Overview & Reviews

One of America's most storied automotive brands, Dodge has been around since the early days of the auto industry. In the past couple of decades, it has revitalized itself to be a producer of aggressively styled and performance-oriented vehicles.

Two brothers, Horace and John Dodge, began the Dodge Brothers Motor Vehicle company in 1914, after having worked as manufacturers of bicycles and automotive parts. Their first vehicle was a touring car that proved a fast favorite with car buyers; it was soon joined by a roadster and a four-door sedan. By 1917, the company's model line had grown to include trucks. Dodge cars and trucks were used as staff vehicles and ambulances in World War I.

Dodge was briefly owned by a banking firm and subsequently sold by its new owner to the Chrysler Corporation in 1928. From there, the brand slowly evolved into the division responsible for trucks and performance-oriented cars. Post WWII, Dodge introduced vehicles like the military-inspired Power Wagon truck, Hemi-powered Coronet and the Royal Lancer; in addition, the manufacturer began offering dealer-installed air-conditioning.

Vehicles like the Dodge Dart and the Coronet kept the manufacturer in American driveways throughout the 1960s. That decade also saw the launch of one of Dodge's most iconic vehicles, the Charger. Dodge's muscle car was based on the Coronet platform, and featured a fastback roof line, hidden headlamps and a full-width taillamp panel. Best of all, the Charger could pack one heck of a wallop under the hood. A 318-cubic-inch V8 was standard, but buyers seeking maximum brawn could upgrade to a 426-cubic-inch, 425-hp Hemi V8. The company also introduced a Mustang-fighting pony car, called the Challenger, in 1970.

As with other American auto manufacturers, Dodge's fortunes started to slip in the '70s due to changing tastes and increased competition. The company was saved from extinction in the early '80s thanks to government loans and the sales success of its Omni and Aries economy cars (the former an attempted copy of the VW Rabbit). But 1984 was when Dodge made its mark in the history books with the introduction of the wildly popular Caravan. Ideal for families and able to seat up to seven, the space-efficient Caravan started a whole new vehicle segment -- the minivan.

The early '90s saw the company wow the public with the V10-powered Viper roadster and an all-new Ram pickup that set a new standard for big-rig-like styling. A few years later, Dodge came to be part of DaimlerChrysler, a result of the merger of the German company Daimler (owner of Mercedes-Benz) and Chrysler.

The merger never really worked, however, and Daimler sold Chrysler and Dodge to a private equity firm in 2007. Soon after, America's economy slid into recession. Due to poor sales and debt, Chrysler had to declare bankruptcy. The federal government intervened and eventually Dodge came under control of Fiat, a European automaker known for its small cars, an area where Dodge's entries had been roundly criticized for mediocre build quality and unrefined performance.

More recent years have seen Dodge concentrate on the more practical vehicles in its lineup, making notable improvements to the performance and overall quality of its midsize Avenger sedan and Journey SUV entries. Dodge also spun off its truck line, making it a separate Ram brand. But make no mistake; Dodge is still considered Chrysler's performance division thanks to cars like the Challenger and Charger. Time will tell how successful Dodge's latest makeover is.

User Reviews:

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  2005 Dodge Neon SXT - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By Eliot Andreu - October 4 - 4:55 pm

  I have a 2005 Dodge Neon SXT with 158,000 miles and it runs, drives, and performs great. I sold my last one which was a 2003 with 102,000 miles and it was an excellent car as well. People say bad things about the Neon, but I have nothing but positive things to say, because they are great little gas savers, that are easy to work on, they get great gas mileage, and as long as you change your oil regularly, you shouldn't have any problems.

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  Lousy Radio and Worse Customer Service - 2022 Dodge Ram 3500
  By Just Me - December 22 - 9:48 am

  Love the truck: Hate the radio: Zero customer service. I have owned this truck for just over one year. It has been in the shop four times (1 - 4 days each time) due to the radio will not hold the preset stations. Constant pain in the ... to reset the stations. Ram's continuous message: The next software update will correct the issue. There have been several software updates with zero resolution. The last conversation with Ram Customer Service: "The engineers are working hard on the fix and I'll have to wait for a software update." Apparently Ram needs new engineers if they can't fix a radio in over a year. Can't trust Ram to fix a radio, what if it's something serious? Reckon it's time to sell and get a different brand with this type of customer support.

