Chevy vs Chrysler: Which Is More Reliable?
May 25, 2023
I am a serial entrepreneur and a consumer advocate. When I’m not helping car buyers, I love working on ventures that have a positive impact.
I run a cause marketing agency and serve on the board of Vayu Global Health where we are disrupting the medical industry and preventing the needless deaths of mothers and babies during childbirth.
Car buyers should compare the reliability of a car before buying one. This will give you a broad understanding of what to expect in terms of the overall performance and durability of the car brand.
Chevy and Chrysler are both American car brands. While it is expected that they adopt American engineering standards, their standards of reliability greatly differ.
Overall, Chevy is more reliable than Chrysler. Chevy's greater reliability compared to Chrysler doesn't even drive down to the engine performance of these cars.
Chryslers are built cheap, with poor build quality. There's a high chance that you'll end up buying crap. Most times, the shocks are cheaply-made, poorly constructed parts. These cars are either battling with rust or frequent breakdowns.
Although Chrysler has improved its reliability, there aren't many indications that they've learnt to do things better than Chevy.
Are you scared, already? Read on to find out all you need to know about Chevy vs Chrysler reliability.
Table of Contents
Chevy vs Chrysler Reliability: A Detailed Comparison
Features | Chevy | Chrysler |
Design | ||
Engine Performance | ||
Safety | ||
Repair and maintenance cost | ||
Technology | ||
Good | ||
Durability |
Chevy vs Chrysler Reliability: Which is better?
Chryslers aren't as bad as they sound at first. It's true that they are known for building cheaply made cars, with poor engineering principles. Even so, there are a few things that you can admire about them.
Chrysler vehicles have cheaper repair and maintenance costs than Chevys. But, their problematic design might have you visiting the repair shop regularly.
According to Repairpal, Chrysler has a reliability rating of 3.5/5.0, ranking 11th out of 32 car brands. This is better than Chevy which ranks 20th out of 36 car brands, even though it has the same 3.5 reliability rating.
Chevrolet, commonly referred to as Chevy, is an American car brand that was founded in 1911. Today, Chevy is one of the largest car manufacturers in the world and is known for producing a wide range of vehicles, from small cars to pickup trucks and SUVs.
Chevy has a reputation for producing cars that are durable and long-lasting. According to J.D. Power's 2021 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, Chevy ranked third in overall dependability among all car brands, with an average score of 136 problems per 100 vehicles. The 2022 JD Power dependability survey ranks Chevy above Chrysler. Chevy assumes the 10th most dependable car brand with 171 problems per 100 vehicles.
However, Chrysler battles below the industry average, just six places above the last car brand in terms of dependability.
On the consumer reports 2022 reliability survey, Chevy assumes the 20th position while Chrysler is nowhere to be found on the list.
To get a proper understanding of the reliability of Chrysler and Chevy, we'll need to compare the features of both car brands. Engine performance and gas mileage are almost the same on both brands. Both brands have similar warranty coverage, but Chevy is more durable.
Chevy offers 3-year/36,000 miles basic warranty coverage, and a 5-year/60,000 powertrain warranty coverage. This includes a 5-year/100,000 miles for diesel powertrain on both brands.
Additionally, Chevy has a higher resale value than Chrysler.
Chevy vs Chrysler Reliability: Design
Chrysler and Chevy are both American brands. Although they both have a reputation for producing stylish designs, their design philosophies greatly differ.
Chrysler adopts a dynamic design philosophy that features multiple different concepts. From the Chrysler Portal concept to the airflow concept, there's a dynamic move to advance car production and improve mobility.
Chrysler's designs prioritize comfort and functionality. It focuses on giving families enough seating, space, and storage to lead them through each journey.
The Chrysler brand emphasizes the need to turn ingenious ideas into reality with aerodynamic designs. This entire process captures the user experience, and engine mechanics, to ensure that your driving experience is more than just moving from point A to B.
Chevy prioritizes safety, quality, and innovation. It offers advanced protection technology on these cars, enough to keep your family safe.
However, when it comes to cargo space, headroom, and legroom, there isn't any fundamental rule that Chevy is bigger than Chrysler or vice versa. The overall size of the cars in these brands depends on the model that you choose.
