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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  2000 Durango - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By DSLT - March 24 - 2:00 am

  Love this SUV, great performance, good handling, modest comfort level, alot for the money. I be in line for a 2004 when my lease is up.

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  Best "compact truck" buy you can make!] - 1999 Dodge Dakota
  By MagnumDak - March 23 - 2:00 am

  Ive had this vehicle for about three months now and have had no problems at all. It has over 85,000 miles on it but the 318 ci (5.2L) still runs as strong as ever. I take meticulous care of her as she is an older vehicle but there isnt a thing to complain about. I was backed into by a Jeep Grand Cherokee and it totaled the Jeep but put only a 1/2 inch dent in my bumper. I am super immpressed with the acceleration of this truck and its ability to effortlessly "peel out". Overall this is an outstanding truck.

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  Great Tow vehicle! - 1998 Dodge Durango
  By grndsm - March 23 - 2:00 am

  I got an awesome deal on my Â’98, back in Â’02. So I used $$$ left in my truck budget to completely rebuild its front end (all 8 new Moog ball joint). The difference was amazing! Overall, gas mileage was poor (11-12mpg). But I had ZERO other problems with the truck and it now has 148k miles!

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  04 Dakota 4.7 V8 - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By Rickyboy - March 23 - 2:00 am

  The quality seems to be good recomend getting limited slip rear end, goes good with sand bags in back in snow. Have optional wheel package Goodyear Eagles are to noisey. V8 very strong gas mileage not the best but will pull load well. Seats are comfy [front buckets]. Drove the V6 and it had plenty of power bought this one because of stronger motor and load capacity. Overall I have owned Rangers and S10s this is by far the best compact truck made by the big 3 automakers.

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  Va-Voom! - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By Dick Bert 10 - March 22 - 2:00 am

  Bought a new Neon R/T with all the toys from a delaer for $13,500. While it may be 2 years old in a few months, its still a new car to me since I keep one for about 5-6 years anyway. The 03 has more legroom and creature comforts than my old 98 did. The magnum engine has as much h.p. as the old 2.0 DOHC, but sounds quieter under load. The 4-wheel discs stop it quite well. The 5-speed makes this pocket rocket a blast to drive and the Goodyear P195/50R16s make it grab in the corners. Ill be upgrading the tires to Bridgestones as soon as I wear the OEM Goodyears out. All in all, I am very pleased with the Neon R/T.

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  Should have gotten the V8 - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By JayB77 - March 22 - 2:00 am

  If I had to do it over, I would buy this model truck only with the V8. The pickup on the highway is somewhat lacking in the V6, with only 2 adults riding. The fuel economy ratings are almost the same between the V6 and the V8, so it would have been worth it. Otherwise I have been extremely happy with it! It is fun to drive and looks fantastic with a good wash and wax! I am actually thinking about getting a cap to make it like an SUV rather then have to give it up for a trade.

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  only my opinion - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By hdcon88 - March 19 - 10:00 am

  Well this is our third neon we owned We shopped around a lot and found very few neons on lots in our area as well as several states while we were in, the reason we bought another neon was the fact that the only way to get anything out of it in resale was to deal only with dodge again,because no one else would give us over 2000 for our 99 neon with 77000 miles on it.Well as for the new car my wife likes it so far ( only 200 miles) but my biggest complaint is the seats are not very forgiving or supportive for my 66"

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  A steal @ $9995 - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By sweaterlover - March 19 - 10:00 am

  We happened upon a Dodge Neon looking for basic tranportation, and walked away with a steal. With a sticker price of $15460, it is overpriced, but when the deal discounted the cae, including a $2500 rebate, down to $9995, no one could pass this up. With a manual transmission at that price, many may pass it up, but a manual makes the car more fun to drive, as it is slightly underpowered (been driving a 200 horsepower van for years).

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  Compressor failed 3 yrs into purchase - 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By curious07 - March 19 - 4:00 am

  This is my second Caravan. I love it. Very convenient for the kids to get in and out of. My first Caravan the head gasket blew a year into purchase. The current one, the a/c compressor went three years into purchase and the gas pedal sticks. If I could afford it, I would look into the Toyota Sienna or Honda Odyssey.

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  JDs Dodge Durango - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By JerDan - March 19 - 2:00 am

  After 10 years in an Explorer I thought Id try the Durango - Im pleasantly surprised. It rides like a truck - but then it is a truck - so you get what you bought! Its tough and powerful - plenty of torque and a strong bottom- end performer. The 4 wheel drive system is the best Ive ever experienced - easy to engage/disengage and quiet. Good power curve and comfortable shift pattern. It looks good and performs even better. Ill be keeping my Durango as long as I did my Explorer, maybe longer!