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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  Buyer Beware - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Jason Jackson - June 10 - 2:00 am

  It says 22MPG on city I am averaging 15 MPG and that is mostly HWY Driving. After one week of having the car the check engine light came on. Took it to the dealer they said it was an air inlet sensor that needed to be replaced. The turbo boost jumps even at idle. And some times the RPMs get stuck at 3k. And the car only has one key entry the drivers.No trunk opener inside you have to set your groceries down and open it with the key. But other then that things are great...note the sarcasim.

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  GRAND Caravan Sport - 2001 Dodge Caravan
  By GRAND Caravan - June 9 - 3:56 pm

  We purchased or Grand Caravan Sport new from the dealership. It has given us 7 great years with minor issues. We recently were going to trade it in on a new cross-over and instead traded in our Volvo for the cross over and kept the van. However now our needs are changing and the van is really not needed anymore, plan to trade it in for something smaller and more fuel efficient.

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  My 99 V6 Dakota - 1999 Dodge Dakota
  By thetrurocker91 - June 9 - 2:24 pm

  Ok. Well Ive read everyone elses reviews and I have to beg to differ with some of them. I have a 99 Dakota V6 Sport with the long bed and standard cab. I took out the back seat to put stereo and have dual Gibson exhaust, Airaid Cold Air Intake, and 20" rims on 45 series tires. The power for a V6 on big rims and tires, I think is great. I can still do a decent brake stand! Although, even with all the modifications, the gas mileage is still horrible. I average around 10 mpg and 12 on a cold day. I perform routine maintenance and it has never given up on me. Ride quality is that of a Buick, even with the rims! Overall, I give it a 8 out of 10. Even though I already have 140,000+ miles on it!

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  Still Going At 122,000 - 2000 Dodge Stratus
  By Scourge - June 9 - 9:41 am

  Purchased new 09/1999 and have reviewed it once before on this site. Has been a good car. Other than the fact that the front disc brakes warp over time, I have no complaints on this car. Ive spent ~$2400 over the last 1.5 years to completely revamp the A/C from the core to the compressor, but thats the first money Ive had to spend. I had a very difficult to diagnose EGR valve problem. The engine would "hiccup". I finally figured out that the EGR valve was sticking open. I disconnected it and everything works fine. You have to reconnect it to pass emissions tests in LA, but thats only once/yr to get a new inspection sticker.

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  Amazing after 12 Years - 1996 Dodge Dakota
  By brasky98 - June 8 - 9:59 pm

  Received this truck after wrapping a Toyota around a telephone pole... This truck is amazing with its reliability. Turn the key and it starts right up. Gets me to work 5 days a week and hauls drywall, mulch or gravel the other 2. The worst I have had to do is complete brakes 3 years ago. Engine is strong, tranny tight, gets me where I need to be. Only dings, dents or rust is what Ive caused. Ill drive this baby until the wheels fall of. Probably will subsidize her with a new sedan here in a month or two but its about time. 12 years and still running strong!

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  Wonderful Car! - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By Ian from Florida - June 8 - 9:48 pm

  My 2003 SRT-4 has 105k on her right now. Still running strong. Basic maintenance will take you a long way! Buy one, you WONT regret it!

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  I Love My Nitro - 2008 Dodge Nitro
  By Ladytnb - June 7 - 10:16 pm

  I purchased my brilliant silver Nitro 2 weeks ago. Thus far I have no complaints. This vehicle is turning heads. I traded in a Honda Element for this suv. I was skeptical because I never owned a Dodge before and some of the customer reviews were not very impressive. However, I am pleased with my decision thus far. The gas mileage is better than expected too.

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  My Durango has a nickname OUCH$ - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By LBL - June 7 - 3:54 pm

  I really do like it after approximately 30,000 dollars yes 30k. New crate eng, radiator, 2 wtr pmps, fuel pump, brake lines, axle bearings/seal rear, rear replaced, headlight switch, drvr dr motor, etc etc. Now it rides better than the day I bought it, and I still for some strange reason just like it! Go figure. Oh did I say transmission replaced too. LOL tears of joy. Ps. Pass. Side mirror and heater box need diverter switch /core next. Hahaha .

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  So far I love it - 2008 Dodge Nitro
  By Matthew - June 7 - 7:33 am

  I love this machine! The only thing I have to say is it could be better on gas, but I my total miles back and forth to work is only 6 miles a day. The reviews are not that great in C.R. but I must say I dont agree with a lot of the test reviews! The style inside and out is great and I think it handles very well. ( keep up the good work Dodge)

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  Great car for gas mileage - 1998 Dodge Intrepid
  By rangejeep - June 5 - 1:07 pm

  Bought with 42,000 miles and racked up 160,000 Miles. I like the pep of the ES engine. Nice room inside (Im 6-6). The auto stick is fun and useful when driving bumper to bumper traffic. Just pop into 2nd gear until you clear the traffic. I originally bought to have a large car now I keep for the good mileage. On the highway Im at 30mpg. Im surprised that no other large car gets better mileage in 10 years! Sure it has its issues and Ive kept up with major maintenance like timing belt (a must at 100k miles). Some electric glitches and interior fading from the sun but its held up well. The clear coat is now starting to peel but not too bad. If I keep forever a paint job would be in order.