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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  Satisfied so far - 1998 Dodge Stratus
  By sabrina - August 13 - 7:20 pm

  I bought my 98 Dodge Stratus 3 years ago and have had slim to no problems with it. I have had to have the fan belt tightened, and at around 90k miles I had to have new spark plugs and wires, thats it. It is good on gas and is a smooth ride. I will probabaly get another Dodge.

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  Strut Towers - 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Caravangh - August 12 - 4:30 pm

  If you have a Dodge Minivan, you have rusted Strut Towers. The over all Van is in great working order, run good, look good. BUT than you look under the hood WOW RUST like you have never seen before. The Strut Towers are so badly rusted around the top, Im afraid one day my strut is going into orbit.

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  Great Car for the Price - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Acerx1 - August 11 - 7:46 pm

  Probably one of the quietest cars in its class. Stunning with the 19 in chrome wheels. More storage than I could ever use. I love the green LED floor board lights, handy if you drop something. A fun car to drive...love that Auto Stick...Im used to rowing my own gears. Cool the way the middle seats pop up and forward out of the way. The wide opening door are great getting grandma in and out but you must watch the kids opening them to far in tight parking lots. Overall I love this car. Waiting for the Chrysler version.

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  My best investment - 1997 Dodge Neon
  By Dee - August 10 - 8:03 pm

  I bought my Neon new in 97. Aside from normal maintenance such as tires, brakes, etc., the single only repair I have had to make was replacing my starter at 90k miles. I love my Neon and would gladly purchase another. Key point: take care of it. My oil was changed regularly with protective additives routinely. I havent even had so much as a belt break. I drive about 200 miles a day for work 4 days a week now, and I am thankful for this car and its dependability.

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  40k and falling apart - 2001 Dodge Durango
  By Killianinc - August 9 - 1:23 am

  40,000 miles and lets see... The cruise control cuts off and on, the left side window has stuck closed a time or two, the rear wiper is inoperable, and the horn blows and lights flash when driving below 8 mph. I love going to Wal Mart in this one. I get lots of attention and gestures. Gotta trade it soon. I do like the looks and the performance. Gas mileage is terrible, but most SUVs are.

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  Awesome, reliable car! - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By cac - August 8 - 6:08 am

  We bought our Intrepid with 113k miles and it now has 144k and is still going strong. A very comfortable trip car, with no problems at all. Just stay up with the oil changes!

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  Dodge 2003 Stratus Sedan - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By Ed Eberl - August 8 - 2:00 am

  Attractive car, but Chrysler still cannot seem to get it together 100% like my Mazda and former Honda. Her is some excamples. Windshield wipers not designed to set down they set up about 2inches on the glass on the passenger side. Rear seat cushions not properly fabric fitted, buldges. Power windows go up to far. Electronic issues, apparently still being developed, like the idle control and automated gear shifts.

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  owned olded models + this 2004 - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By pedersen - August 8 - 2:00 am

  this truck has a good all around use, has power and fun to drive. This truck is not for long drives if your tall.

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  Too soon to tell ?? - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By ggk86 - August 7 - 9:23 pm

  I was put off at first by the very plastic interior. We added leather seats to the mid line and it seems to help it not look so cheap. I tried not to judge gas mileage too low because it was my choice not to buy a compact car. But some bad news, it has been in the shop twice now. Once for a back seat that would not slide forward and today for a brake light that will not go out. The seat could have happen while they were putting on leather but ...

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  Not satisfied - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By sutchman - August 7 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned my Durango for 3 1/2 years. It is great for transporting the family and hauling things. The breaks are still good after 31,000 miles. I would not by another one though because of the gas mileage and I had it to the dealer 5 times for the master cylinder, 4wd light, serpentine belt, clicking in steering wheel, and the head gasket (twice).