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:

• 

  Best of its Class - 2001 Dodge Durango
  By Mike E. - October 23 - 2:00 am

  I have been driving full-size and midsize SUVs for more than 20 years and have owned Fords, Chevys and GMCs before buying a 2001 Durango. The Durango is the best engineered truck in its class. It offers excellent power, impressive acceleration and uch tighter handling and turning than the other SUVs I have owned. There is also a much finer level of detail to things like power outlets, electrical controls and heating/cooling than on the other trucks. I have spent a lot of time in this truck in all sorts of bad weather and it has never been anything less than stable and sure- footed, and does not feel like its ready to rollover in sharp curves. My only complaint is poor fuel economy.

• 

  Styling... - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By Lou Stone - October 23 - 2:00 am

  I feel like a rich man driving this after years of driving Fords (Explorer Sport & Ranger)! Since I got it used, I pay less than I did on my Explorer and have a luxurious ride. Its a bear on gas unless youre on the highway, but thankfully, my commute is only 5 miles.

• 

  I WISH I WOULD HAVE NEVER BOUGHT THIS CA - 2004 Dodge Intrepid
  By LYNETTE PATRICK - October 21 - 2:00 am

  THE BRAKES ON THIS CAR ALWAYS GO OUT SO EASY.THE ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUE TO COME ON. THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG.MY CAR TAKE TIME TO STARTED UP. THEY ALSO SAY THAT ITS NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT.I BELIEVE THAT THEY DIDNT PROPERLY CHECK IT BECAUSCE I WAS UNDER WARRANT.I WISH I WOULD HAVE NEVER BOUGHT THIS CAR.

• 

  ITS THE BOMB !!!!!!!! - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By bananarepnj - October 21 - 2:00 am

  i bought the Stratus 04 in OCTOBER this year, i love the car ever since. it has a lot of rooms on everything that i need, sporty looking, and great gas mileage, its great to drive it in the highway. it wasnt my first choice of vehicle to buy, but as soon as i saw it on the dealer and test drive it, i fell in love with some of the futures.

• 

  worth the money - 2004 Dodge Intrepid
  By t j aguire - October 20 - 10:00 am

  just wanted to give a litle feedback about my Intrepid. My car is pretty much a base model ES. although it does have all power options including seats and aluminum wheels. i am very pleased w/ the performance, comfort, and reliability of the vehicle. Very much worth the price. if your looking for a good, comfortable, roomy, and reliable vehicle, but dont wanna pay an arm and a leg...this is the car to buy!!

• 

  Good old american muscle - 2005 Dodge Viper
  By ViperDave - October 17 - 2:00 am

  I bought a 96 GTS when they first came out and loved it. I wanted the true convertible this time and like the new body style. I didnt trade the old one in and will drive both of them.

• 

  Great little car - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Lewcoope - October 17 - 2:00 am

  Purchased as a commuter car, This little car has a lot of features. great buy for the money

• 

  my rating of the 2004 durango - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By stefanie - October 17 - 2:00 am

  I traded in my 2003 dodge durango for the 2004 one. I have had a lot of problems with it since. I had to have the battery replaced already and it only has 5000 miles. The check engine light came on so I took it to the dealership, they say they cant find anything wrong with it. It shakes really bad when idling. The noise level is deafening. It sounds like your in a helicopter with 1 window rolled down driving 60mph. My car shakes when you get up on speed driving down the highway.There is no problem with traveling in this SUV. I do kinda wish that I didnt trade my 2003 durango in, I never had any problems with it. Maybe it will grow on me.

• 

  Drivers door panel - 2005 Dodge Caravan
  By Maryland Jack - October 16 - 2:00 am

  Traded1991 Dodge Caravan for 2005. Everything great but they changed the door panel trim on the drivers side so that the panel holding the window buttons protrudes about 2-3" into where your leg should be resting.This panel has a rather sharp angle to it. Drive about 2 to 5 miles and you will find that your leg gets sore. Very poor design as there was no reason to change. Friends tried pillows, pads etc. Nothing seems to hold or work.

• 

  Joyful but concerned - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By cheryl - October 13 - 11:50 am

  I really love my car except the gas mileage keeps getting worse. I used to get 340 to 360 miles to the tank and now Im lucky to get 300. Ive been told it depends on the driver and the conditions but Im not the only one complaining. Maybe Dodge will take notice and fix this.The seats are wonderful! I have a bad back and these seats make all the difference after a long drive. Take off isnt fast but after first gear, youre really moving. It hugs corners very well but the blind spot needs improvement. The arm rest could be more sturdy and maybe have less rattling when extended. I really didnt pay attention to the interior problems until the gas mileage started going down. It makes me worry more.