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:

• 

  Dodge 2002 Grand Caravan - 2002 Dodge Caravan
  By jackson - May 25 - 2:00 am

  This has been an excellent vechicle and the ride and comfort makes you forget that this is a mini van!

• 

  I Love this Car! - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Jaxzon - May 25 - 2:00 am

  Just finished putting the first 300 miles on the RT. It is one of the best handling cars Ive driven. The suspension is tight. The steering is firm. I got all the bells & whistles on this baby and it rocks. I would have purchased the SRT-4 if only they were available in my area. I would love the 230 HP (Mustang killer) under the hood on a 2700 LB body. The RTs only got 150 HP, but with all the aftermarket out there, man I cant wait til I save up for some performance parts.

• 

  A R Pocket Rocket - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Bob Tues - May 25 - 2:00 am

  This is flat out scary- a real pocket rocket! Reminds me of Carrol Shelby in his prime but sounds like the muscle car of the 60s. Seats let you know you are in a real sports car. Everythng in its size and class just watches as you go by. Not for the timid!

• 

  go dodge go - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By PRJOHNS69 - May 25 - 2:00 am

  THE V-8 OPTION IS EXCELLENT. THE FUEL CONSUMPTION IS POOR. TEST DROVE THE 6 CYL IT IS VERY WEAK. CHECK YOUR DEALERSHIP OUT. THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED OUR DODGES WOULD RANK A 2 AS FAR AS HONESTY AND SERVICE.

• 

  Best SUV ever - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By Alex Henning - May 25 - 2:00 am

  This has to be the best ever and I would like to have all of the different style.

• 

  Ton O Fun!! - 1995 Dodge Stealth
  By nb - May 24 - 2:00 am

  Awsome car! AWD provides great traction. Ive dumped the clutch at 5000 in sleet and took off like a dry summer day! comfortable, fast after the initial turbo lag. By third gear your easily breaking the law! Tires arent cheap and dont last long in these sizes. 20-25k a set. Problems Ive had: Those chrome wheels are peeling! Failed water pump, alternator, ticking lifters! Ive heard this is a common problem. I was able to have them replaced under warranty, but theyve recently started again after 69k mi.. Right speaker is going bad radio full of little glitches. Wind comes through the sun roof no matter how tightly closed at 135 mph!

• 

  1996 Dodge Stratus ES - 1996 Dodge Stratus
  By misanthropicelle - May 24 - 2:00 am

  I just bought this car a few days ago, but it is great! I love manual cars, and this one is definitely perfect for my needs. I drove the car 45 miles on the highway and the gas gauge didnt even move. The mileage is amazing and perfect for anyone that has to drive distances often!

• 

  250,000 and still fun ! - 1991 Dodge Spirit
  By Matt in Penna - May 24 - 2:00 am

  I bought my 1991 6 cyl ES as a work car and found it to be the best I ever had. I still use it as a fun car after 250,000 miles. Guess what - I went out and bought a beautiful 1992 Spirit as its replacement! Sadly I wrecked it in the rain - but it saved my life - solidly built machine. Im currently looking for a 94-96 Spirit to replace it. My opinion -if you see one - buy it!

• 

  1994 Dodge Inrepid - 1994 Dodge Intrepid
  By Drummer14 - May 24 - 2:00 am

  I bought this vehicle from my uncle. Ive only owned it for a month now but it has been a great car to drive in. The A/C is a problem but I try not to concentrate on that. I like the pick of the V6 engine because i have been use to 4 cyclinders. It is a fun car to drive in but I dont like the headlights. They are dahl and yellow and thats the only thing i dont like about the whole car but other than that i am happy i bought it,

• 

  Love my Quad - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By franzia - May 24 - 2:00 am

  I had a 2000 Dakota club cab, but I needed more room in the back because my two little girls are not so little any more. I was going to by a SUV (Liberty), but once I drove the 2002 Quad cab I was sold, plus I got an excellent deal.