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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  THink Before you buy this Problem.... - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By John - December 18 - 11:51 am

  We bought this car in 2003 BRAND NEW...No problems the 1st 40k miles, different story after that. We had to have a new transmission/radiator at 63k miles, then the car completely fell apart after that, seriously every month there was something else breaking...suspension/ignition/cooling system. This was BY FAR the worst car we ever owned....If you want a cheap car, consider a civic or corolla because in the long run, you will POUR MONEY into this car... We will be trading it in december 09 to buy a honda. I WOULD NOT recommend anyone buy a neon that has over 60k miles on it(dodge strategically made the powertrain warranty 50k)

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  very good bargain - 2005 Dodge Caravan
  By navy jim - December 18 - 10:50 am

  I reviewed this vehicle in early 2005. Now have 69,000 miles and nearly 5 years later on this vehicle. I am just as impressed with it as I was then. Normal maintenance is all thats been required. Get 23 to 25 miles on the highway and 21 in town. I am more than pleased with it in all aspects. Its been a cheap, dependable, fun car to drive. I take good care of it and maintain it regularly.

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  DURANGO FEVER - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By FICA - December 18 - 10:00 am

  MY WIFE AND I TRADED A 2000 DURANGO ON A NEW 2004 DURANGO. WHAT A DIFFERENCE 4 YEARS OF ENGINEERING CAN MAKE! THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS HAVE THE BEST HEADRESTS ON THE MARKET.SECOND ROW SEATS RECLINE FOR THOSE LONG TRIPS.THIRD ROW IS STILL COMFORTABLE FOR MOST ADULTS.THE 8 SPEAKER SUROUND SOUND SYSTEM IS AWSOME! AND IF YOU HAVE KIDS YOU MUST HAVE THE OVERHEAD DVD PLAYER WITH THE WIRELESS HEADSETS.YOU WILL NEVER HERE "ARE WE THERE YET" AGAIN! YOU CAN TAKE THAT TO THE BANK!

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  2nd dakota - 2008 Dodge Dakota
  By bluedak - December 18 - 8:10 am

  Bought this 08 crew cab to replace my 01 ext. Cab due to growing family. I loved my 01, and this one is starting to grow on me. The new 4.7 has much more power than the prior version. I have 28k on the truck, and no mechanical problems yet. I guess my 2 gripes with the 08 are the interior feels a little cheap (few rattles from arm rest and more plasticky overall than my 01). And the 05 to current dakotas sit too low to the ground, esp. Compared to Tacoma and frontier. But I like it overall and would buy my 3rd Dakota in the future. Mpg 16-17 in mixed driving, similar to my 01 4.7, except with about 70 more hp.

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  I love this car! - 2010 Dodge Journey
  By Kathy - December 17 - 3:30 pm

  In November I went car shopping, tried this car & loved it. After I bought it, I read the 2009 reviews & thought what have I done. This vehicle is very roomy & comfortable. The price was right and gas mileage is good. Very quiet & comfortable ride.

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  The Bomb! - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Melissa & Josh - December 17 - 8:26 am

  My husband just bought me the Charger R/T for Christmas and I love it! It passes other cars with ease. I love the autostick. It is great for passing others! I would highly recomend others to buy this car. I guarantee you will never regret it!

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  Love it - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Keith - December 17 - 1:49 am

  Bought the 2 litre turbo-deisel model and getting the promised 6 litres to 100km. The motor is 100% reliable and I still have the original tyres at 46,000km (approx 29,000 miles. Maybe we got the export quality version, but everything looks good and goes well, only standard servicing costs spent, and we are about to travel across Australia in it with complete confidence. I did test drive the 1.8 petrol and found that wanting in power, but I can assure you that this one has plenty of go. Im a 6 footer and am very comfy. I cant understand why some complain so bitterly about it. Hey, and Im an Aussie supporting the US motor industry!!

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  Do NOT buy thisTruck - 2008 Dodge Nitro
  By CJ621 - December 16 - 7:45 pm

  My Nitro has had problems from the get go. 2 months after purchase the d/s door lock literally fell apart. The truck is lock & unlocked with the remote?? The gas tank now spews gas when filled. Dealer said it was a "defect" but we are no looking at a total of 3 days in service and they REFUSE to offer me a loaner!! This is a SAFETY issue. The fuel filler neck needs to be replaced. I was also informed that the radio has to be replaced as well...This truck is 16 months old! With ALL issues it’s a total of 5-6 days in service and NO help with a loaner. They are, bit by bit rebuilding this truck...EVERYTHING is a "defect" Worse vehicle I have ever owned! Do not recommend

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  Built Farm Tough - 2006 Dodge Dakota
  By Farm Tough - December 16 - 2:04 pm

  Bought this truck new in 2006, a great truck with around 180,000 miles on it. Had to have right tie rod replaced at 10,000 miles. This truck is a heavy off-road vehicle and a moderate highway driver. It is used to pull daily, with trailer loads up to 8500 lbs. This truck has taken a beating and yet still runs strong. It flooded over the 2008 summer and it sat halfway under water for 2 weeks. This is a true farm truck

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  These cars can go a long way - 2003 Dodge Intrepid
  By David E - December 16 - 11:36 am

  We purchased this car for my daughter with 177000 miles. These miles were accumulated mostly be a salesman in rural Oklahoma. Shortly after we purchased it, we had to replace the alternator. I have replaced one of the mirrors where my daughter backed into a pole at Sonic. All new drivers should have cars with black mirrors so they dont have to go to the body shop for mirror replacement. Car has a huge back seat. My daughter complains about lack of power merging onto the interstate. If we get anywhere near the Edmunds private party price for this car, it will have exceeded our expectations for value. Presently has 193,000 miles.