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 truck for my wife. - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By Brett - November 8 - 10:17 pm

  We do a lot of long distance trips and this has been one of the best, if not the best, vehicles we have purchased. We feel safe and comfortable but not overpowering as some of the large trucks appear. Visibility is great, handling is above average, and we have the power to do anything we would ever need a truck for, like pulling a trailer or boat. I like to do my own minor service and to see how well this truck is constructed underneath is impressive. A very well built truck that is very easy for me to work on. The interior room is the best of all competitors. What a truck! Thank you Dodge.

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  Very Pleased - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By My Mag - November 8 - 7:43 pm

  I bought my Magnum last November. I love the car. I am having problems with water leaking in my doors and falls on the rocker panels. This freezes my doors shut in the winter. So far there doesnt seem to be a solution for this problem. All in all, the car is great. I love driving it. Handles well, looks excellent and is very comfortable to drive and to sit in. Has some blind spots but after driving it for awhile you get use to it. The windshield fogs on the inside quite easily and is hard to unfog for some reason, maybe because the windows are so small. I feel Ive made the right choice buying the magnum.

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  The Stealth is an Awesome Car! - 1993 Dodge Stealth
  By Billy - November 8 - 11:05 am

  The car drives like a dream. Everybody who gets in it all say that it rides like a Cadillac. The driving is extremely fun, very comfortable, and everywhere I go people turn their heads. The car has been great and reliable, and the performance is really good. Its DOHC 24 valves does its job. This is the best year of all the Stealths since it is the last year of that body style also.

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  For a used car, its a great value for money - 2004 Dodge Intrepid
  By T Abraham - November 8 - 9:53 am

  Ive had this car for a few months now. Ive had to change the brake pads and some transmission components. Bought it for $6500. Have spent about $1500 since, but the car has been very very reliable since and has been great on long 17 - 20 hour drives. Plenty of storage. Great for families. Taut driving and handling. Plenty of power. Great car.

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  Appreciate my van! - 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Shannon - November 7 - 3:56 pm

  I simply love this van! I bought the van to replace an older Dodge Caravan that had over 300k miles and was on its last tire! The only thing I have replaced is a brake line that rusted out. I live near the ocean so I run through a lot of salt water which was probably a contributing factor. I decided to buy new headlights ($80) because they did fog and visibility was a concern. The automatic door on the pass. side works when it wants to, but I dont mind walking around to open it! I dont have very high expectations for a vehicle that is 9 years old, but this van exceeds all that I do have. I never worry about sitting on the side of the road. Excellent family van.

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  Chrysler rocks! - 1997 Dodge Intrepid
  By newharmony7 - November 7 - 2:42 pm

  This is the second car I have ever owned. My first was a Chrysler Concorde, and I loved that car. Figuring that the cars would be similar, and knowing that my Mom had no trouble with her Intrepid when she bought it new until the day the engine died, I knew I wanted another Concorde or an Intrepid. I find that this car has some slight electrical problems, but nothing that will stop it from running steady and strong even after sitting in campus parking all week without running. I love my Intrepid and I would recommend it to anyone who needs a car and wants one that will be decently affordable and very reliable.

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  Why purchase a Subaru - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By Ken - November 7 - 9:49 am

  Wow. I am a 60s child. What an increase in quality, driveability, utility, and performance. Commute 70 miles one way to work. I am much fresher upon arrival than I was driving an " all wheel drive import". Exceptionaly quiet, solid. I have had the vehicle four months and have put 18k miles on the clock.

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  Love my Stratus - 2003 Dodge Stratus
  By Lori - November 7 - 1:13 am

  I bought this car about 5 months ago. I was looking for something descent on gas since I was driving a 2001 Ford Explorer. I found the Stratus (mine is black) and I had to have it. I love the interior and the way it drives. The only problem I have is I need to get new rotors because since I bought the car my front end shakes when I apply the brakes. I guess that will only cost me around $200. I have taken my car on a few road trips and I love the stereo and my sunroof.

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  Great Van, No Problems at all - 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Midcoast Mainiac - November 6 - 2:23 pm

  We Love our new Grand Caravan. With the stow and go seats, DVD player, the power sliding doors and tailgate, the big 3.8 liter engine, alloy wheels, and so many other features, what is not to like? Lower cost than anything foreign, and the foreign vans are not as well rated by the people who own them. The so called "Experts" apparently dont know their rumps from a hole in the ground. Maintenance is cheap, $22 for a 3,000 mi checkup. My old Caravan was "retired" with 206,000 miles. Never did anything to it but change oil, filters, brake pads, tires, the usual stuff. Same exhaust system when retired, never was replaced. Note to Chrysler, Keep em coming, dont change a thing!!!!!

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  great car - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By magnum mom - November 6 - 10:00 am

  car is great. have a toddler and works out super. tons of room. only complaint is rotten on snow. will be parked for winter. fun to drive. sharp looking car that performs well.