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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  05RT - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By wilson5 - May 27 - 2:33 am

  A comfortable, fun, fast, cool looking car with so so build and material quality.

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  Given up on Dodge - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By Chuck - May 25 - 4:10 pm

  Thought I would "buy American" and get the Dodge Dakota 4 dr crew. Love its style, comforts, more power than I need (4.7L V8) 2WD has no traction in snow or ice. Very easy to drive and comfortable 6ft.2 220lbs.(2 trips NJ to Calif.) Gas mileage stinks...13-18mpg, no loads. Brake rotors replaced 28K, Left top ball joint worn (no recall yet)A/C needed charging, Right front hub and bearings replaced 49K, rear leaf spring noisy, transmission hesitation occasionally. Great truck to drive and haul but reliability really in question with only 49K. Probably back to Nissan or Toyota.

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  Served Me Well - 1999 Dodge Dakota
  By earkahuna - May 24 - 6:49 pm

  Ordered with features I wanted. Lots of commuting miles so I purchased the 6 clyinder. Interior room better than later models. Nothing extraordinarily expensive to fix. Able to be serviced by local mechanics. Based on record would buy a Dodge again.

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  3.9 Auto Quad Cab - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By Girraween - May 24 - 6:43 pm

  My wife and I bought our Dakota brand new as our first new vehicle. We have been quite happy with the room and reliability of this truck. Because we have three girls 6 and under, we have the base model and we dont think we have suffered at all. We have traveled cross country twice with no problems. Aside from a few warranty items I have not had any major problems with this truck.

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  Great Family Car with Room to Grow - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By RT - May 24 - 9:20 am

  I love my Journey! This is our first crossover, moving up from a 4 dr car that just didnt have enough space with two car seats. I have 1500 miles on the odometer and average 22-23 mpg hwy, 19 city. Note that I accelerate slowly (dont get the RPM up to 3000 very often), coast when possible, use cruise, etc, to maximize fuel economy. If you like to rev it, dont expect to get great gas mileage. My 62" hubby and I (55") are both comfortable riding in this vehicle for extended periods. With the front seat pushed all the way back, there is still ample room for a toddler seat in the back. As for the blind spot, check your mirrors, turn and look, recheck mirrors, and its not an issue.

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  Brakes, Oil, and front end - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Steve-O - May 23 - 12:06 pm

  This car has been useful to us. The stow and go appeal is practical for our family of five. Its utility cannot be denied. I have replaced the front rotors at 30k, and at 50k, and we now have to watch the oil level as it will creep to the minimum "add a quart" line on the dipstick just prior to reaching 3k on the oil & filter change. Tie Rods and steering assembly failures are not uncommon amongst our circle of friends who own them. So, good design, some cheap parts in the front assembly and brake rotors make these problems prolific in this model. If you know that and understand it going in, youll be fine.

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  Best New Car Ive Ever Owned - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Steve6887 - May 23 - 2:26 am

  Bought new 51 weeks ago; run 27000 miles already, mostly my 50-mile daily commute down the I-5 in So. Cal each day, plus three trips to Vegas, and city errand/kids school carpool driving etc. This is the only new car (of six Ive owned)that has not had any defects or problems whatsoever. The original Firestone 18" performance tires still have plenty of service life left, and surprisingly so do the original brakes. The only service has been oil changes every 5K miles ($17 at the Dodge dlr, not bad for OEM) My 16 yr old daughter thinks this car is cool. Definitely get the R/T though, as added amenities, bigger engine, autostick, and 4wheel disc brakes are crucial for the enjoyment of this car.

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  Dodge Dakota SLT Quad Cab 4.7L - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By CRay - May 22 - 4:10 am

  Ive only had the 05 Dakota for month. Except for the headrest, I love the seats. I have the power drivers seat. Interior space is very good. However, the interior has too much of what appears to be low grade plastic including the door handles. The cup holders in the floor console is a joke and does not hold cups. Didnt find this out until after I purchased.

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  Dodge Dakota Quad Cab V8 - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By JC - May 21 - 5:27 am

  Great vehicle overall. Used mostly for trips to the local Home Depot but can still comfortably seat 4 for family trips. Plus package with 4.7 V8 and wide tires makes for plenty of acceleration and good handling. Fun to drive, quick and sure-footed.

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  Fifteen passenger van - 2002 Dodge Ram Wagon
  By Mike Sova - May 20 - 10:00 am

  Purchased the van in Florida with 16,000 miles on the odometer ($16,000). At 25,000 miles the air conditioning quit and both front control arms broke. Both items were fixed by a dealer in Michigan at no cost to us. We purchased the van to pull a 3800 lb (empty) horse trailer. It does this with ease. It will carry a seemingly infinite amount of cargo (seats are back in Fla.) Overall my wife and I are happy with the vehicle.