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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  Good car but looking for a new one - 1996 Dodge Avenger
  By DODGE, here it comes - May 9 - 2:00 am

  I bought my car used two years ago and have had to put a lot of money into it since then. However, the car could have been wrecked for all I know. I do love my car but I have had the check engine light come on and off for the past year. That has caused me to replace all plugs, 2 o2 sensors, and serveral other things. If the car did come out again I would look at buying but only if it had a 100,000 mile warranty. Only AM radio works, unless its the perfect temp outside and Im driving a certain speed. Other than that I have never listened to the FM radio...oh and my alarm has never worked.

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  1995 Dodge Viper RT/10 - 1995 Dodge Viper
  By Nick Strake - May 8 - 2:00 am

  Without a doubt one of the most fun cars ever built to drive. The interior ans options are cheap and basic, but you are too busy having fun to notice anything else besides the road.

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  GOOD - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By MMOGGULL - May 8 - 2:00 am

  VEHICLE ACCOMPLISHES ALL I NEEDED DURING THE 3 YEARS I DROVE IT

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  Love My qc - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By mean16 - May 8 - 2:00 am

  I have had my Dakota for a year now and i have a 27k on it. So far the truck has been great. I tow a 3500 poundboat all over the place and the truck never complains. I have a 4x4 qhad cab with the 4.7 v8 and it has more then enough power for my pulling needs. As for mileage it is what i expected to get, i get 13city/17hwy and 14 towing. Its really not that much worse then the s10 i had before it. I have had only one problem with the truck, i had to have a ball joint boot replaced because it was torn. Other then that its been perfect.

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  Great truck - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By mailman - May 7 - 2:00 am

  2001 Dakota SLT 4x4, This truck has been virtually problem free since purchased. Truck just feels solid, you can tell the difference. I added rear springs for towing a camper and now it no longer jumps out of control on large bumps at fast speeds, made a big difference, the factory should have done this. I have the 4.7 engine, which sounds like the harley of trucks.

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  Good Car Overall - 1999 Dodge Stratus
  By Dodgefam - May 4 - 2:00 am

  We have had our Stratus for about 4 years. I has been a great car with lots of room. However, the passenger side window control does not work. It must be rolled up by the driver and the left rear window control on the drivers console does not allow the window to role up the window. The window must be rolled up from the back control. The truck release seems to stick. On the most part I am very pleased with our car--Lots of pep and a very smooth ride.

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  Fun but Stiff - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By Mo-Jo - May 4 - 2:00 am

  Love the truck styling and power. Very comfortable. Big enough for family and not to still drive a truck.

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  Fun to Drive and Overall Great Truck... - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By onealk - May 4 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned my 02 Dakota SLT Plus 4.7L V8 Manual now for about 2 months. Ive enjoyed every minute of driving it and using it like the truck it is. Ive taken a few trips already with it and enjoyed the comfort of the seats and ride quality. The 4.7L V8 has enough power to propel me down the road with enough force to pass a few cars and merge onto the beltways and freeways.

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  1999 Avenger ES - 1999 Dodge Avenger
  By The Avenger - May 3 - 2:00 am

  When I first looked at it I thought it was too sporty. Great V6 growl, but no real power. Claimed 170hp at about 4800rpm when the timing changes. It set me back in my seat. It handles like a sports car, and has room for 4. Love the huge trunk. The only problems, twice the battery light has come on. When the light was on and I flipped from bright to dim the radio lost power as if the ignition was turned. I also had a problem starting the car. Like it was still in drive and wouldnt even turn over. Thought it was the starter disabling of the security system.

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  hmmmmm - 2003 Dodge Stratus
  By Ka0sZombie - May 2 - 2:00 am

  Good car but the cup holders are in a bad place.