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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  Gas mileage - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By Joel - August 26 - 1:35 am

  I love my truck and the way it rides. The only problem is the gas mileage. I might get 17 MPG on the highway if Im lucky. Thats driving around 60 to 70 MPH with the tailgate down. Ive talked to others who own a Dakota and they average about the same.

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  King of Bang for the Buck - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By SRTified - August 25 - 1:32 pm

  What a great little car! Stuff a 2.4L Turbo, heavy duty trans and limited slip diff underhood, then add a good suspension, different styling, and viola - the perfect FWD performance deal. Ive been getting about 27 mpg after the engine break-in. No problems to date. Exhaust is a bit loud, but I kind of like it. It doesnt drone on the expressway. Handling is darn good for a FWD car, and brakes are terrific. It has the Kicker/Livin Loud stereo, and sounds very good! I would prefer to be able to turn the sub up a bit. Cant go wrong for the money!

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  Grand Caravan - 2006 Dodge Caravan
  By Daniel Brown - August 24 - 4:37 pm

  I have been less than pleased witht the performance of this vehicle. Steering is loose and out of control when traveling on curvy roads. Dodge still uses rocker switches for windows, children have been killed using these things. They have put them on a vertical surface which increases safety, however it also decreases ergonomics. Airconditioner and radio controls are too low and force the driver to look down, nearly to the floorboard. The power sliding doors are also in need of improvement. Setting these things aside, the van drives well on straight roads and the stow and go seating is a good idea, however the seats are uncomfortable.

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  Sorry to see it go - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By adeldrip - August 23 - 10:54 pm

  I bought the Intrepid off lease at 17,000 miles. Yes I went through the warranty window motors, big deal. The 2.7 engine NEVER gave me any trouble. The car handled well, I loved driving it. I finally had to trade it off after 115,000 miles. Its TERRIBLE driving on gravel roads. If you live in the country dont buy it, the fan fills up with mud and it takes hours to clean up. Its too close to the ground and it leaks dust in the car.

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  My car - 2001 Dodge Neon
  By Just y - August 22 - 5:11 pm

  I bought my Neon during the spring of 2003. I drove it out to Houston and from there to southern California as well as all the driving around the cities. I also drove it 50 miles one way to work 5 days a week. I have 108,600 miles on my Neon and it is still running like it was when I bought it with 33,000 miles on it. I have never had to do any major repairs. It is the best car I have ever owned. I really enjoy it.

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  Love it--source of wind noise known - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By apstockley - August 19 - 1:13 am

  I love ours! Two kids= dual DVDs, game plugs, Sirius radio/Backseat TV a lifesaver for our long, long road trips. Bucket swivels in 2nd row. Plenty of room for four adults, 2 kids on trips! Lots of storage! Back camera perfect for city/parallel parking! Toyota/Honda users always want to check out our Dodge (we paid so much less for so much more!). Wind noise/rattles = reseal the front window! Done! No noise ever again! (Warranty covers it.) LOVE our DGC!!

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  Glad I bought it - 1998 Dodge Caravan
  By InnAtVt33 - August 18 - 9:24 pm

  I bought my 1998 Caravan SE a little over a year ago and have had no problems at all. The first thing I did when I got it was to have the tranny flushed. With Dodge, my mechanic recommends every 20,000 miles. Lots of cargo space with the seats removed. I do wish the gas mileage was better. This is my 3rd van but the first with 4 doors and I love it. It may be almost 8 years old, but it still feels new when you get in. The interior has held up very well. I have thought about going back to a car but dont think I can. SUVs feel too truck like for me. My van gives a very comfortable ride. With less than 50,000 miles on it I think its a keeper.

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  Fun Full size car. - 1994 Dodge Intrepid
  By Brian M. Genthner - August 14 - 9:32 pm

  My 94 Dodge Intrepid is fun to drive and comfortable. Ive owned it for two years and the only problems Ive had was that the drums stick or a spring in the drum brakes breaks but I like the disc. It hugs the road very well. It has 164,000 miles and it still runs good plus its 3.3L is easier to work on than the 3.5L the my father has in his 1993 Eagle Vision the he has had cooling problems with. If you want a good car that will be there and that is good in snow, get an Intrepid.

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  srt-4 - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By trekguy - August 14 - 10:00 am

  Just purchased it 2 days ago and have 190 miles on the odometer. Very fast, although i HAVE YET BEEN ABLE TO SPIN THE WHEELS (maybe the LSD will not permit that). Car is very comfortable, and I love the racing seats. Brakes stop excellent. Paint is almost flawless, but the sound system could be better-price is GREAT!

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  What a toilet - 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Dave - August 13 - 10:20 pm

  100000 miles and many of them to and from the shop. Fuel pump failure, belt tensioner failure, starter failure, brake jobs every 15K; its one thing after another. Interior is nice, comfortable, but the wind noise necessitates cranking the volume to hear the music. Brakes are terrible, feels like the car isnt going to stop, and handles like a truck. Has a lot of room for hauling, and when you step on it, it has power (3.8L eng).Wife likes it though the mechanical failures have put us in the market for a new van--NOT a Caravan. Anybody want to buy a Sport model Caravan?