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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  80K, 10 years old, and still going - 1992 Dodge Dynasty
  By johnb300m - May 1 - 2:00 am

  this has been one hell of a car. I inherited it from my parents when they got their 99 LHS. I know its not an exciting car for an 18 year old, but it is very reliable, comfortable, roomy for the friends, and Chryslers first ever V6 (3.3- 150HP, 190ft lb torque) is a powerful and bullet proof engine. My teen leadfoot is no match for this powertrain. The trans is rough around the edges at times, other times it shifts like butter. Its been a great car, and i set up my own Infinity sound system with Cd, and it rivals the factory Infinity systems. Love the car, will hate to see it go.

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  The 2000 Neon - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By lotusland6 - May 1 - 2:00 am

  2000 Neon. Purchased 3/2000. Presently 51,000 miles. Repairs: 2 recalls both minor Maintenance: Tune up, Brakes, Front wipers, Transmission flush 4 cylinder is a bit sluggish but the passing gear is low enough to provide added torque. I would purchase a standard in the 2.0 Ride is okay for a sub. Although wind noise is noticeable. Overall: With the 2000.00 rebate it is a good buy for the money.

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  An excellent "driver" - 2001 Dodge Neon
  By Glenn Laycock - May 1 - 2:00 am

  I have owned 2 Neons now, and both were extremely good at doing their job however I was surprised as how much improving Chrysler had done with the new model the Neon has definately moved upscale, trading in some of its handling in favor of a much nicer ride, refinement, and comfort. My first impression was that of a German sedan with the excellent seats, quiet torque"ie" balanced powertrain and quality of materials and finish. The original Neon missed it target just slightly (particularly early models) but this one is dead on its only handicap is the association to the name of "Neon" which does not reflect the high value of the new model.

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  Great Car for Us - 2001 Dodge Intrepid
  By Ed Ely - May 1 - 2:00 am

  Excellant handling, roadability, driveability. Looks was one of the primary reasons for the purchase of this vehicle. However, once it was driven, we were sold on it. Got the best deal we could find and signed on the dotted line. We are glad that we did.

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  Not so bad - 1998 Dodge Durango
  By nextdoor - May 1 - 2:00 am

  Tires wear quickly....Drives like a truck. If you need storage space buy something else. Is fun to drive.

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  2005 Grand Caravan SE - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Larry - April 30 - 9:16 pm

  Bought used with 24,000 mi. on it for daughter and 3 boys after divorce. Mostly highway miles. Transmission only problem, but was repaired under warranty. Now Im selling it with 92,600 mi. and expect to get $7,000 for it. Great road trip vehicle. Great car for a family on the go. This was my fourth Caravan/Voyager and all have been great.

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  Both A Clunker & Junker Combined! - 1996 Dodge Stratus
  By achaulk - April 30 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is by far the worst that Ive owned. From the undersized rotors that need to be replaced annually, to the leaky engine, this car never ceases to need service. The 4-cylinder engine is notorious for head gasket failures as Ive had to have the dealer-replaced head gasket replaced yet again. Also, the oil galley plug, also originally replaced by the dealer, leaked again. Ive also had to replace the rear motor mount since the oil ate away at the rubber parts. I also have to contend with yearly rotor and brake replacement. Not only was the car poor to begin with, but each of items replaced by the dealer failed again. This vehicle is terrible!

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  A Future Classic - 1996 Dodge Intrepid
  By luvmyintrepid - April 30 - 2:00 am

  Bought it as a program car, 3 months old and 10K miles. It runs so good, so smoothly, and so reliable, that its almost boring. I recently bought a new car (for tax purposes) but cannot part with this one, so I kept it.

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  sorry i bought it - 2002 Dodge Caravan
  By Unhappy - April 30 - 2:00 am

  I should have bought the Honda Odyssey. I tried to save money, boy what a mistake! The transmition is not right, but they cant figure it out. I think they are good with their offers but you get what you pay for. Maybe I should have leased it...so I could dump it.

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  sorry i bought it - 2002 Dodge Caravan
  By unhappy - April 30 - 2:00 am

  I should have bought the Honda Odyssey. I tried to save money, boy what a mistake! The transmition is not right, but they cant figure it out. I think they are good with their offers but you get what you pay for. Maybe I should have leased it...so I could dump it.