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:

• 

  165k and going - 2000 Dodge Intrepid
  By rhetorical tool - July 28 - 8:01 pm

  Purchased new in 2000, only in the shop a couple of times - water pump was biggest thing. Fun to drive, lots of interior room, excellent mileage for the size, nice styling. Still a daily driver.

• 

  Good Car.... - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By Gray - July 28 - 7:29 pm

  I bought the car from a friend 4 years ago back in 2006. So far no major problems. Everything works, no paint problems. Small coolant leak noticed a few weeks ago. I drive the car a lot. The gas mileage is great and the drive is pretty smooth too. My only complaint is the plain interior. Changed the rear rotors once. Thats the only major work we had to do. Overall, its a good car to have.

• 

  Its a good truck - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By rbc1965 - July 27 - 4:55 pm

  I purchased this truck new from dealer with 1.5 miles on it for $19,000.00 Cash. My Dodge is dependable. I crashed it pretty bad once and had the dealer fix it ($6000 for repairs). After 10 years it still drives like a new truck & has NEVER stuck me anywhere. I have owned A 75 Ford Courier, A 90 Mazda B2200 and this Dodge. The 1975 Ford was the best. The 2000 Dodge is second best. The 1990 Mazda was the worst. I have kept up the tune ups and oil changes and have never had a problem with it yet. The interior is a bit cheap with plastic parts(I broke the plastic Parking Brake Release Handle & Cup holder). Other than that I am very happy with the truck.

• 

  Horrible - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By Rich - July 27 - 2:51 pm

  Pretty sure I got a lemon. Ever since Ive had the thing something stays wrong with it, and every time I go to get something fixed its never fixed right the first time, no matter who the mechanic is, just an all around poor experience. Ill never do Dodge again. After 90,000 miles heres what has failed: Window gears broke leaking main seal leaking differential seal Both control arms replaced Throttle body problems(not sure what but cost me $1300 to fix, some sort of valve) ALL windows leak including windshield Transmission slips O2 sensors went out ECM failed Stabilizer bar joints worn out b/c seals failed Warped wheel bearing.

• 

  Firsty my Besty - 2000 Dodge Intrepid
  By Albert29 - July 26 - 4:00 pm

  Wow what an awesome car so much fun. im 18 I like fun cars and truthfully I didnt think this car would provide that! My father passed down the car to me after he purchased a Toyota. Now he misses the Intrepid! Its a very reliable car its never failed me once even. Probably because I maintain it very well. Its AMAZING in the snow it handles so nice! I still have it and will keep it till it dies! (if it ever does!) Fortunately my car is the 3.2 its an awesome motor plenty performance yet still surprisingly good on fuel economy. The only quirks are my digital climate control display is out and driver window squeaks but I love my Intrepid!!

• 

  My used Dakato 2007 v8 - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By mac - July 26 - 3:41 pm

  I bought this truck used and it had probably bee en in a rear end wreck but it didnt impact the car so i didnt care, it has a v8 4.7 and its so far been an awesome truck, i didst expect much but right now for how cheap it was its been a total bargain and its gone tons of power and looks great. The gas mileage is criminal but i use it to haul toys rarely and sometimes to and from work 5 miles so for me its ok, the v8 power doing 80 up hill towing passing the Nissans and toyatas going 45 is awesome.

• 

  Great Sub SUV - 2010 Dodge Nitro
  By Great Sub SUV - July 26 - 6:03 am

  I have had this vehicle for almost six months and I have had zero problems out of this vehicle. Lot of cargo room when you fold down the rear seats,plenty of leg room in the rear and in front. The 4.0l engine has plenty of power for me.I love this vehicle. Buy the Shock model with the 4.0l you will be happy.

• 

  Good work truck, good value - 2007 Dodge Dakota
  By crafty - July 25 - 9:43 pm

  Ive borrowed this truck from my uncle, sometimes driving it for a long distance. It has the 3.7 V6. I like how it looks and handles. It preforms good enough for me. Pretty good seat support and I kind of like how it drives. Fuel economy could easily be better. Overall, I think this is overall a good truck for a person who wants a mid sized pickup for daily driving and as a light/medium work truck. But yet again, it does have its flaws, like any other car. To sum up, I am pleased with the Dakota

• 

  Love It! - 2010 Dodge Nitro
  By Velocity1 - July 24 - 4:31 pm

  First its great looking. I have the Detonator Yellow with some chrome trim and the 20" wheels go real nice with it. I think it handles very well. I come from a tuner car that stuck to the road like glue and was impressed at how the Nitro handled some of my everyday driving maneuvers. There is lots of interior room and all the seats fold perfectly flat. The Nitros premium sound system has a great sub woofer. I have the 4.0 5-speed shiftable transmission and when I need to pass someone I step on the gas and mission accomplished. I think this Nitro fits a certain style and others who say they dont like it probably shouldnt have bought it to begin with! I give it 2 thumbs up!!

• 

  Dodge Challenger RT Rocks - 2010 Dodge Challenger
  By Roger - July 24 - 2:27 pm

  Absolutely love the car. Everywhere I go people are always checking out the car so if you want to fly under the radar, dont buy this Car. It runs great and sounds just as good. The other great thing is that you can put 3 full size people in the back without complaints about enough room. It has more than enough power and if you need more there is always cold air induction and predator tuners. Just got back from a long trip and the car got 27 mpg. If you like retro cars, you wont be disappointed.