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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  My third Dodge minivan - 2000 Dodge Caravan
  By wkguy - November 4 - 8:13 pm

  This is my third Dodge minivan. The two earlier versions were 4 pingers. Present is 6. Better mileage with the 4 and easier to change the plugs. Comfortable ride. The rear seats can be removed but a real back breaker for most people and most women shouldnt even consider it. My dealer recently changed the serpentine and air cond belt. 5 weeks later the serpentine belt comes off and they charge me another $200.00 to put it back on saying it also needed a new idler belt. A real scam but I dont blame the van...it didnt cheat me, the dealer did. Replaced brake pad around 45,000 miles transmis solenoid gasket around 64,000...check engine light stays on but everything else works find.

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  Dodge, never again! - 1997 Dodge Dakota
  By Rosemountguy - November 4 - 5:36 pm

  This was my first new vehicle purchase and my last Chrysler product purchase. While the truck always got reasonable mileage and was comfortable to drive, it was a maintenance nightmare. I went through three power steering pumps, replaced the ball joints, fuel pump, cruise control, and had the rear rebuilt by 50000 miles. The truck also ate brakes every 15- 20thousand miles. I never owned a vehicle that was this hard on brakes, even my old Trans-Am which I drove hard. A am happy I never really used it as a heavy hauler as I am sure I would have gone through many more parts.

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  Never thought Id own a Dodge - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By RJTs wife - November 2 - 1:53 pm

  I never thought Id own a Dodge, but I have been pleasantly surprised about how much I enjoy this car. My husband wanted the power, and I have to say its not a bad thing to have on the highways. We looked a whole lot of vehicles and just happened to see this one and whammy, we got it. Some improvements could be made, but overall a really, really good looking, huge, fun to drive and ride in car.

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  We love minivans. - 2007 Dodge Caravan
  By Ron Wagner - October 31 - 12:04 am

  Minivans are the way to go for all my gear and traveling with or without family. The stow away feature is a must, but lowers the van too much for bad dirt roads. What you get for the money is far beyond what a car or SUV can deliver. If they would only come up with better gas mileage. I think that a continuously variable transmission would help a lot. Also a computer assisted economy mode, and maybe a smaller engine.

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  NOISE - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Brandon - October 29 - 11:30 pm

  I also have the whistling noise problem. The dealership has changed the windshield, tried to realign my door. Still a problem. Also twice i turned the van on and only the van came on, the radio and A/C did not. (very weird). The van has a weird look but rides nice(except noise), ok on gas.Its comfortable on long rides.Good get up and go.

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  2nd one and still like them - 2001 Dodge Durango
  By Durango Family - October 28 - 10:27 pm

  This is our seond Durango as our first was a 2000 with 120,000 miles on it before it protected our twin 2 yr olds, mother in law, and wife when a rav4 stopped dead in front of us. The rav 4 did not do as well. We have had none of the problems typically heard of and it has been very reliable. 4.7L MPG is not what it should be but 18MPG. 3rd seat, leather and rear air are really cool for this size truck. Can not beat it in snow!!

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  Fantastic Little Truck - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By Good Truck - October 26 - 10:20 am

  This is my second 4wd with a v8 and it has not dissapointed. I will always buy Dodge trucks from now on. I pull a 6000lb boat with no trouble at all.

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  2000 Dakota Quad Cab - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By marine64 - October 25 - 8:53 am

  The 2000 Dakota Quad Cab with hard shell topper was just what I wanted. It handles well in all sorts of weather. The 4.7 ltr. engine has plenty of power and get up. Only gets about 15-16 mpg in town and may 18 highway. I put a duel exhaust system on her which boosted power a bit and gives it that big truck sound. Ill certainly buy another Dakota in a few years

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  Electical Gremlins - 2006 Dodge Durango
  By gchandkeh - October 23 - 12:02 pm

  My major complaint is all electrical. I have now had my 06 Durango in the shop twice for electrical issues. Radio turns down by itself, windshield wipers come on by themselves, tranny not shifting into gear, lights will flash when the car is not even on, ABS light coming on for no reason. Other than this I am satisfied.

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  You have to own it to understand - 2007 Dodge Charger
  By Michael - October 22 - 2:26 am

  Ive never had so much fun driving a car before. It is a car for the open road . All I can say is I bought it in feb 07 and I have 17000 miles on it. Love my Dodge.