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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  Nice V6 torque - 1993 Dodge Shadow
  By Revman - April 17 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car new in 1993 and it cost around $11,500. Tell me where you can get a new car today for that kind of money that has 170 lb. ft. of torque availible as soon as you put your foot on the gas. It handled pretty well also. The hatch back great, even though it doesnt look like a hatch, and the rear seats folded down. The brakes could be a lot better to match the engines performance. When things did go wrong, they were minor and inexpensive. After 8 years of owning it I bought a new car, but I would do it over again if I could.

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  Best Car Ive owned - 1992 Dodge Daytona
  By IROC Owner - April 17 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this car used in 1994. Through its 140,000 miles, the car has never let me down. Ive done nothing but routine maintenance. She still turns heads whether at a car show or spooling the turbo down the track.

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  Gotta have one - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By redhottneon2k2 - April 17 - 2:00 am

  I was eerie about buying a Dodge Neon when in the market and accidently stumbled accross an ES Sedan with rear spoiler, Eagle LS tires, automatic, 2.0L V4. Has awesome power and easy get up and go. The only thing I have had it in the shop for was the damage done in a wreck which was easily replaced not repaired cause all the parts come off the frame and reinsures stability without having to weaken the structure. I was T-Boned on the drivers side, and can say that the car saved my life. The only other thing I was in for was a recall which took them 15 minutes to replace.

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  Best Driving of the Vans - 2002 Dodge Caravan
  By lanshahan - April 17 - 2:00 am

  After reading all the hype about the Honda and getting a chance to drive a 01 and 02 Honda I cant see what the hype is about. Yes the magic seat is a neat feature and the upgraded motor and tranny are class leading but the Dodge offers a better balanced suspension, steering with more feel, a quieter interior (the Honda is noisy), better seats, built in child seats (just as much as a plus as Hondas magic seat), surprisingly tight build quality, smooth motor and tranny, all for thousands less in real world money.

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  Very nice medium pickup - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By L.F.Hawkins - April 17 - 2:00 am

  Purchased this vehicle for several reasons:style,comfortable (62")both front and rear seats,capable of being towed wheels down(behind a motorhome) and dealerships service manager (fantastic reputation for service)I have been very satisfied with the truck,although fuel mileage could be improved,and would purchase another should anything happen to this one.

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  Best car Ive owned - 1995 Dodge Intrepid
  By dbadonis - April 16 - 2:00 am

  The car has never been a powerful ride, but has always been extremely dependable and comfortable. Ive only had to replace the belts and tires. Everything else is original and is in fine working order.

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  bad car! - 2002 Dodge Viper
  By rock_119 - April 15 - 2:00 am

  Big motor woopty doo... Car gets 80000 miles on it and it blows... this is with good treatment too.

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  This car is HORRIBLE!! - 1996 Dodge Stratus
  By cutiechick - April 14 - 2:00 am

  I have only had this car for just over a year and I have had HUGE problems with it. It was back at the dealership 5 days after it was purchased because it was leaking transmission fluid.A year later, the same thing happened my transmission leaks only this time when it goes in for repair at a Dodge dealership, they find that Im also leaking oil. Now my engine is burning oil internlly and I need a whole new engine!!!!!!! Fortunately for me I bought an extended warranty that will (hopefully) cover the cost of the new engine and transmission repair.I found out that this model year is well known for transmission problems as well as head gasket problems.

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  DO NOT BUY THIS CAR - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By EX-Neon Owner - April 14 - 2:00 am

  I am trading my neon tomorrow. The milage is at 96,900 and it has cracked a third head gasket. The first one was under 36,000 the second at 80K and then this one two days ago. I asked my mechanic if I could leave the car in his lot over night with the keys in it, and pray somebody would be stupid enough to steal it! The car is comfortable inside, and cute outside, but that is it. I have had exhaust issues, had the valve cover gasket replaced, Oxygen sensor replaced, and other things that I cannor even remember. It has no "get up and go", brakes lock on wet roads, and goes throug head gaskets like socks.

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  fast and powerfull - 1997 Dodge Intrepid
  By mitman - April 14 - 2:00 am

  This car is fast and powerfull. 3.5 liter engine. Hasnt broke down on me at all. Had a small oil leak once. Handles great. You can take this baby on the highway and find yourself going 80 mph and fells like your going 50. very smooth. No transmission problems like they say the 95 and 96 models had. This is the last year they created this design, they got all the kinks out the previous 2 years.