The reliability of the brand designs also depends on your choice and preferences. Although we advise that you apply extra caution when choosing older Chrysler models.
Winner: Both
Chevy vs Chrysler Reliability: Engine and Performance
It's a tie for Chevy and Chrysler when it comes to engine and performance. In some cases, you are getting better engine power from Chevy vehicles, in other cases, it’s better on Chrysler.
Here's a comparison of Chevy vs Chrysler engines and their performance:
The 2023 Chrysler 300 gets an engine power of 485 hp while the 2023 Chevy Silverado 1500 gets 310 hp.
The 2022 Chrysler 300 gets 292 horsepower while the 2022 Chevy Camaro gets 275 hp. However, Chevy beats Chrysler with the 2023 Chevy Suburban. It gets 420 hp while the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica has 260 hp.
The Chevy Silverado gets 310 hp while the Chrysler 300 gets 292 hp. The 2017 Chrysler 200 wins the 2017 Chevy Cruze with 295 hp as against the Chevy which has 153 hp.
Regardless of the power comparisons between these brands, there are worries about the reliability of their engines. Chevy has battled with transmission issues in the past, but their engines have a longer durability span than Chrysler's.
Both car engines can last up to 200,000 miles. But you wouldn't expect Chevy’s engines to encounter as many problems as Chrysler's will after 100,000 miles.
Winner: Both
Chevy vs Chrysler Reliability: Gas Mileage
In terms of gas mileage, both brands offer similar fuel economy. The differences lie in the model that you choose.
Let's compare a few Chevy and Chrysler models and their gas mileage.
The Chrysler 300 returns a gas mileage of 15/24 mpg for city and highway, while the Chevy Silverado 1500 gets 21/24 mpg. In the 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Vs 2022 Chevrolet Suburban gas mileage comparison, Chrysler wins. You get 17/28 mpg on the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica and 14/20 on the Chevy car.
Winner: Both
Chevy vs Chrysler Reliability: Safety and Technology
When it comes to safety and technology Chevy and Chrysler offer similar standards. Both brands have only one vehicle earning the IIHS Safety Pick (+) award.
Keep in mind that having the same number of vehicles with the IIHS safety ratings doesn't imply that their safety standards are the same.
Chevy and Chrysler invest heavily in safety and technology, but their safety systems are greatly different.
Here's an overview of Chevy's safety system:
- Forward collision alert & automatic emergency braking
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Front pedestrian braking
- Rear Vision Camera
- Lane keep assist with lane departure warning
- High-definition surround vision
- Following distance indicator
- Rear Camera Mirror
- Rear Park Assist
- Lane Change Alert with side blind zone alert
- Rear cross-traffic alert
Here's an overview of Chrysler's safety system:
- Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning with Active Braking
- Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go (ACC+)
- Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking
- LaneSense® Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist
- Blind Spot Monitoring System
- ParkSense® Rear Park Assist
- Rear Cross Path Detection
Note that the availability of these technologies depends on the model and trim level that you choose.
In terms of technology, you are getting amazing systems on Chevy and Chrysler. From touch screens, Wi-Fi connectivity, advanced sound systems, and navigation systems, you can count on great safety and technology features.
Winner: Both
Chevy vs Chrysler Reliability: Repair and Maintenance Costs
There are slight discrepancies in the repair and maintenance costs of Chevy and Chrysler.
According to RepairPal, Chevy has an average annual cost of $649. This is slightly higher compared to Chrysler which gets $608. If we're to go with what the survey says, then it's justifiable to say that Chryslers are cheaper to repair and maintain than Chevys.
You might often visit a mechanic, only to find out that Chryslers aren't as cheap to maintain as the surveys made them seem.
This doesn't mean that labor costs are expensive for Chryslers. It's just that you might have more frequent reasons to visit the repair shop with a Chrysler than you will do with a Chevy.
Winner: Chrysler
Conclusion
There are fairly minor differences in the performance, gas mileage, and design of Chrysler and Chevy. But one of the major differences between the reliability of Chrysler and Chevy is in how durable their cars are.
Chrysler's inconsistent reliability poses some challenges for car buyers. Compare models of both brands to decide which one is the best for you.
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