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:

• 

  whine in drive train - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By janjohn - September 15 - 2:00 am

  has a disturbing high pitched drive train whine between 60 -70 mph. Have to turn on radio or open window to drown it out. Took it to dealer and they said all the 4sp od do it. Not satisfied with that and am going to pursue it.

• 

  Solid Car, but will it last? - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Otis Chance - September 14 - 5:23 am

  This is my first Dodge, and I am still a bit nervous if this car will last. So far, so good. Just call me paranoid. This car has a lot of room and a very smooth ride. Already had to take it in for Airbag light and now have a slight pop in the dash. No biggie, just annoying. The "trunk" area is kinda cheap, but my last car was a 323 Wagon, so I am getting used to driving an American car again. Overall, very happy as long as it last four years.

• 

  Electrical! - 2000 Dodge Caravan
  By cjc - September 14 - 2:00 am

  Multiple problems with electrical systems, which adds up to a large amount of money. Constantly had transmission problems. I would not recommend this vehicle. They do not hold their value at all, and with my experience with Dodge products, they are not reliable. I will never buy another Dodge or Chrysler product. In my case, three times is not a charm.

• 

  CARAVAN RATING - 2003 Dodge Caravan
  By MICHELE STASKEL - September 14 - 2:00 am

  I OWN THE CARAVAN FOR ABOUT 2 AND 1/2 MONTHS. SO FAR SO GOOD. WE ORIGINALLY WERE TO PURCHASE AN SUV, BUT REALIZED IT WOULD NOT FIT OUR NEEDS HAVING TWO KIDS AND TAKING FRIENDS WOULD NOT BE AS EASY. WE FEEL IT IS FUN TO DRIVE AND THE EXTRA SPACE OVER A CAR IS GREAT. VERY HAPPY WITH OUR PURCHASE.

• 

  2003 Black Durango - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By jevener - September 14 - 2:00 am

  I have just bought my Durango a few weeks ago. I have had nothing but fun driving it. The very next day after buying the Durango, I drove from New Jersey to Ohio. Which is not an easy drive. Going up and down through the mountains. The V-8 just purred and kept chugging up the road. The only thing bad was the chugging chugged down a lot of fuel. But all and all it is a very nice and enjoyable ride.

• 

  Solid car- 9 years, no major repairs - 1994 Dodge Shadow
  By TJ2 - September 13 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car new in April 1994 and have had no major repairs. My car has a manual transmission with overdrive and has required no major repairs at 95,000 mi. Odometer and speedometer dont function when outdoor temperatures exceed 90 F, but in Oregon that doesnt happen much. Automatic seatbelt has continued to function well. Driver side mirror has come out of its track periodically since it was new. (fixed 3 times under dealer warranty, fixed at home since then. Our fixes last longer.) Good handling in rain/snow and starts in sub-zero weather.

• 

  300K and still going ... - 1991 Dodge Caravan
  By Min - September 13 - 2:00 am

  i bought mine new in 1991 ... 3.0 V6. many problems (replaced tranny twice, engine gasket, radiator twice, a/c never seemed to work). however it is nearing 300K but is still going. great shape although paint is in bad shape.

• 

  You Wont be Disappointed - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By goMSUspartans - September 13 - 2:00 am

  My silver 2001 2WD Quad Cab with 4.7L has been a dream. I use the bed a lot more than I thought. Suggestions, get a LINE-X bed liner, not a factory plastic one. The LINE-X beds look and perform great. Also, make sure to run mid grade gas or youll get some pinging. The higher driving position of the 4WD version is appealing but Im still glad I got the 2WD version for a little better mileage. My console tells me Ive averaged 17.1mpg overall. Definitely get the 4.7L, the 3.9 was weak during the test drive.

• 

  4.7 ltr Dak Sport - 2003 Dodge Dakota
  By ARpapa - September 13 - 2:00 am

  Plenty power for hwy or Ozark hill/mtns pulling bass boat. Rides like a car on the highway, handles dirt/gravel like a truck.

• 

  Not that shabby - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By Frenchgrl9 - September 12 - 2:00 am

  Although I did have to have a few things replaced in the car like everyone else, I was fortunate that it was under warrenty. I recently was in a wreck and the car kept me from being seriously injured. I have a neon rental car now! This one drives even better than the first and is making me think that I might try a newer neon again. I have been informed by reliable mechanics that the newer neons do not have the same problems as the others.