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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  GREAT MINIVAN - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By COCOAPEPPE - April 3 - 2:00 am

  GREAT VEHICLE TO DRIVE. I WENT FROM THE GRAND AM TO THIS AND IT IS AMAZING. THE FEEL OF THE MINIVAN IS JUST LIKE A CAR BUT YOU ARE HIGHER OFF THE GROUND.

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  Buy this piece! - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By AgileSRT - April 3 - 2:00 am

  This car is cheap, outruns everything I come up upon on the road, is affordable to modify, I enjoy it more than life. :)

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  good little car.. - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By verbalbliss - April 3 - 2:00 am

  nice little car if you dont plan on driving a truck or suv while getting to know this little guy it does handle well and speed is not an option overall its somthing so far i can live with...

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  One Great Patrol Vehicle - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By Rick Karle - April 3 - 2:00 am

  After 7 Yrs of driving Ford Crown Vics it was a pleasure to get behind the wheel of my 2004 Durango 4WD. Handling is GREAT and there is loads of room for all my equipment. This truly is one GREAT patrol Vehicle.

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  Dodge Intrepid - 2001 Dodge Intrepid
  By Ron808 - April 2 - 5:30 pm

  I used to own an 01 SE intrepid with the 2.7L and I didnt have any issues with the engine at all. I did have to replace the tranny at 95,000 miles but other than that it was the perfect car. It got totaled by a drunk driver at 125,000 miles and I decided to replace it with another Intrepid. which I have now and it is even better. It is an 01 ES with the 3.2L fully loaded which i would recommend to anyone, the ride is so smooth and the size is great. The only advice I have if you are thinking about getting an 1998-2004 Intrepid is even though had no issues at with with my 2.7L engine, you should look for an Intrepid with 3.2L,3.5,or 3.5HO engine.

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  So far, So Great - 2007 Dodge Caravan
  By buddhapbw - March 31 - 7:42 pm

  I really enjoy the Grand Caravan SXT, special edition. It seems to be roomy has a lot to offer and was a lot less money than the Honda, wish we could have waited for the 2008, but very pleased with this van.

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  Best Car Ever Owned - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Brown Sugar - March 31 - 12:13 am

  I never thought about buying new until the Charger arrived. It fits all my familys needs, yes family. It has all the thrills of nostalgic muscle of modern day refinment. I feel safe puting my newborn and 7 year old in it but yet dont feel like I bought the old boring old family four door. It has the thrills of a muscle car.

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  Dogde neon rating - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By ljl1225 - March 29 - 10:00 am

  the dodge neon is comfortable to drive -

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  What a car! - 2007 Dodge Charger
  By b.c. - March 28 - 8:32 pm

  Love this car. It was an anniversary gift given to me by my husband. I can honestly say that this car isnt just for a man, girls like to go fast too. Very spacious interior, great performance and extremely fun to drive. The interior lacks some frills but you dont need em when you have a Hemi under the hood.

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  JUST LOVE IT! - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Mandy Eames - March 28 - 7:13 pm

  I am a mom/volunteer on the go. Have had a van/mini-van for 23 years! Took some getting used to, but I ABSOLOUTLY ADORE my MAGNUM! Its zippy, has pep, plenty of room to haul groceries for a large family, haul stuff to the beach (including surf boards - even a LONG board!) Took it into the mountains this fall, it took the steep inclines with no problems.