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  M - 2021 Dodge Dakota
  By George ONeal - April 22 - 7:37 pm

  I bought my Dodge Dakota new in 2005 and it as over 100,000 miles on it and is still running great

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  Heater core - 2011 Dodge Avenger
  By Grorge - April 12 - 7:54 pm

  Had to replace heater core heat on driver side cold on passenger side

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  Best and strongest car ever built - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By Bryson - March 28 - 1:46 pm

  I have had this car for almost 2 years and its been amazing unfortunately I wrecked it but after I wrecked it I still drive it everyday the only con is the timing belt i need to replace it. But other than that this is the perfect first car and it is my first car my mom owned 4 of them before I got mine and she loved hers they are super reliable and wont leave you stranded (even after its wrecked). I have the 2005 SXT 2.0 couldnt I make ex civic owners look bad with this car I even have the 5 speed manual trans and it makes alot of other cars look sad. I love the way the front ened looks too it looks like a happy little car as its leaving you behind. Oh and great fuel mileage too with todays gas prices it only costs 50 to fill it. And to all the Neon haters out there yall can suck it. just learn how to work on cars and learn whats wrong with the car before you buy it

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  BEST CAR EVER - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By Andrew Flowers - February 9 - 4:05 pm

  I gotta be honest, the Dodge Neon is the freaking best car ever made. I got mine around 12 years ago, at 109k miles. I have never sent this for repair, only regular maintenance. I have driven this in the city (most of the time), and on the highway occasionally. Mine is the SXT 2005, 5-speed automatic. Engine has an exellent performance for a car with 140k miles. Transmission has never given me any issues. No leaks at all. I can even beat the hell out of any shitty Civics/Corollas in the highway whenever they wanna pull up, even with the newer models. This has been fantastic, Ive never owned a better car than this, and Ive owned lot of cars. Even now, I prefer driving long distances in my Neon than in any of the similar-range cars that exist. Dodge really nailed it with this model, and Im even looking forward to get another one, the SRT-4.

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  Night Runner Durango 2007 5.7l HEMI - 2007 Dodge Durango
  By James smith - October 7 - 6:22 pm

  Ive owned this one for just over 2 years now. But I must admit. This is an awesome suv. Power of the Hemi, comfort in the seats, roomy, rides like a dream, and excellent racing steering and suspension. This by all means, sharing I have done a good deal of parts repairs, but dont regret any of it. This has been an awesome vehicle to own

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  Second Dodge Magnum - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By King - May 23 - 9:35 pm

  Ive owned an SRT8 and now an RT. Wept when I sold the SRT8 and felt compelled to go back. Now have an 06 RT with SRT8 wheels ( wont work for an AWD). This is the perfect daddy wagon if your younger kids play sports. Its a high powered masculine minivan what car doesnt have stuff wear out or break but you gotta keep after these babies. My RT has over 150k mi and I think it will out live me. I know the HEMI will! It is a king on the road and folks move over when I am behind them and not even tailgating. Stock exhaust is a little too quiet for hellraising but perfect for the long ride home from the tournement with a load of ball players snoozing away with their gear safety Stowed in the rear. The car is ready for its next assignment and you can get a full mattress in the back with the seats folded down. Perfect for inexpensive overnight boat commissioning! And other stuff Im sure. This is the last true AMERICAN wagon even though it is made in Canada. There is nothing that looks like it -not anything that has the hidden utility, power, and speed. If you buy one make sure you service it. Put a K&n filter in it and dont panic if you get locked into park. Pull out your I phone and fix it yourself. This is a car that deserves to be preserved as part of the AMERICAN motoring history. Remember the commercial? Sports car driver looks over to the Magnum driver at the red light and asks "Hey whaddya got in there?" Magnum guy pauses and turns around the replies, "A ladder, surfboard, shovel,..." The daddywagon rocks.

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  99 Dodge Dakota - 1999 Dodge Dakota
  By Tay Steen - October 12 - 8:52 pm

  I have a 1999 Dodge Dakota with the 3.9 I will admit it is not the fastest or most powerful but 6 out of 7 days a week I haul stuff with it and I do leave the pavement with the truck and it does every thing I ask of it very reliable truck.

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  X police charger - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Bobby Murray - January 31 - 12:29 am

  Bought an 06 ex county Police charger with 120k on it from a dealer...besides oil changes and now one set of tires at 165 k I have done nothing but enjoy the handleing and performance of the car...the extras left on it like the push bar and cage and the two anyenas due help to cut through traffic as well....was a great purchas and has been a reliable car