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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  FAST AS FAST CAN BE - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Magnum 44 - March 14 - 4:26 pm

  This is one of the sweetest vehicles Ive driven. Plenty of room and feels like you were shot out of a gun when you walk on it at any speed. Has a nice exhaust note without being intrusive, handles great with a firm but comfortable ride. I guess the styling is love it or leave it as there is nothing out there quite like it. I personaly love it and find I have more compliments and questions from others than I have ever had before, and Ive had a lot of new vehicles. The gas mileage is respectable about 19 MPG with a 50/50 mix of hiway and city driving, going up to 28 MPG on a hiway trip. Winter driving is OK but on glare ice it could use a set of ice radials, which I cant find in this size.

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  Dodge has been hooked on the Dakota! - 2006 Dodge Dakota
  By Tim - March 14 - 5:45 am

  I have owned nothing but Dodge Dakotas and driven nothing but Dodge Dakotas. Before my new Dodge Dakota 2005 was purchased, my first truck I bought in 1996 and it really made me feel good about driving. And I continued that same feeling buying the 2005 model and am loving even more! So if you are looking for a truck out there that is relatively inexpensive, has a great look to it, and comes with a variety of options, then the Dodge Dakota is exactly what you are looking for! :-)

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  Going GREAT GUNS at 100,000 miles - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By quenoharts - March 13 - 2:00 am

  We bought this car at an auction. At the time it was only a year old but had been taken care of well. It had 60,000+ miles when we purchased it. It had been a corprate car used for a lot of highway miles. We got it with new tires & we believe new brakes. No problems so far. We get over 350 miles to the tank (17 gal, I believe). Great excelleration, even on long uphill stretches. Runs away from anything. Smooth ride but all weather tires make for a noisy ride. Very comfortable for long drives or short. Handles well in cornering. Loads of trunk space. Full size snowboard (for 6 son) fits inside trunk with all the other gear. Cant say enough good stuff about this car. Thanks Dodge.

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  Solid Truck - 1992 Dodge Dakota
  By MOtorPARts - March 12 - 5:22 pm

  If youre looking for a great truck, find one of these! Mine has well over 300,000 miles and is as solid and reliable as most new trucks. The only cons I can think of is not much to the interior for room and with my standard cab. Hauls and tows like a full-size. Dodge made sure they had a great truck before they put their name on it!

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  Invigorating Intrepid - 1998 Dodge Intrepid
  By Karl Becker - March 10 - 12:11 pm

  The most recent 4 vehicles of my wifes and mine have been Chrysler products so I looked for another when someone rammed my Dodge Stratus (that I drove for 218,000 miles). I was able to find this Intrepid through the AutoTrader.com link from Edmunds while I was evaluating a Dodge Neon.The Intrepid is a remarkably smooth riding vehicle, especially considering that I purchased it used with 96,000 miles on it. I drive 45 miles one way on country New England roads each day and suffer from a fractured pelvis, the ride of the Intrepid is so smooth that I am able to handle the commute easily. The 2.7liter V6 engine has remarkable pick up and cruise ability. Handling in snow and rain is also great.

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  Bold and Aggressive - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By K. HARRIS - March 10 - 10:47 am

  I have owned the car for two months now and I am loving it. The ride is comfortable the interior is roomy, handling is great and it gives you that SUV feel.

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  Dodge, Intrepid - 2000 Dodge Intrepid
  By Amanda - March 9 - 11:24 pm

  I love this car. Im a mom with two kids. I can still take two other adults with me easily and at times I have fit six people. I can easily fit three carseats across the back and not feel crowded. I can feel young, even on the way to story time or kindergarten. Ive taken my beloved across country and she handles beautifully! Acceleration is instant and I can pass anyone. I love how I feel driving her too. I have a lot of pain, but I can drive long hours in this car and not die later. My old Saturn couldnt do that for me.

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  2004 Neon SXT - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Morticia - March 8 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my 2004 Neon this month and I love it! It handles great and it rides smooth. It is sporty but yet a family car. All my friends love it!

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  Best Bang for the Buck - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Cracked-Out Neon - March 8 - 2:00 am

  Test drive this car, and you will fall in love with it. Very fast car for 21k.

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  Fun to drive - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By texdew - March 8 - 12:00 am

  Purchased the Charger SXT last week and have had a ball driving it. Favorite Feature: The style of the outside and practicality of the inside.(4 doors and large trunk) Improvement: No sunroof/moonroof. Suggestion: Go buy one!