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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  a good choice is you need a minivan - 2004 Dodge Caravan
  By Dad of 2 - October 12 - 2:00 am

  My new caravan sxt is a company vehicle. Certainly beats the typical sedans.

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  My Grand Caravan - 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Handyman - October 11 - 4:53 am

  I bought my 2003 Sport Grand Caravan from an auto dealer on winter of 2006 with 139000km on it. Before I took it off from the dealer I put a new battery since its winter. After 3 years, I have now 189500km in my odometer. In this period the only parts Ive changed are the brake pads, the rotor disc, 1 headlamp bulb, wiper blades and a set of spark plugs. I could feel shudder in 1st & 2nd gear but not frequent. The signal light handle does not turn back. Though I dont consider this as a great minivan, but if youre a careful owner this car can last.

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  a good fixer upper - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By alexx - October 9 - 2:00 am

  i bought this car just this year for 300 dollars it had been hit in the front and needs both fenders and a hood, other then that im ery happy with this car, nice and peppy with the air intake installed i love the little deep engine tone, fun and does GREAT on gas, car has 115,876 miles on it and all i had to do to it was fix the back brakes,got a little tranny problem to but after i get past 20 mph i can floor it or do whatever, the stereo sounds nice but it takes a while to read cdrs, but it will work eventually, i will be adding altezza lights to the back z3 fenders and maybe some rims and for sure some tint it will look nice great car for what i paid for it

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  Good Family Car - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By SarahLee15 - October 9 - 2:00 am

  I have owned my Stratus for about a year now. It is a nice, reliable, family car, with plenty of space to haul things. It is especially nice when taking long trips. Its comfortable, and has plenty of room. I have never had to worry about it being stolen or broken in to, due to the nice safety features. I love my Stratus, and know that I can always depend on it. I would highly recommend this car to young professionals and families. It is inexpensive, and reliable.

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  owner - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By Lane Holt - October 8 - 2:00 am

  Very responsive handling, feels very solid & secure at highway speeds. Light weight results in better performance than the more expensive mid- size car with standard engine.

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  SXT-4 - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By asrock - October 5 - 2:00 am

  Great dependable car, with good pick-up and go.

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  pimpin - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By jarrod - October 1 - 2:00 am

  this car is totally awesome for the money, nothing else in this price range even comes close, my dad has a 2001 ws6 t/a, with a hurst 6 speed and this car is nearly as quick for $13000 less

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  A good mix of quality and quantity - 2000 Dodge Ram Van
  By our car - September 30 - 4:50 am

  Of all the extended van designs, we found this van has the best seat for a driver with a sensitive back. Rear seating isnt as comfortable. This is our 2nd Ram van. The 12 passenger configuration is great for rear cargo area. Transmission is in the Ram van vocabulary. We carry 12 passengers daily. If you have transmission trouble, save yourself some grief and buy a new transmission.

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  Good car - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By jason21210 - September 29 - 2:00 am

  I think this car is a wonderful car if you are looking for something that is compact and good on fuel.

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  R/T Neon 2001 - 2001 Dodge Neon
  By kenroberts11 - September 29 - 2:00 am

  This is my 3rd Neon & all have been very good cars. NO problems of any import. Great gas mileage, good pep & nice comfortable seating. For the money, cant be beat.