with the “Cab Forward” design. What Chrysler did with these large sedans was a first for the automotive industry and it gave us the future that we have today. The Intrepid, for example, was an important car for the Dodge lineup because it was more advanced than the offerings from Japan at the time. You’ve probably not noticed it, but earlier examples of the Accord and Camry were both boxy vehicles.

The initial offerings from Chrysler were roomier thanks to the cab-forward design. In addition to the roomier interior design, there was also the addition of a powerful V6 engine. As time went on there were special editions of the LH series such as the Intrepid R/T. The R/T was an important player in the NASCAR circuit for Dodge and it brought consumers a comparable American built family sedan that offered a good amount of interior space for the price. To this day, the Intrepid was one of the most popular Chrysler sedans to have hit the market.

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9. Chrysler Six

Although the Model T gets all of the credit for being one of the first mass-produced automobiles on the market, the Chrysler Six was another revolutionary sedan that took the world by storm as well. What the Six offered that was cool was a large and roomy interior, as well as one of the most functional engines at the time. The reasoning behind the name was the fact that the car featured a high output six-cylinder engine. It gave the car an immense amount of power for the time, which propelled the vehicle to 70 MPH.

In addition to the mesmerizing performances for the period, the Six had one of the most functional interiors of the time. Cars around this period were still evolving from the horse and buggy days, so naturally, the Six was ahead of its class in terms of design and functionality. To this day, the Six is one of the most influential cars that hit the road. It offered buyers a true competitor to the Model T that offered more power and a more refined interior. The Chrysler Six is one of the true cars that put Chrysler on the map.

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8. Chrysler Airflow

Chrysler has always been an innovative company, from time to time creating cars that push the boundaries of design. The Airflow was a modern-looking car that looked to push the elements of design for the era. At the time, cars were not very aerodynamic and the Airflow was a car that would push the boundaries of design a lot further. The Airflow was designed to look like an aircraft and it worked. The interior followed this newfound design philosophy by creating a modern car.

The interior and exterior designs made the car far more aerodynamic than any other vehicle on the road. The design also gave the car a much roomier interior in terms of cargo space. You might think that the earliest design looked like a Suburban in some ways. The handling and ride quality was top notch for the time and the power plant was one of the best to come out of Chrysler. Unfortunately, the Airflow never really took off in the way that other Chrysler cars had and thus, the vehicle is a piece of automotive history.

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7. 1955 Chrysler 300

The Chrysler 300 nameplate is one of the oldest nameplates in the company’s history. The performance was the intended focus of the 300, and the car featured one of the first examples of a Hemi power plant. The car managed to hit a top speed of 130 MPH at the Daytona races and the racing world began to notice. The 300 was responsible for winning 27 races in the early days of the NASCAR circuit and this was big news back then. It wasn’t a pony car, but the Chrysler 300 was a seriously fun car to drive.

In addition to performance, the art deco design gave the car a unique look that was hard to compare to. Interior-wise the lines were nice and smooth and situated throughout the car. Take the smooth chrome lines that go up the sides of the sedan, they give a wonderful unique look that is hard to compare. Even by today’s standards the Chrysler 300 was a revolutionary looking sedan that combines a modern look and performance. The 300 was a pinnacle of American design and functionality.

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6. Dodge Durango

The SUV boom was revolutionary to the automotive industry because it was the single biggest shift in consumer buying habits. The SUV boom showed the world that consumers were hungry for off-road capable vehicles that could seat the whole family. The problem with the earliest examples of SUVs is that they were either too small or too big. If you wanted something in the middle, your only real choice would seat five people. Chrysler saw a need for seven-passenger seating in a mid-size SUV and created the Durango.

The original Durango was a step above the competition. It featured a full-size interior and seating for seven complete with V8 power. The SUV was a hit with consumers and quickly became one of the most popular Chryslers on the road. The Durango took all of the positive attributes of other popular SUV models that were on the road and incorporated them into one unique design. To this day, the Durango remains a popular addition to the Chrysler lineup, offering a pleasant mix of design and functionality.

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5. Jeep Grand Cherokee

Perhaps there isn’t one car that’s responsible for igniting a segment like the Jeep Grand Cherokee is. This SUV was the first actual luxury SUV to hit the market. Automotive journalists didn’t know what to think of it at first, and naturally, the vehicle was a bit of an overstatement. But the final result was a smooth-riding SUV that offered a plethora of standard features and a handsome exterior. In fact, the design of the Grand Cherokee was so influential that it provoked Chrysler to purchase the entire AMC car company.

