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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  375,000miles. No Overhaul - 1998 Dodge Dakota
  By Mike Shatto - February 21 - 2:00 am

  3.9 V6 engine/auto-trans origonal. New limited-slip differental, cheaper than stock, 250,000mi. Uses Amsoil,oil analysis& bypass oil filters. 120lb compression. Courier use, 250-350mi per day. Ethinol in gas=2MPG less.Cloth seats look new. Killer heater A/C.

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  Just Got It - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By SHOPE - February 19 - 10:00 am

  Traded in a 2003 sentra specv,I really liked that car,this car is faster,handles well,and is faster.love it.

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  Room for the whole family and then some! - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By Denise Hrncir - February 19 - 2:00 am

  Great vehicle...however with any SUV you will spend lots of time at the gas station. Front Seats are a bit uncomfortable, but the rest are fine. Love the third row seating and all the cargo room that comes with owning a SUV. Would recommend it for you if you are considering a SUV.

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  2003 neon - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By Dwayne - February 18 - 2:00 am

  we purchased this car based on the fact that it was affordable, and with a four cylinder it would be good on gas. since we purchased it we have been very pleased with the realibility of the car.

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  not stock - 2001 Dodge Intrepid
  By dkrhardy - February 18 - 2:00 am

  Great car, very good performance. Ive added oversize TB, exhaust, intake, and it will walk away from 300M specials. Now it has GREAT power and still good MPG. Time to move on to more luxury though.

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  great looks.......poor quality - 2000 Dodge Intrepid
  By Koziol - February 18 - 2:00 am

  It is a well designed car and powerful. However, there are many mechanical problems. The steering locked in a circle when turning. The windows fog up all the time. The worst problem was when both of my front tie-rods broke off the rack completely disabling my steering after only 50000 miles. Fortunately, I was only pulling away from the curb, or otherwise there may have been a potentially fatal accident from a instantaneous loss of steering. I was told that my bushings had worn out and transferred the force to my tie- rod bolts.

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  OK CAR BUT BUILD QUALITY STINKS - 2004 Dodge Intrepid
  By TIMOTHY SMITH - February 17 - 2:00 am

  I LIKE THE COMFORT OF THE INTREPID AND THE LOOKS AND THE WAY IT DRIVES VERY MUCH HOWEVER THE 2.7 V6 DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH POWER FOR THAT SIZE CAR AND IT DOES NOT KEEP ITS VALUE ANY BETTER THAN A FORD PINTO OR A CHEVETTE USED TO SO I REALLY WISH I HAD NOT BOUGHT IT

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  not the comfort of a corvette - 2004 Dodge Viper
  By jwdunn - February 16 - 2:00 am

  pretty much says it all in the title ,if you are all about speed than strap in, but if you like speed and comfort i would caution you to drive one first (good luck finding a dealor who will give you a ride)

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  Disappointed in reliability - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By viper081149 - February 16 - 2:00 am

  Unfortunately, after 36,500 miles, it has been in the shop several times. Rack and pinion system replaced already & is now in for transmission work. "Check engine" light has sent it to the shop four times in less than a year. First two times were vacumn problem, the third time they couldnt find anything (still under warranty By about 400 miles) and now, 500 miles after the warranty expired, they found a transmission problem that is going to cost me $550. To be fair to the selling dealership, it is about 20 miles away in Cornelius, NC and is not the dealership screwing around with me. The culprit is Keffer Dodge here in Charlotte.

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  One quick Neon - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By Cole Johnson - February 14 - 4:43 pm

  Although I have not had my SRT-4 for very long, I can say that this car is not your ordinary Neon. The car has plenty of power to back up the fact that it is still a Neon. Not to mention the car handles extremely well from the factory. Overall I am very impressed thus far a look forward to further enhance the performance of my SRT-4 in the future.