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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  2014 30th Anniversary Edition - 2014 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By acadiafan - August 28 - 10:54 pm

  I Traded a 2012 GMC Acadia. I drove a Chrysler Town & Country rental while having hail damage repaired on my Acadia. I was highly impressed as were my kids. I decided it was time for comfort rather than over priced SUV. My husband 62" fits comfortably. I compared the Grand Caravan to Chrysler T&C, Honda Odessey, Nissan Quest. Ultimately it was the stow and go as well the fact the grand caravan feels like Im riding higher off the ground than Odessey. You get more bang for your buck with the Grand a Caravan. I bought it brand new 3 months ago with 14 miles on it. Now after a trip across the country with 6 people, I have over 9,000 miles

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  Problems with plastic - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By poor plastic - August 28 - 10:00 am

  Since I have purchached this car I have had nothing but problems. It was a demo when purchased from the dealership. Since then I have had everything plastic in the car to break. So far me door handles, air condition vents, rear big brake light, ash trays, and the dash panel around my radio have all been broken. You would think just replace the handel to the door but of course the car is made with it being all attached so I had to purchase a whole new door $500.00, (luckly I found one at a junk yard for $100) air condition vents $27.00 each, panel around radio $100.00. Havent checked on the brake light, yet but I can only imagine.

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  Slamming R/T - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By skippyB - August 28 - 10:00 am

  Great car and blast to drive and didnt cost a mint!

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  Never again - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By jdhboys - August 28 - 10:00 am

  I had an oil absorbtion problem after have this brand new vehicle only 3 months. Repeatedly lost 1 quart of oil over a 1 month period. The tire are absolutely horrible. They wear pretty fast. The window regulators all went out intermittenly and one is permanently fried which cost $225 to replace a relatively cheap part. Brakes are terrible as the brake dust cause the brakes to squeak bad. If you have 7 passengers in the vehicle you can forget about any luggage space and there is virtually NONE!!! Since I work for the #1 Japanese transplant mfg. I know what quality and customer approval means and this SUV doesnt get it done.

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  The Perfect Size - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By Mark O - August 28 - 10:00 am

  I wanted a large SUV but my garage door was too small. The Durango was perfect. TONS of room, but not a river barge like a Suburban, Expedition, ETC. Big 5.9liter engine, reliable, nice leather....get the BIG mirrors, they look better and you can see everything when backing up or passing. 40K miles and no problems (except a burt out fog light)

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  srt4 - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Gary Baker - August 25 - 10:00 am

  this thing is great it is sporty looking drives great the interior is wonderful the seats are great when your driving a sports car u dont want to have to hold the wheel to stay in your seat these seats hold you in place it has great brakes stop on a dime great throttle response this thing is fast the funnest car ever for 20k

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  My RT - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Ruben Garza - August 23 - 7:43 pm

  This car has a lot to give a person who likes the feel of four doors but has the power to be, more than just a four door sedan. The gas mileage is good could be better, but over all it performs, like a sports car. I get lots of looks when I first bought this vehicle, people just did not know of it, that what so nice about this vehicle people are just starting to catch on.

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  Caravan 1996 - 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By PWC - August 23 - 10:00 am

  Every problem that could be experienced has been experienced. Chrysler would not correct a sinlge defect post 36,000 miles no matter the severitiy (transmission, etc.)

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  Buyer beware! - 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By LemonGirl - August 23 - 10:00 am

  I have had troubles with this van from day one. First, air conditioning wouldnt work. Even vent would blow HOT air. Cost to fix (after 3 mechanics to find the problem) $1500. Then there was the fuel line problem ($500). Now the service engine light is constantly on (transmission?). Have I mentioned the problems with the computer system? (Phantom wiper, other air conditioning problems, Cruise control, horn). Oh, and to top it off, the CD player wont work half the time. I have heard that Dodge has improved their minivans...lets hope so. DO NOT BUY A 1997...unless you like living on the edge of insanity as I have for the last two years!

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  Save your money and buy a decent car - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By - August 23 - 10:00 am

  Engine oil pressure problems from early on. At 23,000 dealer claimed engine sludge problems caused by my failure to perfrom appropriate maintenance. Been in shop at least four times for the same problem and Dodge refuses to repair under warranty saying problem caused by "shody" maintenance. Will probably have to resort to "sueing" to get repaired so I can sell. "Stay away from Durango and Dodge unless you are a masochist." No dealer or manufacturer support.