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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  Big mistake - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Sandra - January 31 - 4:16 am

  I traded in a very nice 2004 Jeep Liberty for this thing, I got it out of the showroom. (GOD I wish it were back in there.) Ive had it at the dealership for fuel smell in the car while driving. They say they cant find anything wrong with it, my husbands a mechanic he says their crazy, but its under warranty so they should fix it. Ive had to have it lined up because it eats tires up on the inside, and Im fixing to replace tires for the 2nd time, it only has 31,000 miles on it. I really wish I could trade it in, but the Dodge place only offered me $9,000 for it and it is in excellent shape, they know the cars are junk.

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  Ok for the price - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By agarven - January 30 - 10:39 pm

  Bought this car new, now has 65,000km. Probably the most practical vehicle there is for a family at a good price. Brakes are a problem, replaced front pads and rotors at 35,000km. Rear caliper seized ruining rear rotor and pad (covered under warranty). Noisy exhaust (not sure if this is a problem or not).

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  Old faithful - 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By shipo - January 29 - 3:33 pm

  Weve had this van since new and have performed just the basic maintenance on it. So far, other than the tranny that died at 109K miles, the van has cost us less than $300 in unscheduled maintenance. Performance wise, the van has the 3.8 liter mill, and it has more than enough power for accelerating up freeway ramps, even with steep inclines, and for passing on 2-lane roads. Our van has the optional "Sport Suspension" which makes it a pleasure to drive on the narrow & winding 2-lane roads in our area, much more so than all other vans of similar vintage. The only weakness per-se in the van is the undersized brake rotors which have a tendency to warp. Drilled rotors solved that problem.

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  YIIIIPPPPEEEEE - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By amoni1 - January 27 - 10:00 am

  Ilove this car. My fiance has a ram 1500 and I had to put it in the shop and they gave me a stratus on loaner. I fell in love with the car, I didnt want a car because I didnt think they would have enough room for my two kids but this one was. I went back the next week to look more into it....well I ended up leaving with a 2002 black sxt with a sunroof...this car is excellent and fast and cute!!

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  Head Turner - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By PKALK - January 26 - 6:20 am

  The car looks like its moving when parked. It turns more heads than any car Ive ever had. Added a Borla exhaust and air intake. Awesome sound and power. Plenty of room for my 3 daughters who think theyre going to drive it when theyre 16. Not a chance. A lot of bang for the buck. Try finding a 4 door with that amount of room and power.

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  dodge death trap - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By dodge death trap - January 23 - 9:50 am

  My 07Caliber kicks like a bronco when it changes gears, metal plates break from the bottom, my cup holders randomly dont light up, Ive have to replace the struts, springs, tierods, rotors, brakes, tires...I personally would not recommend this car. My car now has 46K and not covered under the warranty anymore.

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  Awesome ride. - 2016 Dodge Charger
  By Shawn - January 23 - 3:59 am

  This is the best car I ever owned 1

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  nothin but hate - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By jentown - January 22 - 4:13 pm

  Big mistake, tires shot @ 12,000 miles even after rotating when needed & nobody will do anything but pass the buck back and forth. After about 6 months started falling on its face had @ dealership 3 times. Of course nothing wrong (I was crazy) until it would not start. Had to be towed, main computer chip went out. Service dept. Total jerks, terrible gas mileage, lots of blind spots. Cant tell you how times I have almost hit people changing lanes. Make sure you always look 2 or 3 times before switching lanes. I told my boyfriend this car is going to be the death of me and make sure Dodge pays dearly for it.

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  Will never buy a Dodge Again - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Boringdelaney - January 21 - 7:06 am

  I bought this vehicle as they came rolling off the trucks (3/06). In the last 3 yrs had some major problems: **4/06; the entire exhaust had to be replaced **2/07; at 13,000 miles, the pads and rotors had to be replaced **11/07; pads replaced once again **1/08; at 29,000 miles the electrical had to be replaced. **9/08; the complete braking system had to be replaced including pads and rotors ** 5/09;The last and final issue, a strange noise from the engine, it was the alternator, water pump, timing belt, pulley and some type of exhaust issue, I called the bank and had them pick up the vehicle, I will NEVER own a Chrysler/Dodge Product Again. Buyers Beware.

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  Versatility King - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By David - January 18 - 8:20 am

  I bought the Grand Caravan over the new Odyssey because of the StownGo feature and it hasnt disappointed me. I need versatility and maximum cargo space, and the Dodge has it and more. Reliability and build quality are not on par with Japanese vehicles but they cannot match the Dodges versatility. I keep my vehicles forever, so resale value is not a factor to me.