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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  Classy little fun car - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By day - June 11 - 8:56 pm

  I have had this car for a week and its great! It has the feel of a mini SUV but drives very smoothly. Good gas mileage and creates quite a lot of attention. Very fun car.

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  The Little Car That Could - 2001 Dodge Neon
  By Hyper - June 11 - 12:58 pm

  Bought this car used in 2002 after it had been a rental. During the next seven years and 70,000 miles, I replaced oil, a battery, and the relay for the radiator fan. I had a trailer hitch on this car and pulled a U-Haul trailer back and forth across the country several times. In the end, the car was rear-ended by a large GMC pickup that was too high up to hit the bumper, but even then the trunk crumpled like it was supposed to, saving me from injury. My Neon was totaled in this accident just last week, but this was and will probably remain my favorite of the dozen cars Ive owned in my 42 years.

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  very good van - 1998 Dodge Caravan
  By Buddy5960 - June 10 - 3:59 pm

  I bought this van used and i have had very minimal trouble with it.Very good van.

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  Great SRT8 - 2008 Dodge Charger
  By ABest - June 10 - 1:13 pm

  This is the first car that I have really enjoyed. The drivability is great and the performance is out of this work for a 5 seater. I have three kids under the age of 4 and this allows for me to enjoy my car while still being able to transport the entire family.

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  Great while it last! - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By Dwillams - June 10 - 11:17 am

  I purchased 2002 stratus with only 86k back in 2007 great car wood grain inside keyless entry, didnt have it for a year they car broke down needed head cover gasket, timing belt, water pump, oil pan needed be replaced, took it to the dealership paid almost 2gs to repair didnt have anymore issues. check engine light has been on past two year keep saying gas cap replaced it 3times never went off, come to find out it was the emissions hoses. I was few month paying it off, but to much was going on with it I traded it in for a 2007 chrysler sebring needed a upgrade! but i got my fun out of that stratus its a good car just dont dog it out!!

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  Great until 100,000 miles - 1998 Dodge Caravan
  By Deb - June 10 - 8:51 am

  Bought my van from a Dodge dealer used in 2001 with about 40,000 miles on the engine. Overall was a great vehicle, minimum break downs, did have problem keeping brakes, both time replaced still under warranty. Lucky me. Air conditioning also had to be repaired. At 106,000 miles on Christmas eve 2008 we lost our transmission on interstate 95, fully loaded with Christmas tree and gifts, on our way to my sisters in Boston. 70 miles from home, with my 12 year old daughter, and 10 below zero. Was not fun experience. $2600 to replace the transmission with a factory rebuilt engine. We decided to get out while the getting was good before this became a money pit. And purchased a new car.

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  Love this CAR - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By Tonks - June 9 - 5:42 pm

  I bought this car brand new in 12/2005 with a whole 99 miles on it!!! I now have 91,000 miles on it and it is still running great I have had no mechanical problems with it and love to drive it everywhere the gas mileage is amazing!!!!

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  Magnum RT/AWD after 33500 Miles - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By Dadd Wagon - 33k m - June 7 - 4:01 am

  Had my Maggie now for 28 months and 33,500 miles. Used Royal Purple since beginning. CAR has been the most reliable , fun , trouble free car I have ever had. Still sounds, feels, drives as I took it home. No issues what so ever. Very pleased that we own a car that was discontinued also.... So what.. The AWD system I have never felt safer behind the wheel of any 4x4. She is a tank and built well.. Keeping her forever...

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  AWESOME CAR!!!!!!!! - 2001 Dodge Intrepid
  By Johnny S. Garcia, Jr - June 6 - 11:12 pm

  I bought this former rental car off a Dodge dealers lot in Mar. 2002 with 35,000 miles and a MFG date of 06/01. My baby NOW has as of todays date (06/06/09) 218,171 miles on it!!!!!,,,Its a V6 2.7. Most of my miles came from highway miles. Read this and weep people, this car (MY CAR) IS AWESOME!!!!!,,,,Ive done regular maintenance, tires, in fact, I went to the maximum width tire on 17 inch rims. The only major thing done on this car is the power steering pulley. It still has trhe orig tranny and batt. THANK YOU for this awesome car!!!!! I hear Dodge made a 2009 Intrepid?????

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  powerful reliable workhorse - 2007 Dodge Magnum
  By dogmanosu - June 6 - 9:31 pm

  Ive already put 50000 miles on this awesome machine, and it still drives like its brand new. My dogs like the cargo space, my family loves the ample leather space inside. I feel like this car is just going to go on forever, like an old pickup truck would. I think the hemi, and the heavy duty transmission are unstoppable.