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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  after 10 years - 1993 Dodge Caravan
  By anonymous - July 22 - 2:00 am

  1 owner, leaking oil, new shocks, new transmission, new front brake rotors and calipers, new windshield, been stolen once, failed aircare twice this year after 10 years of abuse. the air conditioner doesnt without making a loud screeching noise. engine makes a ticking noice when idling. automatic transmission shifter feels uneasy.

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  Works well - 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By North of 49 - July 21 - 10:00 am

  Have owned this Dodge Grand since new. Has worked great. Very few problems. If used for city driving can be hard on front brakes, check them often. Have serviced the trans regularly, and had no difficulty.

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  Our first van - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By SFR - July 21 - 10:00 am

  We are very happy with our new van. It is as comfortable to ride in as our Buick LaSabre. We LOVE the stow n go features. I highly recommend this van. We have never bought a new vehicle before but when we saw all the wonderful options, we knew we couldnt settle for less than this make and model.

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  Still fast after all these years! - 1990 Dodge Daytona
  By WTtech2 - July 21 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive. A real value for the money. Still stylish after 14 yrs. At the track, this car did the 1/4 mile in 12.97 seconds @ 107.31 MPH!

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  wish i opted for the extended warrenty - 1996 Dodge Dakota
  By joshua - July 21 - 2:00 am

  i own a 96 dakota club cab slt with 3.9l v6 auto 90k miles.reliability is its biggest shortcomming.the transmission went out at 30k fixed under warenty,and has never really shifted smoothly.other problems include the a.c.,water pump leak,plenium gasket leak, alternator, dash lights,fuel gage. the v6 feels underpowered i would recommend the v8. on the plus side it is larger then it competitors, and averages a respectable 16mpg in mixed driving.

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  A solid Car - 1998 Dodge Stratus
  By Dodge Driver - July 20 - 2:00 am

  Good car - had to replace head gasket at about 80k, but no major issues

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  Love my Car - 1998 Dodge Avenger
  By PackersJd - July 20 - 2:00 am

  Well I have only owned this car for about 6 months but I can tell you that it is an excellent car for the price. I got all the cool special features I wanted for a reasonable price. The only thing that was a problem was if you replace the stock deck in the car you cant have the factory amp hooked up, and I have blown a few of the stock speakers but thats probably do the the weather in Michigan. Other then that small inconvience, its a great car

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  crap!!!! - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By mcujiu - July 20 - 2:00 am

  I have had my stratus for only one year. All i drive is highway miles, the easiest miles on your car. Well, now that my warenty is almost up i have had to replace the tourq converter, and the front tie rods. What else is going to break once my warrenty is up? All i have been hearing now is how cheap dodge has been making their cars. I am starting to beleive it. I wont buy another chystler product.

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  Best bang for your buck - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By Badco - July 16 - 2:00 am

  Ive had the car for 5 years and 69,000 miles. Love driving this car. Alot of fun to drive everyday. Ive had the head gasket replaced under warranty at 45K. EGR valve several times. Sunroof assembly replaced once. Other than that it has been a wonderful car to me. Well worth the money paid. I plan on keeping this car for a long time.

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  2000 G.C. SE - 2000 Dodge Caravan
  By FLORESJOE - July 16 - 2:00 am

  IM BEEN PLEASED FOR 2-1/2 YAERS, WITH THIS VAN.TRANSMISSSION HOSE AND THE BATTERY,THE ONLY THING THAT HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH 60,000 MILES ON IT.STILL HAVE ORIGINAL TIRES (G.Y.REGATTA 2) GREAT TIRES