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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  From SHO to Durango - 2001 Dodge Durango
  By N8ECH - January 21 - 10:29 am

  Purchased my 01 Dark Garnet SLT+ in August of 03 w/25k. I find that the 4.7 motor has plenty of power as well as "good musclecar sound" for the hot rodder in me. You get a good view of the road due to sitting up higher, but the A pillars are wide and provide a blind spot to be watched. Only two items I would change if I could are get the 4 wheel ABS (the 2wABS is useless). I would also get the full time 4wd xfer case. Mileage is about the same either way, and since you paid for 4x4 why not be able to use it all the time. Only service issues as of 56k are leaking steering rack, aux coolant pump ,and upper ball joints under recall. Mileage is 9-12 in town, and 16-18 hwy.

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  Run of the mill sedan - 2001 Dodge Stratus
  By Dave - January 21 - 9:32 am

  Very frusturating car to own. Ive experienced steering and electrical problems from day one. Blower fan not working on all speeds, radio turning on/off by itself, rear defroster problems. Had to replace the rack and pinion at 42,000 miles. Transmission pan to low to ground making it easy to bottom out resulting in leaks.

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  Nice Truck except for the Problems - 2006 Dodge Dakota
  By 2ndLDDodge - January 20 - 7:44 pm

  I downsized from a Ram to a Dakota for better gas mileage. Stuck with Dodge due to the reliability of my old Ram. Unfortunately, my Dakota has been in the shop ten times over the last year. Three for wheel vibrations that appear to be fixed for now, and seven for belt problems that still are not resolved. Belt tensioner broke at 4000 miles. Since then it has been through three additional belts and in-and-out of the shop for belt squeel when making tight turns in parking lots. Should have contacted a Lemon-Law attorney before it went out of waranty as a friend has the same truck and has never experienced this problem. Other than that, its a pleasure to drive, and looks great too.

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  Not Bad!! - 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Triangletalk - January 20 - 10:00 am

  We have driven our van from coast to coast repeatedly and have had relatively little trouble with it. We did have a transmission seal leak the first year but it was covered under warrenty. We are at 111,120 miles now and the transmission needs replacing. This time its on my dime. So far so good!

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  I loved it, just a couple minor issues. - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By Chris Jensen - January 19 - 11:48 am

  I bought one of the first cars available. I loved the muscle car look. I buy my cars probably 75% on appearance first and go from there. The Dodge Stratus R/T has been fun to drive and still is. As far as problems in my fourth year as a Florida resident (heat) my dash started cracking in 3 spots and continues to worse all the time. The turning radius is awful with all the U-turns required in Florida. Front bumper catches on parking curbs constantly almost ripping it up. Other than these minor issues the rest of the car has been awesome and at that time in my life would do over again.

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  I will probably always own a Dakota! - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By chriscat870 - January 19 - 8:01 am

  First Dodge and 3rd pickup Ive owned. The other 2 were full size. They were a waste of money! The V6 only has 25 fewer horses than the V8 and gets about 18-19 mpg. Put a K&N filter and some exhaust and youll get your horses back with even better mpg! Next to an Audi A6 Quattro, this is the funnest vehicle I have ever driven! It holds the road like a sports car, but carries cargo without strain. It does not do well in wet conditions, but that can be fixed with better tires. The fact that this model was viturally unchanged for 10 years should be a testament to the appeal of its looks.

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  For the Kids - 2006 Dodge Durango
  By 4theKIDS - January 18 - 12:46 pm

  I haul football players all the time. This SUV has been to LA four times in two months with a load of kids and lots of equipment. I love the ride. The teenagers do not have a problem in the third row, nor is there a complaint as I got this SUV at the same price as I purchased a 2005 Honda Accord. I do wish the fuel was better. I have the low end SUV, but still have all power and room for 7! I must also state that I am a real estate agent, and this SUV may not have been one of the high end utilities that my peers have but I look just as good!

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  Awesome Vehicle - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Carby w/ SXT - January 17 - 11:22 pm

  Perfect vehicle. Roomy and safe for family. Fun to drive and cool as well The 3.5L HO V6 has plenty to motivate this car and decent fuel mileage for so much power and torque. The 5 speed tranny (Mercedes sourced) is silky smooth and the auto-stick is fun when you feel like taking a little more control. I want to drive this car forever.

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  My Durango - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By idengale - January 17 - 10:40 pm

  has towing pkg which gives it slow acceleration, poor gas milage(14mpg, a little stiff but fun to drive. really tight turning radius very easy to manipulate in traffic, roomy.

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  Dodge Grand Caravan SE - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By thats a dodge! - January 17 - 6:03 pm

  This is a very sharp minivan. Ive had it for a week so far and my wife and I love it! IÂ’m not impressed too much with the acceleration too much when passing, but the engine still has to break in. I researched the 0 to60 for this van and it was over 10sec