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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  Hey, its 12 years old - 1992 Dodge Dynasty
  By Jimmyd - November 28 - 5:23 pm

  I work at a car dealership and took this in trade. Looked like new, 44,000 miles on it. Ive driven it 10 miles and am most satisfied with the fuel economy, 20MPG in town, 28 on the road, with the 3.3. A/C was blowing warm, had one can of R-12 coolant and put it in, now the A/C is cold. Better than the A/C on my 02 Altima here in the Las Vegas heat! Sports car? No, but it looks like cars used to look, boxy, and has been very dependable. I see far newer and "better" cars on tow trucks day... as I pass em coming and going to work.

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  Not too shabby - 2008 Dodge Caliber
  By wparkki - November 27 - 9:56 am

  Its a great little family car and is astounding in the snow. I owned a Ford Escape 4x4 before this car and it cant even begin to compare to this cars ability to manuver and maintain traction

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  Good cheap fun - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By redskinmu99 - November 26 - 7:35 pm

  my brother and I have driven this since new, and it has been very reliable and fun over the past 8 years. Performance is above that of other cars in its price range, but the car is a little rough around the edges. The paint is notoriously bad, Ive been lucky to only have stone chips out of mine but Ive seen plenty of neons with most f the paint peeled off of the hood and front quarter panels. The engine is in good shape after 81,000 miles and the mechanic that most recently looked at it said it will most likely last to over 200,000 miles without a problem. Biggest complaint is the 3 speed transmission. I would have much preferred a 5 speed, its been a fun car though for the money.

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  Sweet ride for family - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By donanobis - November 26 - 6:46 pm

  This is my 3rd van and 1st Grand Caravan. What a wonderful ride, great value for all the extras and a great warranty too. I wish I would have known about this line of minivans a long time ago!

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  My 2nd Dodge Grand Caravan - 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By jack - November 20 - 2:40 pm

  After keeping my 1990 Dodge Grand Caravan for 10 years, it was time for a change. Even though I had replaced the transmission and did a head job, we still bought a one year old Dodge Grand Caravan. To this day, cannot get my wife to take my Chevy Lumina as she loves the Grand Caravan. With two in college, we fit everything to move them in and out each year with room to spare while the SUVs have to use the roof! we will buy another one in 2010.

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  THE WORST TRANSMISSION EVER - 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Patrick - November 19 - 5:10 pm

  Besides the not so smooth transmission the van would be great. The transmission is very jumpy at low speeds and now the transmission wines after 120 mile trip.

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  Your Best American Deal - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By DevoDad - November 19 - 2:00 am

  The cars only short-coming is that the smooth Automatic Tranny has only a 3- speed gear set-up. The car is quick, nimble and performs great in traffic around the suburbs . But the gearing causes the motor to Rev very high on the interstates/ parkways, and engine noise is apparent. The "top" speed, therefore, is under 80 mph. Any fuel economy from this nice 16 valve is probably lost above 62 Mph. Mine is a basic low end model only w/ options of A/C and AutoTrans, and SO much is already standard (ie: excellent sound system) A real value despite the high-speed issues.

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  2004 Dodge Neon SXT - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Jaimee - November 17 - 4:31 pm

  At 26000 miles the check engine light came on. Other than that everything has been fine so far. I get oil changes when its due.

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  Capable truck minor glitches... - 1998 Dodge Durango
  By we-dogee - November 13 - 11:22 pm

  I start by saying, I love this truck. I needed a vehicle that would be capable 4wd conveyance. And the "D" has shown its grit. From the beaches of Hatteras to the muddy farms of the MDs Eastern Shore, the D has always done the job. Things have not been perfect. First there was the mysterious cracked side view mirror. A mystery until I discovered a Durango Owners Forum online and found that the 98 D had a Mirror glass temper problem. The Dis also a bit under powered electrically. It needs a better alternator from the git go. And shes known to be heavy for the smaller brake set they opted for... Alas, it may be a wiring harness that causes us to part.

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  So far, so good - 2004 Dodge Intrepid
  By Jerome Barry - November 13 - 9:38 pm

  My wife drives this car and drives it badly. Ergo, my fuel economy when she drives around town is about 16 mpg. When I drive on the highway, I get 29 mpg. Its difficult for me to get my fat self into the front seat, so the the power seat is a plus. It handles well and runs quietly. Ive changed the oil twice so far and it hasnt siezed up yet, imagine that! Anyway, the looks of the car are superb, but looks wont hold value if the guts of the car are weak. Depreciation is a big minus on this car, so Id recommend you buy one used after one or two years and not more than 20,000 miles. The car handled our family vacation marvelously, the trunk room and back seat room were worth it!