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:

• 

  My 95 Dakota..a real trooper! - 1995 Dodge Dakota
  By benwah9779 - June 3 - 2:00 am

  I was leary of buying this truck being a 95 with 198K miles but the 318 has been a work horse! I just cracked 210K this weekend and nothing outside normal maintenance has came up. I haul cars almost every weekend and the truck has been outstanding for what I need.

• 

  My Neon R/T - 2001 Dodge Neon
  By ListerofSmeg - June 3 - 2:00 am

  I just drove my to Central California and back (to Seattle). It handled beautifully. The R/T kept its speed of 70 mph up a 5% grad hill over a span of about four miles! It took all the turns and bumps with very little effort. I only had to fill the gas tank 6 times on a 2600 mile round trip (thats about 433 miles per 12.5 gallon tank)! Overall, I absolutely love driving this car and so do all of my friends.

• 

  Crapavan - 2002 Dodge Caravan
  By Mr. Swizenheimer - June 3 - 2:00 am

  A week after I bought this crap, it was back in the dealership being repaired. Then the sliding doors jammed and stayed open, another trip to the dealership. The lights went out in the middle of the night and i crashed the car, completely ruined, but when it was crashed it looked better then it did before. Never buy this crap, I cant believe I bought it. i would have prefered a matress on wheels.

• 

  Great truck - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By Jim123 - June 2 - 2:00 am

  This is my third Dakota. I thought I would try a Pathfinder and decided the V6 would not tow my small trailer. I went back to the Dakota Quad with the 4.7 and what a pleasure it is to drive. No problems with hills and I think the gas mileage is just as good as the Nissan V6. No problems so far and it looks great.

• 

  consumer - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By lux - May 31 - 10:00 am

  ots a very fun car for its price

• 

  Power monster - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Malachoz - May 31 - 10:00 am

  Car is a power horse, flies like it had wings or should

• 

  hmm... - 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Ffridley - May 31 - 10:00 am

  I traded in a 97 (which I will NEVER recommend!)(had a 3.0 engine) to get this newer model in hopes that Dodge wouldve corrected most of the engine problems. It hasnt been bad but now my exhaust is starting to smell AGAIN. This disgusts me. Also the engine space is a little better but still hard to do self maintenance to the vehicle. I probably will not be purchasing another Gr. Caravan in the future and because of the smell look forward to trading it soon if the service department cant take care of the problem.

• 

  Turbo fun! - 1990 Dodge Shadow
  By Sean V - May 31 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car for $1000 canadian, it was in very good condition, all i had to do was some exhaust work. Since has been working very well. I was very surprised by the amount of horsepower (150) out of the 2.5 litre, 4 cylinder engine... especially the fact that it is now 12 years old, and has 197000ks. At least my first car was a decent one.

• 

  The best American-made - 1999 Dodge Dakota
  By Greg S - May 31 - 2:00 am

  I researched the small truck market for months prior to buying. On paper, it came down to the Dakota, Tacoma, and Ranger. After the test drive, the Dakota won hands down. It had more muscle, better styling, the best ride, and it just felt more like I was in a real truck. The only negative is the gas mileage, which has surprised me only because its been a good bit lower than advertised. I am a big guy - 62", 250 lbs. - and this truck is easily roomy enough and comfortable enough for me to drive daily. The seats have never caused me any discomfort, even on long trips. After three years, Im as happy with my decision as the day I drove it off the lot.

• 

  2002 Dodge Viper ACR - 2002 Dodge Viper
  By Pablo Picasso - May 31 - 2:00 am

  Had the ACR for one week. So far so good. Drives very fast with poor gas mileage. Turns heads everywhere. Slightly uncomfortable race-like ride, but that is expected.