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:

• 

  Comments on 151,000-mile-old Intrepid - 1993 Dodge Intrepid
  By davem - October 29 - 2:00 am

  Car is roomy and very comfortable inside. Much better made than the equivalent Ford Taurus. We changed oil every 3,000 miles. Motor ran beautifully until the end. We had mechanical repairs, but never a breakdown. AC worked great until 146,000 when AC/heat controls gave out at about 146,000 and blasted out heat from defroster summer and winter until I had it disconnected. Emergency brake also gave out and about 146,000 car no longer shifted into 4th gear, dropping top mileage down to 15 mpg highway. We liked this Intrepid so much we bought another in 2000 and kept the old one. Both are beautifully designed roomy cars, very well made for the price.

• 

  Great Truck - 2001 Dodge Durango
  By otter - October 27 - 2:00 am

  Had zero problems over 27,000 miles in 15 months. Great in Minnesota winters. Towed 6000lb trailers with no problem in the relatively flat midwest. Got rear-ended hard by an F350 dually, skidded off road, and rolled. Not a single straight piece of metal left on the Durango, but driver walked away one bruise, and all doors and hatch still worked. I loved my 2001 Durango, and have replaced it with a 2002.

• 

  Very easy to own - 2002 Dodge Caravan
  By Edward Brandwein - October 26 - 1:00 am

  So far I have no real complaints with my Caravan. It has been trouble free and has proven both comfortable and easy to drive. I have gotten spoiled by the interior. You never run out of room. It is also very good on gas.

• 

  2003 Dodge Durango SLT - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By Beth - October 26 - 1:00 am

  I love my new Dodge Durango but the gas mileage is a problem. It is fun to drive and very comfortable but I am filling it up every other day!! Since it is a big SUV and has great power, I would almost have to say that I should have know what I was getting into. But filling it up with gas every other day is ridiculous - even for a big SUV with great power! I am going to have to budget putting gas in my car!

• 

  Regular Maintenance yet problems persist - 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Larry - October 25 - 3:36 am

  Purchased at 22K (used) currently at 66K. On the way home after the purchase (no joke!) we noticed a transmission shudder on the 1-2 upshift. We now avoid the 1800- 1900rpm 1-2 upshift (at least 2000rpm). Also, tranny was leaking fluid in the garage so the dealership replaced the solenoid (at 52K). Overall, the tranny is very, very delicate and we do not tow/haul 7 passengers whatsover. The power steering fluid must be topped up/checked often or else it will scream. Also, links/bushings were replaced at 50K as well as tie rods replaced at 60K. The e-brake may not release causing the rear discs to drag. If this happens pump the brakes/work the release handle.

• 

  Solid Spirit - 1995 Dodge Spirit
  By yorams - October 25 - 2:00 am

  Bought this car out of the showroom as one of the last Spirits built. 3.0 L V-6 has gobs of torque and launches of the line like a 5.0 Mustang, but runs out of steam early. Gas mileage is great (25 mpg avg) for a torquey V-6. Comfortable,reliable and absolutely no rust!!!! Not bad for an 8 year old car.

• 

  Great Little Car - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By Wigglet - October 25 - 2:00 am

  This car is so great to drive. This is my first car. I feel great in it. Its such a cute car. Although it isnt that great on gas, it still gets me around. It can go fast, and handles very well. I reccomend this car to anyone, especially for a teen agers first car. They are not that expensive, and they still look good.

• 

  Doge Rocks - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By Mr.Parker - October 25 - 2:00 am

  I love my Doge because it has alot of legroom and is a real family car

• 

  My First Suv. - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By bill thomas - October 23 - 2:00 am

  I swore I would never purchase a SUV of any size shape or form. I considered a Chrysler Convertable or a Dakata truck but when it came to finalizing my decision the Durango was the perfect choice.Then a trip to Mississippi, I live in Memphis Tenn.,to check on a few used Durango when I was able to purchase a new one for over $10,000 off the sticker price. I love driving my SUV.My Durange is not loaded with extras, has power windos, door locks and keyless entry.Just perfect for my needs and plenty of cargo space, its not to big and/or to small.Dodge is doing good with its complete line of vehicles.

• 

  Fun and Reliable - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By DragonDon - October 22 - 2:00 am

  The only problem we had was the trunk rust at the pinch-welds. Was replaced under warranty. The oddball tire size and then charge $200 CDN per tire is ridiculous. Winter traction was horrid. I remedied this and used a slightly over-sized tire in the summer time (nice performance tire on new set of rims) and a separate set of tires for the winters. The car has been quite reliable. Never stranded us and even 3 years later, all the original bulbs are functioning perfectly. The car is the best powered in its class for its year. The Neon has the largest sunroof of just about any car Ive seen. The 3spd tranny was sluggish at certain speeds.