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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  OK Vehicle, but there are better - 1998 Dodge Durango
  By okvehicle - May 27 - 2:00 am

  Bought Durango in 98 and loved it. Hated the gas mileage from the start though. The interior is poor at best. The middle seat will not support a rear- facing child seat safely. Not comfortable at all. After a 3 hour trip I feel like I am beat. Decent reliablility. Spark plugs only lasted 30K miles, replace O2 sensor @ 30K, Been through 3 batteries. Brake wear is great and have not had a "major" problem yet.

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  Not so sure yet - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By not sure yet - May 26 - 11:40 am

  We have two sets of twins and the stow and go and power doors have been wonderful for us. However it is a necessity in our lives for reliability. Recently the van has been making noises and we decided to use our $3,000 extendend warranty and found that it has a $100.00 deductible each time you use it. It would have been nice to know that beforehand, and with all the noices it is making I am a little worried that the steering is going out. My friend has a Kia Sedona and loves it and it has lasted a long time with no repair needed, probably a better fit than the Dodge. I guess the old saying you get what you pay for rings true here.

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  Great little ride - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By SXTer - May 26 - 2:00 am

  Our first Neon was good but started falling apart (a/c, speedo/odo quit, and gas gauge quit, knobs started breaking etc) but the engine with 130K is still solid. NOW we have the SXT, had it a month and the engine is zippier w/132bhp. Gas milage is down from last Neon/38mpg to 33mpg. Gear shift is a little squishy but this aint a Ferrari. For the price with the rebate, to getta GOOD LOOKING car with 15 inch rims, a/c, cd player, power frt windows (having to manually roll down the rear is strange but hey-I ride in the front) , and a roomy interior is almost unheard of. Go price the competitors and itll make your head hurt.

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  Dakato club cab V8 4x4 - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By scott101 - May 26 - 2:00 am

  The only complaint about this vehicle is the gas mileage. Granted its a V8, but it still should get a higher mpg average.

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  Spanking Good - 1992 Dodge Viper
  By Big Bob - May 25 - 2:00 am

  Its mad fast and it will BLOW you away

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  flee from Daimler/Chrysler - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By beeblequix - May 25 - 2:00 am

  "If you take care of it, it will last you forever." Thats what the salesman said. Replaced sunroof 4 times, radio 3 times, head gasket went out @23K mi (they made me pay the coolant change when they changed HG), 8 visits to dealer to fix BAD GROUND under dash, each pwr window motor replaced, each pwr lock switch replaced more than twice.

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  Please Read - 1998 Dodge Intrepid
  By wxman1213 - May 25 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car, in perfect shape, with 53K miles on it. Ive religiously changed the oil and it now has 94K on it. This is NOT high for high quality car. In 3 months, the engine went from being trouble free to burning a qt of oil/week. Diagnosis: top end needs rebuilding. No REPUTABLE or HONEST mechanic or rebuild shop will touch it. Daimler Chrysler uses build techniques and equipment that shops cant duplicate. I can buy another 2.7L motor from a junkyard or a dealership at one heck of a price (quoted $4K to $8K). Ive had 3 other problems: faulty oil pressure sensor, power window motor failure, and engine accessory belt pulley bearing failure.

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  Paint Is A Pain - 1991 Dodge Caravan
  By Luke Smith - May 25 - 2:00 am

  the paint is almost gone on the hood of the van which makes it look awful, besides that it is very reliable.

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  First-time minivan owner - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Tonja - May 25 - 2:00 am

  We looked for months at other vans and SUVs to buy for our growing family. The anniversary edition was a plus and sold us on this wonderful minivan. I love driving my minivan and the sliding power doors are a big help with two small children. My only complaint is that Ive mysteriously locked myself out of the van while getting gas and again while running in to drop off something. The doors automatically unlock when you open them, but somehow re-lock themselves when they shut?!? Anyone else have this problem?

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  good car - 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Kingfisher57 - May 25 - 2:00 am

  My Dodge has been an excellent vehicle. I have 132000 on the car now and have had only 1 scary experience with itas the fuel rail broke with 5000 miles on the vehicle. Other wise there has been no problems with it.The car is still all original except for brakes and 1 battery