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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  5.9R/T - 1999 Dodge Dakota
  By ben - March 4 - 2:33 pm

  very fast! no problems. easy to build. great performance.

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  Pretty good. - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Mike - March 4 - 1:46 pm

  I traded in a Tahoe in April to get better mileage. I really liked the styling better than the other cars in this class. I have a 1.8 sxt. Loved the extra features that didnt cost an arm and a leg (heated seats, 6 disc in dash, Cool Zone, etc). Also, I am 63, and it has a lot of head and leg room. I dont feel cramped like I do in my wifes Civic. I have been pleasantly surprised by the car. However, it has developed a pinging noise and Dodge has said it is a "non issue". I dont get 30 mpg, more like 26. However, after driving a Tahoe, anything is better than that. Also, random warning lights have come on, but they go off when restarted.

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  Compare All 3! - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By oldcarman - March 4 - 10:35 am

  This vehicle blows the doors off the Fords, Saturn (joke) or Asian imports, & you can put one inside a Neon with room to spare! It has been dead nuts reliable, the dealer has stood behind every problem which were very few. It is one of the very fdew vehicles in this class that fits Americans. Just because I donnt want or need to spend $25k doesnt mean I shrunk to the size of a typical Japanese or European. It also doesnt look like "committee" styling. It has been a great value!

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  Its all I wanted - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Dave - March 4 - 7:56 am

  I waited a long time for a car like this one. I had no desire for a SUV but I needed to carry things. I could never see myself in a mini-van but I needed to carry things and people. This is my dream car. Style, performance, and room.... its got it all.

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  Very Disappointed - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By Very Disappointed - March 4 - 4:58 am

  I have had numerous problems since I bought this vehicle 6 years ago: the paint discolored on the hood and trunk twice the interior light works only when it wants to the break lights stayed on continuously the turn signal broke twice major head gasket leak: the dealer said the factory was offering a $100 deductable because it was an ongoing problem with this vehicle. No problems yet w/the new headgasketAC has gone bad 5 times now.

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  WORST CAR EVER MADE? - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By avoidneon - March 3 - 11:45 pm

  I bought a Neon new in 1994. This was the worst car I ever owned, with dozens of problems, like 4 replaced engine computers, loose exhaust, clunking suspension, leaking window seals (window are frameless, beware!), bad brakes, electrical probelms, etc, etc, etc. I sold this car at a significant loss in 1998, but I would have paid someone to take it off my hands.

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  1993 Dodge Dynast LE Recap - 1993 Dodge Dynasty
  By sunray - March 3 - 11:39 pm

  The best car I ever had. My co-worker bought one at same time (both cars still on road >110,000 miles. Solid ride, no squeeks, no major problems ever. Bought at "sale price" new in 1993 at a bargain basement price... loaded! Car doesnt rust. I would do it over again. This vehicle never left me stranded. Lookback crash tests revealed really good safety too. Seems 1992-1994 Chrysler products were really really good...I dont know about now though??? Good luck.

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  My 4 year old is just fine. . - 1998 Dodge Durango
  By taass - March 3 - 11:21 pm

  When you buy a 4X4 V8 SUV, dont complain at the pump.I use my Durango, but dont abuse it - and pamper it with regular service.Ball joints were my fault.Lesson learned: GREASE JOBS ARE IMPORTANT!!!56,000 miles and running strong. No problems at all. Runs great, looks great.Take care of your car (any car) and itll last you forever.Theres always the occasionaly lemon (yes, even Toyotas and Honas), so dont let one review deter you.Its a great car.

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  A Good Simple Family Car - 1999 Dodge Caravan
  By kjmarchione - March 3 - 9:11 pm

  When we purchased our Caravan, we were looking for an inexpensive, roomy vehicle to hold our kids and their friends. We purchased this vehicle new for about the same price of a compact car made by other companies. It was a stripped down model, with a four cylinder and we had no unrealistic expectations of performance or luxury. We were pleasantly surprised by the cars performance and actually felt quite nimble, probably because of the lesser weight.

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  Neon compact - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By Soey - March 3 - 5:12 am

  Great comuter car, gets great gas economy and has great comfort for a little car, if you want a sports car, this may not be for you.lacks in performance. But if you want a decent priced gas miser with room for 4, try the all new dodge neon.