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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  Good, solid, mid-sized truck - 1995 Dodge Dakota
  By Fantastic Truck - June 25 - 10:13 am

  V6, Auto, Purchased with 120k miles, now just past 200k. I have performed regular maintenance. Good solid truck that I have used to tow, commute, travel, and frequently pull my buddies trucks out of the snow banks/mud. Currently on loan to my sister who has discovered that she likes driving it far more than she ever expected. It is finally starting to show rust (darn it). Replaced since purchase: pitman arm, timing chain, water pump, alternator, heater blower, radio, windshield, brakes, shocks, exhaust, all fluids, plugs, wires, coil, and window motor.

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  Good Truck - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By Elaine Boidi - June 23 - 9:39 am

  Truck has been very sound. No problems mechanically, just normal wear and tear. Other than the gas mileage I love it.

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  Its been good for a family of 5 - 1999 Dodge Caravan
  By joe - June 22 - 10:19 am

  I have owned this Grand Caravan for 7 years and bought it used in 2000 off of Hertz. Have had 1 major A/C repair in 7 years. Speed sensor has gone twice. Other than that just normal wear and tear maintenance. Pretty reliable, roomy and a nice ride. 25mpg highway from FL to NY. 18 around town.

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  Poor MPG - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Pete - June 21 - 8:43 pm

  I drive 90% highway and the best MPG i have averaged is 22 MPG. Do not buy this van if you want 26 MPG. It does not exist.

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  Expensive brand new, but OK overall - 1997 Dodge Neon
  By Kayla - June 13 - 10:32 pm

  Im the original owner and this is the first car that did not have a lot of problems at all. Had the car for 10 years and plan to keep it for my son. Yes, the doors with no frame are a little disappointing. They leak a bit when raining and its noisy when driving, but overall the car has been doing OK. I just had some regular jobs done on it. Recently put a new engine, but hey, its been 10 years! The paint is still in great condition, I have the hunter green. My 16 year old son likes it and looks forward to having it for himself, and this is a manual car!

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  Solid ride for the money - 2001 Dodge Durango
  By s-works - June 12 - 5:43 am

  I bought this Durango with just under 100K on the clock. Had the tranny serviced when I did, and shes run fairly well since for a $10K car. Ive had problems with the weak AC (tried everything, nothing seems to work), and poor cooling (had overheated twice, both times on hot summer days, on the highway). 4X4 is amazing, with low setting in the transfer case, able to extract itself from frame-rail deep mud. Mileage OK, 15 while commuting to work, 18 on the highway. Interior perfect for growing family and dogs. Seats 7, but can be parallel parked by anyone. Ride is somewhat trucklike, but expected from a body-on-frame design like this. A best fit for comfort, convenience + capability.

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  06 Magnum - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By Phil - June 10 - 12:03 am

  My SXT AWD is the most fun auto Ive ever owned. It has head-turning style and a performance package that allows the car to be a king on the road.

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  Buy One! - 1999 Dodge Viper
  By handyman - June 8 - 6:39 pm

  I bought this car last summer and have loved it. Its my weekend car, but my wife and I drove it on a long trip and it was very comfy. Huge power, huge attention, lots of fun!

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  Sweet - 1997 Dodge Neon
  By Christi3435 - June 6 - 6:15 pm

  Awesome car! Especially when swapped with a 2.4L! The SOHC engine that was in it was virtually indestructible. Interior was a little plain and goofy, but you can swap any year neon (including the SRT-4) seats into it.

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  Bad Transmission & 3.0L Timing Belt - 1998 Dodge Caravan
  By Sound Advice - June 6 - 3:32 pm

  Trade-in or sell your Caravan before 100K miles. Reason - the transmission will go out and cost you $2K to replace. If you are unfortunate to have the 3.0L engine ... change your timing belt every 60K miles otherwise this "interference engine" is going to self-destruct one day on you after the timing belt breaks! (Seems the pistons keep moving and slam into the valves,walls,whatever they can hit ... when the timing belt breaks) I really like the Caravan, but if there is a next one it is going to be traded-in or sold before 90K miles. 3.0L engine owners ... it is a ticking time bomb under your hood. Dont believe me ... ask a decent mechanic about the 3.0L interference engine!