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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  Pleased so far - 2006 Dodge Dakota
  By davey - August 21 - 12:22 am

  A nice truck, however the fuel mileage is not as rated. So far it is 14+ in the city. I will give it some time to loosen up. Great truck. I am glad I own it.

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  The Mitsubishi Camaro - 1997 Dodge Avenger
  By JPRacer - August 19 - 9:58 am

  In the three years I have driven it, the Avenger is an overall excellent car. Exterior styling is second only to the Viper. Handling exceeds the power for a stiff, yet solidly comfortable ride. Interior space is engineered to the max for functionality and comfort with basic, well-placed controls and ample trunk space. The 163HP V-6 is brisk, yet not overpowering and has had no real problems at all for 80,000+ miles. Performs at the fun-to-drive level and accessories are pleasing. Fuel mileage is decent, but could be better. Its a unique auto and turns heads wherever I go. Definitely a great car if taken care of properly. I will keep mine as long as I can.

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  The fun ride - 2006 Dodge Caravan
  By michelle becklehimer - August 19 - 9:09 am

  I bought this van to go on vacations and for my son who is in sports. Its easy to handle and easy to park, and I will buy a another one just like it because it is so convenient for me to have all the room and the good gas mileage

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  Well built for a small car - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By Nice Small Car - August 19 - 12:03 am

  A nice all around car! Better looking than most small cars. Handles great, good on gas. I would buy it again.

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  1999 Dodge Grand Caravan ES AWD - 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Ted C. - August 18 - 5:43 am

  Despite all the warnings not to buy one of these, especially with all- wheel-drive, I can now say, with 152K miles of mostly around town driving on the clock, that this van owes me nothing. Yes, the serpentine belt went out at 70K miles and the speed sensor went out early on, but both are minor. The transmission is just now starting to slip a bit between 1st and 2nd, but otherwise this has been an incredibly reliable and well thought out vehicle. Id be hard pressed to improve on my van (office, pickup, camper, taxi). I am most impressed with the ergonomics and space. Unfortunately, for me, there is no longer any vehicle on the market that can meet all my needs as this van has.

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  The Real Durango! - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By JS - August 16 - 5:21 pm

  Absolutely the finest perfromance vehicle I have seen since the 70s. This vehicle for its size and weight just moves out. Power, comfort and reliability are excellent. If gas mileage is your issue, then you probably cant afford the vehicle to start with. If you can afford the vehicle, the gas mileage doesnt matter!

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  Durango review - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By Mike DiCarlo - August 16 - 8:21 am

  Ive owned this SUV for 6 years. Reliable, safe and a powerful. Downfall is the gas consumption, but the power is worth every penny.

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  The best SUV ever - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By msnmacky - August 15 - 1:56 pm

  This is the best vehicle ive ever owned. The only problem is the fuel tank needed to be replaced and they said this is starting to be a common thing with the new model so if you have one or are getting one get it checked out. Also, when you lay the back seat down it does not go flush with the floor. Other than that it drives great and has so much room you could get lost. Its very easy to drive for being so big and the gas is very good for such a big vehicle, especially for a 4wd. Ive always been a ford girl but I think my taste has changed. This SUV is amazing and it will be hard to ever get me into anything else.

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  Stratus R/T - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By Steven - August 14 - 10:36 pm

  I bought the Stratus R/T 5sp and loved it from the day I saw it. Very quick, fun to drive. Lost it in a accident and I cant wait to get another one same year

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  Not just a neon - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By dave - August 14 - 4:40 pm

  Everyone thinks it just looks like a neon, but its not. Fully equipped, the SRT-4 will run you around 22,000. Not a bad price for what you get. Its competitors the evo and sti are very well built cars for the price; the only difference between the evo and sti is price. The evo will run you a secure 29,000, and the sti will run around 33,000. Originally a concept car in 1998, they wanted to make the srt-4 supercharged and only running 12psi and making 170 hp. But Dodge has been making turbo cars since the early 70s with the turbo z and shelby. Experience helps in this case. But u still get the fuel economy of a sedan and the price of a typical 4 door. But the hp it provides all the fun.