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 car - 1997 Dodge Stratus
  By xasan - April 18 - 2:00 am

  I believe dodge stratus is one of the most valualbe american cars. its nice and comfortable car, i love it

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  Nice looker - 1997 Dodge Avenger
  By Zach Smith - April 17 - 2:00 am

  Overall it is a great car. It looks great and will still turn heads and get commented on. With the ES package, they come loaded. However, I have had alot of problems. Ive put over $2,000 worth of work into it in less than a year and it needs another $500 or so not including routine procedures. The rims and tires are very expensive to replace and a tune-up costs $300+ due to the placement of the sparkplugs. The turning radius is horrible and the rear view is alittle obstructed. I would not drive anything else though.

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  Neon ES- 2000 - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By Skip R. - April 17 - 2:00 am

  Reliable, problem -free since day #1, a good value for the money. It loves to go fast!

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  GREAT CAR! - 2004 Dodge Intrepid
  By F A - April 17 - 2:00 am

  Ive had this auto for 3 weeks now, great rise. Very smooth and aerodynamic, great stylying and comfort. I love this Inrepid.

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  Intrepididation - 1996 Dodge Intrepid
  By pdg - April 16 - 2:00 am

  Within 8 years: ~ replaced MacPherson struts ~ replaced rack and pinion steering ~ replaced brake cylinder ~ replaced tansmission - TWICE!

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  BALL JOINT FAILED. FRONT DRIVERS SIDE - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By dee324 - April 15 - 2:00 am

  INTERIOR SQUEEKS DECENT POWER 5.2L NEEDS AIR K&N FILTER IT.

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  2002 dodge - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By charles,odell - April 15 - 2:00 am

  good truckdrives real good but i do not like the gas milige. or the over drive that i have to lock out

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  The good ole days in my 91 Dynasty - 1991 Dodge Dynasty
  By paladin - April 14 - 2:00 am

  Best car i ever owned. I bought this vehicle as a rental return/ program car from a dealer that had 50 of them for sale , all at the same price.I drove 5 of them till i got the "right feel" on the one we bought,drove the salesman crazy, and i didnt care what the color was. We raised our young family in this car, and when we traded up to a van in 1998, my 10 year old son mourned our white Dynastys passing like it was a dead relative ! In the 100K miles we put on this car all i did to it was brakes once, spark plugs twice,plug wires once, battery once, serpentine belt and the bearing it rode on once, and standard maintenance.

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  Our Second - 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Two timer - April 13 - 2:00 am

  Upon the completion of our 2000 Grand lease we hesitated to select Dodge a second time due to several issues with our 2000. The room and ride the 2000 delivered was enough for us to chose Dodge again. The improvements in the 2003 have made our decision a positive one. If reliability remains high we will return to Dodge for a third.

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  Great Mopar experience. - 1990 Dodge Dakota
  By king rat - April 12 - 2:00 am

  I have owned this 2WD truck for 8 years. It has outlasted two of my wifes Grand Caravan. Every morning Iturn the key, put it in gear, and go to work. Except when I fill it with hundreds of pounds of Scout gear and 2- 4 Boy Scouts. I am not easy on this truck, but I change the oil, keep it lubed, and wash it 2-3 times a month. The only rust on it is both doors have surface rust, 1/2" x 6" along the bottom, and one rear fender lip where the previous owner bumped a tree. I have 3 boys all 6 or more. It is tight, but we can still squeeze in to go camping.