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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  Steves Caravan. - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By steve weir - March 3 - 3:23 am

  The interior trim in the Grand Caravan is cheap, cheap, cheap. Had the vehicle for 2 years and all the plastic parts for the back seats have cracked off. One of the cup holders is also broken. The plastic does not hold up. The rest of the vehicle is great but this trim destroys the vehicle and will keep me from buying a new one.

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  Pretty neat - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By ordinaryguy - March 2 - 2:53 am

  Ive got 48k on mine. Other than a recall for an O2 sensor an a plugged AC filter- no prob. Orig Goodyears still solid. Brakes solid. Fun solid. This thing will haul just about everything and in style. Ride and handling is a lot better than my last GMC. I agree with the quirky tranny shifting. Keep it out of OD in city driving and it will behave better. I get 18 city no problemo after I applied this method. Love the truck!

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  impressed - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By armympof1 - March 1 - 11:14 am

  i bought this car back in sept 2007 never was a big chrysler fan but test drove it and loved it.. i admit the 4cyl was not to my liking so drove the 6cyl 2.7 flexfuel and fell in love. have had a few minor things wrong but all new models usually do.. plus with the lifetime powertrain warranty dont have to much worrys. as far as the flexfuel i get less mileage but more horsepower than with the 87 octain where as with that i get better mileage but less horsepower. so those of you who are car shopping i recommend this vehicle. no complaints here....

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  Beyond my expectations - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By Gringo - March 1 - 7:49 am

  Got the black on black R/T with the 6 speed track pak.I love to start this car and hear the pipes rumble. I ease that clutch and she bites a chunk of pavement and begs for more road to eat up.Second day I had it we went for a 3 hour ride across the state. With 6 gears the motor breathes and sips the gasoline for 22 mpg. On the street people stare at this car like they are watching a magic trick.

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  Ghost Van - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Bobbiem23 - March 1 - 2:06 am

  I had nothing but problems. First, I had the radio replaced and now I am experiencing ghost like things you would find on TV. First the heat would just go off on its own, then the DVD player stopped working and said region not set (whatever that means) and now I just got home and on my way home in the dark, my headlights went completely out. This was very scary because I know it cannot be the battery cause it was only the headlights that went out. I am really fed up with this company. I could have been in a serious accident due to this failure. I am now afraid to drive the van with my kids in it. I bought it a year ago brand new, so why all this fuss?

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  My 2nd Neon - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By ski1981 - February 28 - 8:07 pm

  I brought this vehicle used with 62,127mi on it at a dealer my older sister boyfriend works at, so i got a really good deal on it. My 1st Neon was a 97 Highlight and its life ended around 238k give or take 5k so, I thought I might get lucky with this as well.....omg, I was WRONG!! The heater was not working right, so i took to Dodge(it was still under warranty) they claimed it was the thermostat, but in the process of replacing this thermostat they broke a senser on the intake manifold which made the car idle very high, but they fix that. I STILL HAVE NO HEATER!!! I had to replace the radio about 4weeks after all of that drama. she has been good to me but I will be trading up some for a VW.

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  Dodge CV - 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Charlie - February 28 - 7:53 pm

  We bought this van because we own 2 large Greyhounds and also a small business. The interior is quite spacious and fulfills all of our requirements. We added a roof rack and running boards and these have helped to increase the comfort and utility of the vehicle. Also, we periodically buy indoor/outdoor carpeting to make a safe surface for the dogs. Repairs have been minimal, consisting of water pump and front brakes at 35,000 miles, drivers side power window motor at 22,000 miles. There is a whine from the power steering pump when it is below 45 degrees, but Ive controlled it with Lucas Power Steering fluid. Probably will need to replace the pump this fall.

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  Great Car! Fun to Drive - 2009 Dodge Avenger
  By Ancona - February 27 - 10:25 am

  This is my first car so I can be accused of not being experienced, but I will say from what I can tell. The car is great. It rides smoot and quiet. Very comfortable and has plenty of space for passangers and cargo. It could stand to have some buttons moved around like the hands free button on the left side instead of the right. Overall great car. I love it and plan taking good care of it.

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  curvechasing - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By richard noggin - February 27 - 2:00 am

  after getting a new rt neon and changing the stock factory junk brakes the car handles fairly well,for cornering and countersteering the suspension is the same as the older neon acers after 10k miles of hard driving and 2 sets of front tires it still handles and feels like new.next car will be the srt4,this was just a wait for one to come down closer to 20

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  Do not buy Caravan! - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By tcollie - February 27 - 12:50 am

  Where do I begin? My engine went out at 52,000, the side electric doors operate sporadically, the suspension rattles, the brakes go out very fast, the tranny shifts rough. Do not buy a Caravan!