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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  2000 DAKOTA SPORT - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By SUBMARINER - August 7 - 10:00 am

  I HAD MY DODGE DAKOTA SPORT EXTENDED CAB FOR 2.5 YEARS AND HAD A FEW PROBLEMS WITH IT. THE WORST OF WHICH WAS AT 30,000 MILES MY TANSMISSION FAILED AND THE TRUCK WAS IN THE SHOP FOR 3 WEEKS GETTIGN FIXED. NOW AT 52000 MILES THE SAME THING IS STARTING TO HAPPEN AGAIN, IT IS SHIFTING REALLY HARD.

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  Dodge Dakota Quad V6 4X4 - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By Dave - August 5 - 10:21 pm

  The interior is roomy and the rear seats are comfortable. Exterior styling is great and gets a lot of compliments. Performance is fair to poor. 15.5 mpg with A/C, less in winter in 4wd. Transmission performance is poor, shifts very hard when accelerating uphill. The truck seems to bounce down the road. I wont buy another Dodge truck.

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  Mine has been great - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By Happy - August 1 - 4:17 am

  I bought my ES 3.2L new in May 99. Weve had it for a little over 6 years now and just recently had to replace a transmission speed sensor. That is the only non-scheduled maintenance in 6 years! Guess I got a good one. We had it in Europe for 4 years and this thing will cruise the autobahn all day at 100 MPH with no problem. It really has been an exceptional family car for us.

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  Dodge Dakota - 1992 Dodge Dakota
  By Wade - July 31 - 12:23 am

  Fast for its day. Good towing ability. Plenty of power. Bring plenty of gas money. Extremely reliable.

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  Stay away from Dodge - 2002 Dodge Caravan
  By Lou - July 29 - 4:17 pm

  Considerably inexpensive. Paid half the price of a same year Honda van we purchased for my wifes use. Engine wise it is very peppy and economical. Very spacious for our family of 5. However, after 50,000 miles and 3 years, the evaporator and condenser needed replacing. $1000 dollars later the A/C was cooling satisfactory again. Soon I will tradeit in for a Honda van.

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  Very Good vehicle - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By Dan - July 28 - 10:33 am

  This is my first Dodge vehicle, and I can say I really like it. I found the Durango to have a funny look to it at first, however I have become accustom to it and now think it has a cool look. Coming form a Ford Explorer, I found the Durango handles and rides much better. I found the room inside to be very spacious and quite. I have the HEMI engine and it gives me unlimited power on the road ( I tow a trailer about 5,000lbs.) It is a gas hog, however thatÂ’s what you get for having the power. All in all, I have to say that I am very pleased with the Durango and would most likely buy it again.

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  dango - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By melissa fox - July 27 - 8:01 pm

  I like the room,and design. I love the way it rides higher, and performance in the V6 is good. The bad side is the gas mileage, and its a little rough on the ride, but I expected that.

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  Car of my dreams - 2005 Dodge Viper
  By Nei Stearns DMD - July 27 - 5:10 pm

  The most fun car Ive ever owned. I had a 2000 Corvette coupe and a 2002 Zo6 Vette.Both were great cars but felt like any normal car. The Viper give me the excitment and fun I was looking for! To drive this car makes you feel alive.This is a car that you have to drive and control. The power and acceleration reminds me of taking off on a jet airliner!

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  I love my Caravan - 1997 Dodge Caravan
  By Julie Lorentz - July 25 - 9:49 pm

  I have had very good luck with my Caravan. I am disabled, and the 4 door design allows me to easily load my walker in the side door. I need a vehicle I can trust, and my Caravan has proven itself trustworthy. When the time comes, I plan to replace it with another Caravan.

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  A fine first car - 1996 Dodge Avenger
  By jmoy - July 24 - 5:15 pm

  The Avenger was my first car out of college, and its still going at 140,000 miles (9yrs.). It corners nimbly, and possesses great sport styling. Its athletic veneer, however, belies its pedestrian engine performance Its pretty slow from 0- 60. unless youre drag racing, It boasts sufficient passing power on freeways. The tranny has given me fits: I replaced it at 95K and am starting to have problems again at 140K. I also replaced the water pump once and all the 02 sensors twice now. Overall, however, its been a fairly decent car. I think it can last another year plus.