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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  Dakota 4WD - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By james - March 7 - 10:36 am

  The 2000 model Dodge Dakota is a nice powerful little truck. The truck that I have has the upgraded 4.7L V8 option. The independent front suspension was not designed to greatley. I own an ATV which is older and has same type of suspension and takes way more abuse than my truck and has still outlived it and outdone it. The small V8 doesnt have the enough stock power. After I added dual exhaust and a K&N upgrade, it performed more to my approval. The 4wd needs to come with extra stock lift like the full size 4wds. The transmission I have is a standard, and it doesnt have the strangth to handle the V8s power. A heavier duty transmission is a must, possibly even a 6-speed.

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  Great work truck - 1997 Dodge Ram Van
  By Phone Man - March 6 - 6:03 am

  Just want to say this has been a good van for our company bought with around 100k currently has 232k still on original engine 5.9 with overdrive. Van hauls all our equipment well with room to spare, pulls trailer fair. Just been a good reliable rig.

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  STX is a SMART BUY - 2004 Dodge Caravan
  By Lisa/Matt NJ - March 1 - 6:14 pm

  Have had van for 10 months, aside from taking it back to dealer for a cracked vacuum line and a leak where the oil filter mounts to the engine the van has been trouble free. This is our second Sport model and we love it. Rides great and is the perfect size for our 2 kid family. Love rear split seats. Love price and styling. Would buy it again.

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  Satisfied Customer - 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Rob Melhorn - February 25 - 5:36 am

  Our van was a solid performer and had great flexibility. Hauled a family of six and luggage on vacation and was able to carry lumber and sheets of plywood after removing the seats. We had fun with our van and are getting a new replacement.

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  Great Big Car - 1997 Dodge Intrepid
  By Interpitor - February 25 - 2:23 am

  This is my first Dodge product out of 24 vehicles I have owned and can say I am plesantly suprized.... Tons of Interior room, Fantastic highway gas mileage and feels like you have a car under you when you drive it... I highly recommend this car... I have had no major problems other then 2 Oxygen sensors needing replacement... they are a bit costly but not a problem... They are easy to find so you can be selective and get them for really good prices... The exterior styling looks good and doesnt seem to be dated... I have the 3.3L which is a great and SIMPLE engine

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  Great Big Car - 1997 Dodge Intrepid
  By Interpitor - February 25 - 2:23 am

  This is my first Dodge product out of 24 vehicles I have owned and can say I am plesantly suprised.... Tons of Interior room, Fantastic highway gas mileage and feels like you have a car under you when you drive it... I highly recommend this car... I have had no major problems other then 2 oxygen sensors needing replacement... they are a bit costly but not a problem... They are easy to find so you can be selective and get them for really good prices... The exterior styling looks good and doesnt seem to be dated... I have the 3.3L which is a great and SIMPLE engine

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  Nice minivan - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Pete - February 24 - 6:20 pm

  I bought this Caravan used with 21K miles for thousands less than a Sienna or Odyssey. Ive put 60K miles on it and have not had any major problems. Other than regular oil/filter changes, I have replaced an EGR valve($100) and spark plug wires($60). Granted resale value is lower than Honda and Toyota, but I am pleased with the reliability. Great value. I would definitely buy another late model, low mileage used Caravan.

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  The medium truck that could - 1993 Dodge Dakota
  By Robert Dunbar - February 23 - 2:54 am

  I bought this truck about a year ago. I am very pleased with the truck overall, it really can haul with the Magnum V8. The only problems Ive had was a wire that wore through to the transmission, but I fixed that no prob, and a transmission oil leak. The factory sound system was pretty much shot, so I replaced it. It has a silly slide out cupholder on the passengers side of the dash, and the center console is poorly made. If you have one, put at least 30 inch tires on it, it looks like its been lifted two inches for a few bucks.

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  Solid - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By Austin Powers - February 22 - 1:50 am

  I love it! Few quirks, overall good SUV.

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  Good safe car! - 1997 Dodge Intrepid
  By mel - February 21 - 4:03 pm

  We bought this car new, very few problems. We did regular maintenance, and it took care of us. Air conditioning went out early, however was covered under warranty. We handed the car down to our daughters for their use. My 21 year old had a hard rollover accident recently with the car (slippery roads). I was very gratefull that I saw her before I saw the car, as she suffered a broken collar bone. When I saw the car, I did not recognize the vehicle as ours. I thought the top was cut off, but it was pushed down that far! I am not at all certain that my daughter would have faired as well in a lesser car...Thank God the Intrepid held up the way it did.