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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  Better than its reviews - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Jerois - March 8 - 2:00 am

  This is a better car than it gets credit for. It is not as refined as others but the bottom line is that it is a good car and it is more fun than a Honda or Toyota. We got a new one for $11,500, well equiped, and its way more than 2/3rds of the other cars in its class.

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  neon - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By joepa2002 - March 8 - 2:00 am

  beatiful car could be more powerful but its good for commuting to and from work

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  Charger Notes - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Cusefan80 - March 7 - 5:00 pm

  Charger with 3.5L is a good balance between performance and practicality. Since I do a lot of city driving the HEMI scared me if gas prices go much higher. Have been an import owner for years so this car is a bit different. Love the exterior styling. Definitely could use more "gingerbread" features on the interior. The dash is nice but the interior is loaded with cheapish looking materials, even the "leather" seats appear to be more vinyl. Drives beautifully, nice and quiet and good pick-up. I got the power sunroof as to not feel closed in by its low windshield as I am a taller person.

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  Pretty dissapointed - 1997 Dodge Dakota
  By Justin - March 6 - 7:42 pm

  Got the truck 4 years ago with 29k now have 100k...Get the 5.2 or 5.9 if you get a 4x4. Have a extended cab 4x4 with the 3.9 and it is terrible, wont even stay over 70 in hilly areas or long trips.The design is beautiful and the build qaulity is good. no rattles, things broken etc...been in two wrecks and both times totaled other cars and simply busted my bumper (Mitsu Montero suv and a Toyota Camry. I have had a problem with the speedometer going crazy and the dealerships cannot figure it out. been in and out for 3 months, I am selling it....

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  10 years and still kicking - 1996 Dodge Dakota
  By John - March 5 - 8:35 pm

  I have owned this truck since new and will not be getting rid of it any time soon. The 1996 Dakota is a true mid size with all the guts of a full size. The v6 I have pulls and hauls as well as any small 8, and wile fuel milage around town is not great (who buys a truck for fuel mileage?) open road mileage is in the 20 mpg range. Over all I am very happy with my 96, both in performance and style. Just try to find a truck with chrome on both ends these days.

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  Not Bad! - 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By kekers - March 4 - 10:00 am

  The first year we had the van, we had to get work done on the electrical system (crossed wires). No other mechanical problems in 102000 miles. Quite difficult to change own spark plugs. We do have the phantom wipers, but that is not really a problem. I still get the same average gas mileage today as I did when I bought it almost 7 years ago (~20mpg). I have also used the back to haul drywall/couches,etc. Overall, not bad.

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  Great MPG! - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By stevcaro - March 3 - 9:25 pm

  I bought a new 2002 Altima that wasnt as nice overall as this car. The interior of the Stratus is nicer and more comfortable in my opinion. It dosent have the power but rides just as nice. This car has actually been a pleasant surprise.

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  Nice Truck/Family Car - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By Dean - March 3 - 2:42 pm

  This was my first car/truck I ever purchased new (right off the showroom floor)This truck has been very good to me. The only issue I have had with it was a starter that went out however the dealer fixed under warranty and have done nothing more then change the oil, put gas in it and drive. Although the box is fairly small it had been fine for me. If you plan to hall large planks of lumber you may want a p/u with a longer bed as 5 & 1/2 foot is not all that usesfull. Fuel economy has held pretty strong around the low 20s. Expecting much more then that from a truck is not really all that practical unless your comparing to a 4cyl S-10 or Ranger.

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  Shaky Start - 2002 Dodge Intrepid
  By Interpid SE - February 27 - 10:37 am

  When I bought this car, I thought I was getting a great deal on the car. After I brought the car home, the probs hit. Engine light comes on every other day, the oil light comes on after hard use of the car. Driver window will not work now. Thumping sound when breaking, and the CD player died the 3rd week. My friend keeps telling me that Dodges are great but after what I am seeing, I really dont know. The standard 6 in the engine bay has some pep. For being a larger car, it handles good, nothing like my old Ford Focus tho. Handles fair in the rain and it corners like a pig. Also watch out for dips in the road, car bottoms out some times.

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  Compromise - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Mustle Seeker - February 26 - 10:00 am

  First of all, this car is really good value for its price. but 2.7litle engine is a bit smalll to maneuvers around in the urban area. with your full accelation you will lose A/C power. so I have decided to buy a RT next year. This car is the car which I expect all SUV boomer to come back to old school station wagon style.