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:

• 

  One Awesome Truck - 1997 Dodge Dakota
  By the_koof - January 15 - 11:44 pm

  This is one tough little truck. This is my first vehicle and I have beaten on it even though it had 174,000 miles on it when I got it. Now it has about 190,000 and its still running like a champ! It only has a V6 so it is not very fast and I wish it had the 318 V8. Has very rarely let me down. Only parts that have failed are the power steering pump (was going out for a while after an accident early on in its life), the water pump and dirty sensors. Other than that, extremely reliable and very recommended. Never had a transmission problem either.

• 

  Americas Supercar - 2005 Dodge Viper
  By Gary - January 15 - 3:38 pm

  Say what you wish but this is the second Viper Roadster I have owned and I cannot wait to drive the car whenever I can (which is never often enough). It has astounding adrenalin dripping acceleration, with much improved handling over previous models. Seat to wheel to pedal reach is now so much better and much more comfortable also. Biggest problem I find is that you cannot take it anywhere (i.e. when you go to a nice restaurant etc.) as it atttacts so many people and unfortunately there are very few people today who have respect for others property so they tend to climb all over it with greasy hands and zippered clothing etc. Enough said, save what you can and go buy one, new or used. Enjoy.

• 

  Cant Complain - 1998 Dodge Intrepid
  By Otis - January 14 - 3:00 pm

  I drove my Intrepid 165k miles before having to get rid of it (had 32k at purchase). With only routine maintenance a few medium repairs (Alternator and major brake work) coming in the last 50k miles. Good performance (especially highway), better than average interior, decent mileage for a car of its size and performance specs, and tons of trunk space. If you can find a 1998 and later model with decent mileage, buy it.

• 

  Exellent value - 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By sea1967 - January 13 - 2:32 am

  Lots of features for the money. Rides well, gas mileage is good for such a large vehicle. Good power and acceleration.

• 

  Im Keeping this one forever!!! - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By JUDY - January 11 - 6:56 am

  After reading all the other reviews, I cant believe how lucky Ive been with my car. In fact, Im retiring in 6 years and plan on keeping this car for my retirement car. Ive had over 20 cars in the past (sports cars too) but really put this one close to the top. We had 48 inches of snow on the ground last year, and I never once had a problem with driving! Handles great-- and this is on snowy, curvy country roads. Chrysler offers a Lifetime Warranty now (if you have the lifetime powertrain) and Im in the process of purchasing that--just in case. The only thing Ive had go wrong, is the signal switch broke last week and it had to be replaced. Not bad for 410000 miles!

• 

  2001 Dodge Dakota /quad 4X4 - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By patrick barrett - January 10 - 10:03 pm

  16-17 mpg / lots of power from 4.7 v8 engine. Comfortable seating with the bench seat in front. One of the smoothest rides you"ll find from a truck with V-8 power.

• 

  Fun to drive - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By Doug - January 7 - 2:00 pm

  I bought the car to comute to work ($4200/63K miles). Ive done zero maintance in the two years Ive driven it (no oil changes). It has never broke down. I wash it twice a year whether it needs it or not. Its been the cheepest car Ive owned.

• 

  1999 Dodge Stratus-150HP DOHC - 1999 Dodge Stratus
  By Mike- IL - January 7 - 12:01 am

  Overall not a bad car. Lets face it, the car is not a Mercedes but nice nonetheless. Power is adequate, cabin noise is average creature comforts are a little sparse but one can get by. I have 96,000 miles on mine and plan to get something else only because I am ready for a change..cant kill this thing..( I have not tried, and I have maintained it very well) Besides routine maintenance I have had only 1 problem and that was my drivers side window motor needed to be replaced at about 60K. I replaced my timing belt by choice at 90K and the waterpump as well.. I saw the belt the mechanic pulled..did not look too bad..could have let that go but wanted to make it through the cold Chicago winter.

• 

  Whats up with those damned brakes???? - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Andy Allison - January 5 - 9:19 am

  I really love my car & the way it drives. Its quick, responsive, & fun. The engine is perfect for this car...it has just enough power for performance without a great fuel cost, all of which leaves me to wonder why Daimler put such a flawed & NOISY brake system on em. When I first start her up , regardless of environmental conditions, as soon as I step on the brakes I hear the most awful grinding/squealing sound coming from the wheels. With every subsequent stop the noise is reduced bit until several miles into my journey it stops all together. I have taken it into the dealership just to be told that the brakes are fine & there is nothing that can be done. Whats up with that?

• 

  Been in the shop a few times... - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By Warren - January 4 - 3:32 pm

  Bought my SLT 4WD in Nov 03. I hated the way the 04s looked + got a steal on the 03 anyway. At about 5000 miles, all the AC leaked out. Took 2 trips in, and they ended up ripping out the entire dash to replace the leaking parts. They did provide me a free loaner car on trip #2. At about 7000 miles, the driver seat had a pin fall out and the back of the driver seat jammed reclined. Now at almost 12000 miles, recalls for wiper motor, and now the ball joint failure. Plus the heater motor has gone out (died in ice storm last week). Also, gas mileage sucks! EPA rating is bull. I average 12.5MPG with 80% of it highway. I doubt I would buy another one, especially the ugly new models.