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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  Did my homework... - 2003 Dodge Dakota
  By summerst - October 3 - 2:00 am

  I went for the 4.7l V8, with the 5 speed automatic upgrade. I have logged a lot of miles in a lot of different vehicles and this is one of the most responsive power trains Ive ever driven. This truck was broken in demandingly on and off road and has handled both effortlessly. When I decided I was in the market for a truck I did my homework and came up with the Dakota as the best of all aspects I needed and wanted. Better yet the critics supported my findings. Ive changed my motor oil over to a leading synthetic and expect this truck to last a long time.

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  My Station Wagon - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By james - October 2 - 5:46 am

  I like my Station wagon except for one thing the transmission shifts really hard and it kind of annoying, and the manufactur dues not let you put a smoother transmission fluid in the car. And my radio dues not play MP3s like it is subpose too. Otherwise I am satisfied.

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  Super Van - 1999 Dodge Caravan
  By Manga & Beba - October 1 - 2:00 am

  Do the maintenance and enjoy the ride!

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  So Far, So Good - 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By DT - October 1 - 1:40 am

  Like many others you have read about, has a minor tranmission leak. Very flexible interior design, comfortable, fun to drive. Great sound system. Have gone on long drives with 5 passengers, 2 kayaks, 4 bikes. Nice choice for families or for general people or other hauling. Have concerns about mechanical/reliablity issue 6 years on, but no major problems yet. On balance, it has been a very good family vehicle for us.

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  Very Happy with My Durango - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By KCDodge - September 29 - 2:00 am

  My 2002 SLT Plus is a great SUV. It looks great and its performance is good. My kids love it as well. My only complaints are the gas mileage (11- 12 mpg around town and 15-17 highway), and the fit and finish could be better. Specifically, the second row seats are not the same height. The one on the drivers side is about 2" shorter than the one on the passenger side. Kinda weird.

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  Excellent middle of the road car - 2003 Dodge Stratus
  By sac86738 - September 28 - 2:00 am

  Realize that this is not a performance car, so performance gets an "average." Comfort-wise, the seats are cushy, and the steering wheel feels good--not cheap. Fun to drive? Not particularly. Interior is well thought out, very simple. The styling of the exterior is pleasing to my eye, especially the shorter windows. It has a kind of "meaner" look to it than its predecessor. As for reliability, it always starts up as soon as the key is turned--no delays. Ive never had a problem with my 1999 Stratus, and I sure dont expect to have too many problems with this one.

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  dodge Durango SLT 4wd - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By sjohn - September 28 - 2:00 am

  Very comfortable. Great 4wd. Gas hog. Stiff ride. Run extras with stereo and cassette controls on steering wheel. Rear ac and heat is nice.

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  Bought It Used, Feels Like New - 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Florida Dude - September 27 - 3:36 pm

  Got it as from a dealer who bought it at a fleet auction. Former rental. Changed oil, and thats it. Had it for about 10,000 miles now with no problems whatsoever. The Stow N Go space versatility is tremendous, with nothing really comparable in the market. ALL THE SEATS FOLD FLAT INTO THE FLOOR. I had a 1995 Caravan and I almost killed myself moving those seats in and out for when I needed to carry stuff. I swore Id never buy another minivan until all the seats folded into the floor. Abacadabra!

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  Good Buy for the money - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By fredfull - September 27 - 2:00 am

  Alot of car for the money. Gas mileage could be better

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  Enjoying it so far! - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By Raceboy21 - September 27 - 2:00 am

  I purchased the truck new and have commuted in Atlanta traffic for the past 3 years in it. The ride is better than most all trucks of the same, or larger, caliber but small enough to manuver the jerks of the road. Good power range but the only draw back would be the auto-trans shifting too hard.