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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  Fun Car To Drive - 1996 Dodge Avenger
  By galleskater - August 1 - 12:50 pm

  I have owned the car for two years and after about 40,000 miles on the car I still love it. Went out and bought low profile Falken tires painted rims black and threw four 12 subs in the trunk. I have gone through seven cars from my two years of driving and my highly spirited driving style and this car has held up to most of the abuse... I had the engine replaced when purchased and tranny rebuilt, and with the help of 75 shot of NOS cold air intake street torque converted lowering springs catback 550cc injectors and billet fuel rail this car is FAST! Looking at a set of gears for even quicker starts. Definitely suggested buy.

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  GM Dependable. Who would have thought? - 2001 Dodge Neon
  By bdiddy1 - August 1 - 8:18 am

  I bought this as a used car with 40K on it in 2003. It now has only 68K in the last 5 years. Except for one splurge for new car parts which has extended its life, I have to say Im really pleased with this car. Its not great in the snow but it can handle most things. I really like the moon roof although there are some issues with the switch. If you dont have to drive a lot and just want a reliable car with some sporty features, then this is a solid, good car. Its not a clunker because of its gas mileage and thats another good feature. With some eco driving, its a fairly clean car.

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  Much better than expected - 1995 Dodge Avenger
  By Jack Flynn - August 1 - 6:47 am

  Not really a Dodge, but a lengthened Mitsubishi Eclipse. Bought as a well used temporary ride. Keep it for its good looks, reasonable trunk space and rear seating room. Also for its nimble handling. The 2.5 V6 has more power hidden in the higher rpm range and can be found by manually shifting the poorly-suited automatic transmission. Fuel mileage can be 30+ on the highway on overdrive at 65 mph. Low ground clearance and roof line make parking curbs a danger to the soft nose and egress something of a chore. But on, particularly, back roads, the car is a fine grand tourer and a 5-speed would have transformed the car and increased its sales. In the main, an enjoyable ride worth owning.

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  Magnum Keeps on Rolling - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Commuter - July 31 - 5:33 pm

  My All Wheel Drive V6 Magnum SXT is coming up on 59,000 miles and has averaged over 21 mpg. It accelerates like a small V8 (with no wheel spin) and goes through rain, snow and anything else on my 45 mile one way commute. Tracking is excellent--and improved with my only major expense, a new set of Goodyear Comfortred tires at 34,000 miles replacing the original Continentals (which quickly cupped and wore and provided a rough ride). My only other expenses have been oil changes and turning the two front brake rotors at 49,000 miles to eliminate a minor shudder when braking. This is a great car pool vehicle, with plenty of seating and storage room for everyone.

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  Why did they discontinue the Neon? - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By Dodge Man! - July 31 - 4:10 pm

  I bought this car new when the 2004 were coming out. Got a great deal from the dealership in Gurnee, Illinois. The car has been very reliable with regular maintenance. I have 145,000 miles on it and just got it paid off last year. I use this as a commuter car and I have a newer family car Subaru, Tribeca for longer trips. I plan on driving the Neon until the wheels fall off for commuting 65 miles one way to work. I was going to have the timing belt changed at 100000 miles but I was told it didnt need to be replaced. Only major repair was the clutch at 90000 miles for 800 bucks.

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  Buy a solution, not a Chrysler - 2005 Dodge Caravan
  By Rudy - July 31 - 2:28 pm

  After 15,000 miles spark plugs, air bag, injectors, brakes (pads and rotors), air bag again, power steering leaks, noisy engine belts, cv joints, sliding doors donÂ’t close properly, so we can feel air coming thru doors rubber seals but, the worst one is that after 4 months trying to get a roof paint warranty thru Chrysler customer service they told me: Chrysler wonÂ’t participate in this repair.

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  Should have listened to the wife - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By firelieutenant16 - July 30 - 8:05 pm

  Love the look. Thats it. Got car with 70 miles on it. Have had it in the shop many many times. Cylinder 2 misfire 5 time, trans leak, both rear window motors replaced, 3 radios replaced, 3 sets of leather seat covers, air bags disable themselves, heat seat works on and off, rattle in the dash, brakes at 24000, warped rotors, E brake need to be replaced vibration in the front end at 45 to 60 MPR and 3 sets of tires. If you can get by all of that its a great car.

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  Good not great - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By Dilin - July 30 - 7:16 pm

  We replaced our 1999 Dodge Caravan in 2005 for a brand new Dodge Durango SLT 4x4 with the 4.7L V8. Immediately, we began having problems with the passenger side airbag. It would always say that it was turned off, even if there wasnt a light load in the front seat. The 4.7L V8, with only 235 HP, is no match for this heavy, almost full-size SUV. Acceleration is strong off the line, but lacks mid-range and passing punch. The interior is made of cheap plastics, and the fit and finish is not very good at all. We averaged (we replaced it in 2008 for a Ford Taurus X) 15.3 MPG with it, and with only 235 HP, you would think it would have been better.

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  My new car - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By MS. BEE - July 30 - 2:40 pm

  I love this car its fun to drive. I love the cooler thats in the passenger side. I also like the sound system in the car. The only thing is the gas - it doesnt hold gas. But overall the car is great

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  hate it!!!! - 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Brittany - July 30 - 1:42 pm

  I bought this van 6 months ago and its horrible. I had so many problems and they just keep coming. My ac compressor went out so that cost me $400. It always needs breaks. My left tire sensor is going out and now my computer is going out. Its $4000 just for the computer. One of the power sliding doors broke so I cant use it. The wiring to my signal lights are messed up. When I first got it, I had no problems until 2 days after my warrenty was up. Dodge wont work with me on trying to fix it. To them, nothing major is wrong and told me not to worry so much about it. With 4 kids I need a reliable car and this is NOT it. I regret buying this van.