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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  Reliable Durango without hemi - 2001 Dodge Durango
  By M1a1commander - December 13 - 12:49 pm

  I purchased this Durango the week before 9-11-01. I put 24,000 miles the first 2 years. The vehicle did not have any issues the first 3 years. I did get 17-19 MPG on the highway. The cloth interior is better and longer lasting than the leather. The price of the Durango Sport was the best deal compared to the Ford Explorer Sport. I paid $21,000 for it new. Now, in Dec, 2005 The only issue I had was replacing the front wheel bearings. The clunking I heard was not the ball-joint issue I had received as a possible recall item. The Durango continues to have great overall reliability. I like the style better than the fatter Durango. Why get a hemi if it weighs 500 lbs more?

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  Funner than a rodeo - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By Joeb612 - December 12 - 2:23 pm

  This is my first 4wd vehicle and I have to say that the ride is different than the Lexus RX300 I was driving. It is far better suited to the climate I live in. I have not suffered from the dreaded stopping on a hill and not being able to creep forward due to tire slipage. The 11.7 mpg city hurts a little, but overall a far more usfull vehicle. The third row seating w fold up second row makes for great movie watching for the kids on long drives. gives them lots of play room and still gives you room for a couple suitcases behind the third row.

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  Great Car - 2005 Dodge Stratus
  By Great Car - December 5 - 7:56 am

  This is a great car. I have owned lots of cars and I think this is about my favorite. I think they should put better tires on though, as mine has 18,000 miles and look like racing slicks. Goodyear Eagle LS was not a wise choice. Brakes had to be replaced at 11,000 miles. But other than that I love this car. Sometimes i find myself taking the long way home because i just enjoy driving this car. Oh yeah.... when new... be ready to pay for some gas till it has about 5,000 miles.... felt like I was trying to keep gas in a V8 instead of a 4cyl.

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  Just ok - 1991 Dodge Dynasty
  By dodgedynasty91 - December 4 - 11:36 pm

  I bought the car from a Nissan dealership...they said an older couple traded it in. It had 101,000 miles, took it home, changed the oil, it appears the dealer put something in it to cover up a valve tap, so after changing the oil it started tapping. Later the odometer broke. Transmission started shifting hard, had a problem where it wouldnt start well. Overall it would go anywhere, it just had alot of glitches..

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  106,000 strong and still going - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By John - December 2 - 8:11 pm

  I bought this as my first car back in may 2001. This can be a good first car for a teenager, college student or anyone looking for affordable transportation at a low price. The fuel economy is very good for this car. It has been very reliable for the 5 years that I have owned it so far. I had to replace the cylinder head gasket, rotors, brakes,electrical soleniod, and pcm. I regularly maintain it with oil changes, tire rotations, and tune ups. Even though certain things may break in this car, the maintenance costs sre very low. The acceleration is good and the braking and turning radius are good.

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  Loving it! - 1997 Dodge Dakota
  By Scott - December 1 - 6:24 pm

  I have only owned the Dakota for a few months but those few have been awesome! The truck has not given me any problems and is a blast to drive. The V6 has given me plenty of power and the truck holds the road great. The only thing I would want to change is the gas mil1age... 11.5mpg for a V6 is horrible.

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  Dodge DUrango lover - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By Sue - December 1 - 5:43 pm

  Love my Durango, Its hemi makes it feel like a sporty vehicle gas mileage is bad..... 14 mpg per highway. Tows like a champ. Overall a great vehicle without the SUV feel.

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  Beware at 50k - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By jb - December 1 - 4:54 pm

  This car was an absolute steal when I got it and I had it dubbed as the best compact Ive ever owned and Ive had em all. Until 50k - major short in the electrical system causes brainbox fuse to blow during, now get this rt hand turns only! 30 labor hours already (800.00) invested and still no one can find the fix. Cant wait until its repaired and back to normal because it was a great car until 50k.

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  What a SUV - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By tkymasters - November 28 - 10:00 am

  Great on Performance and Control. What a big difference from the 2002 models. Stiffer frame makes the handling amazing. This D. rides more like a minivan than a truck. The HEMI is the best feature Dodge ever thought of, A+++. Overall.. the Durango Limited is a great buy. I cant seem to slow down!!

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  Not a good buy - 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By melliann - November 27 - 11:10 pm

  We have had nothing but issues since we got it, going through brake pads like crazy, had to replace the transmission twice, and be careful how far away you are from other drivers because the brakes are really squishy, so bad that it caused me to get into a fender bender and now hubby thinks it is totaled! Oh joy - NOT!