As the years went on, the Grand Cherokee offered new and innovative features such as a Hemi V8 engine and a unique design. The Grand Cherokee was a first for Chrysler in that it combined V8 power with a luxurious interior. When you pulled up to an event in the Jeep Grand Cherokee, people could tell that you have arrived. To this day the luxury SUV segment is one of the most important parts of the automotive industry. We have to thank the Grand Cherokee for innovating a segment that up to that point hadn’t seen a luxury SUV.

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4. Chrysler Sebring Convertible

Like it or hate it, the Sebring Convertible is one of the most influential cars you probably don’t know about. The Mazda Miata innovated the automotive world by offering a compact and fuel-efficient roadster that just about anyone could buy. But the problem with the Miata was the lack of a functional backseat. Thus the Sebring was brought into existence to offer a car that was much more versatile and feasible for people to drive. Chrysler found a sport in the market for a large comfortable convertible and went for it.

The Sebring was a bit of a luxury car mixed with the sportiness of a roadster. Chrysler has sold millions of the Sebring convertible. The car just seemed to get better as time went on and there was a solid market for it. There were lesser-known versions of the car such as a sedan and coupe that came around. But these cars failed in comparison to the uniqueness that was the Sebring convertible. Although the vehicle is no longer in production, there was a period when the Sebring dominated the convertible market.

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3. Neon SRT

Performance cars have always been a strong suit in the Chrysler portfolio. And the company was hot on the heels of the market at the turn of the millennium. One such car that created a new opportunity for Chrysler was the lightweight Neon. The platform which was one of the company’s best-selling cars offered an excellent base for a turbocharged vehicle. The Neon SRT was known for its bright yellow paint job and powerful engine. The automotive press praised the car for its wonderful driving characteristics.

The SRT was a step above your average run-of-the-mill Neon, and it offered a unique blend of functionality and performance. Driving the SRT instantly left a smile on your face. and if you haven’t had a chance to drive one, you are missing out. The naturally spirited performance gave the car an edge against other competitors that were thousands more. The SRT is still a popular choice for a used car that offers fun-to-drive characteristics.

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2. Dodge Ram Mega Cab

During the mid-2000s, the pickup truck market was better than ever in terms of sales. But Chrysler saw a need for consumers who relied on their trucks for passenger transport as well. Thus the Mega Cab was born, a truck that featured an increasingly long cabin. The Mega Cab had the largest interior cab of any pickup truck on the market even to this day. With all of this space, you can transport passengers with ease, and that’s exactly what made the Mega Cab a popular choice.

The truck was available in a heavy-duty chassis, which meant that it was the perfect choice for tradesmen who needed a larger truck to get work done. The truck was not obscene-looking and still featured all of the things that made the Ram a popular choice. But in the long run, the Mega Cab was a more viable option for people who needed a bigger truck that could haul more people around. When you think of a popular pickup truck that will give you plenty of room to work with, the Mega Cab is a standout choice.

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1. Chrysler Pacifica

Toward the end of the 2000s, the Chrysler product line was becoming a bit stale. The brand needed something to reinvigorate sales again. So the company went back to the one thing that saved it before, the minivan. The Pacifica has become one of the hottest-selling vehicles on the market. The innovative design is ahead of its class in terms of a minivan and it proved to be a hit with consumers. The Pacifica is a step in the right direction for Chrysler as the Dodge Grand Caravan has become quite outdated.

Even if you don’t like minivans, you have to give the Pacifica respect. The interior is full of all kinds of innovative features such as a built-in vacuum cleaner and stow-n-go seating. The overall design of the van is perfect for anyone who needs a good deal of interior space. The exterior styling is nice and smooth with plenty of lines and curves. The Pacifica has put the company back on the map with a stellar and innovative product.

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25 Cars & Trucks That Saved Chrysler From Extinction

25. Dodge Neon

24. Dodge Omni

23. Dodge Dakota

22. Plymouth Prowler

21. Dodge Ram 1994-2002

20. PT Cruiser

19. Dodge Challenger

18. Chrysler 300C

17. Chrysler Town & Country

16. Shelby CSX

15. Dodge Coronet

14. Dodge Viper

13. 2002 Dodge Ram

12. Dodge Caravan / Plymouth Voyager

11. Dodge Ram SRT-10

10. Dodge Intrepid and Chrysler LH Sedans

9. Chrysler Six

8. Chrysler Airflow

7. 1955 Chrysler 300

6. Dodge Durango

5. Jeep Grand Cherokee

4. Chrysler Sebring Convertible

3. Neon SRT

2. Dodge Ram Mega Cab

1. Chrysler Pacifica

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