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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  Would not recomend - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By Avenger - February 8 - 9:14 pm

  Poor gas millage, poor interior design, poor performance. It feels very heavy for I4 engine. Very poor handling around the corners. Seats are hard. Not comfy. door packets are so small you can not even put an envelope. Steering soft but wobbly like Lincoln towncar. 0 to 60 forever. Only good thing is the slick look, other than that no comparison

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  Nothing but tranny issues - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By thatoneguy09 - February 8 - 12:46 pm

  I bought this car new toward the end of 2002. Drove fine for the first 1 1/2 years then started having tranny problems. Would jerk real hard when down shifting almost locking the front tires up. Dealer replaced every internal part and the problem still wasnt fixed. Took it back about 2 months later and they said they could not find anything wrong. Well another 4 months or so and it started it again this time it was the harness and they replace it. Well another 3-4mths it had again. they replace the speed sensor and harness. and now for the 10th time total they are replacing all internals in the tranny again. Do not buy this car used.

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  An awesome machine - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By 09challenger - February 8 - 12:14 pm

  I recently purchased an 09 challenger Hemi R/T Black/Black, leather, Trak Pak. Got $4000 off sticker and 0% for 48 months. A bargain. I have purchased over 20 cars since 1986, including some expensive German iron, and the Challenger is in a class by itself. You are truly the king of the road in this car. It is more than just a retro design excercise, it is a great car in its own right, and possibly the last of its kind. If you are thinking about getting one, do yourself and the economy a favor and do it. You wont regret it.

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  OK then Died at 115K - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By Goser - February 8 - 11:47 am

  I gambled when I bought this car. My brother works for Chrysler so I thought that I would keep him employed. Frequent brake replacements, Car ok til 70K major repairs= $2500 Luckily I had 7 year 100K drivetrain warranty. This year the engine over heated cost me 2K,(mistake) then the engine blew about 2 months later. Figured tranny next so I junked it. If I would have bought Toyota it would have still been running and worth money. DONT buy a used one unless you have a death wish!

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  Never Again - 2003 Dodge Intrepid
  By pepsi512 - February 8 - 11:03 am

  Stay Away, I will never own Dodge again. within 1 month of owning, blown head gasget, blown pressure relief valve, Replaced. Then engine lght stays on..no power uphills, sludge build up in engine (oil changed correclty) Misses, overheats. Cant see when backing up vision field limited. I would highly recommend if you are thinking of buying an intrepid research not only this year but many others have severe engine trouble. I cant wait to trade it in if I can ever get it to run long enough to trade in! Value drops.

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  simply amazing - 2009 Dodge Charger
  By eric w. - February 7 - 7:52 pm

  I just got the 09 super bee in hemi orange pearl and it is amazing the color the sound of the 6.1l hemi the handling the looks the 500 watt kicker audio system u name it everything about this car is amazing i would reccomend avoiding the all-season tires if you dont need them they jeprodize the cars hand and sqeel alot under hard cornering and braking

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  Great SUV, but - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Bobby - February 7 - 6:06 am

  Have about 1000 on my machine so far and all the pieces are still together. Gas mileage about what I expected, 28mpg highway. Dont know just why some duck put 19in. rims on this thing but here in northern N.B. most of us have extra wheels with snow tires. No one has 19 in. snow tires (scared to ask how much). Base wheels are 16 in. and would be OK except cant get them, sold out so far. Comfortable and quietest Dodge Ive owned so far.

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  Great Truck - 2007 Dodge Durango
  By Jimssn697 - February 6 - 3:29 pm

  I ordered my Durango from the dealer. I got the Adventurer with the 5.7 and the tow package and 3.73 rear. I get 17.5 on the highway. I love the power, drop the hammer, and itll smoke any truck. The split third row is great, and heated leather seats are a must. My only complaint is the rack and pinoin steering, with the AWD, when it hits a bump, the wheel tends to jerk to the right. The windshield is also too far forward, making the passenger side A-pillar a major blind spot when driving around a sharp left turn. I also ordered the 4WD transfer case. Havent had much snow in south Jersey yet, but it handles great in mud and the snow weve had.

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  A Rough Fifteen Years - 1995 Dodge Intrepid
  By mobilemechanicman - February 6 - 1:43 am

  I bought this intrepid from its third owner. Considering the abuse it recieved from the last owner, I was amazed to see it even run. It has the 3.3L and it gets 16mpg in town and 28mpg on the highway. I will swear by the intrepid as long as Im a qualified technition.

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  Bad fit/trim - Beware 19" tires - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By mbardsley - February 5 - 2:13 pm

  After having this vehicle for a few months, I really am not that excited over it anymore. Lots of interior fit/finish issues that lots of people having. The make-up mirrors on the visor, will be the first to break, very cheap. Watch out on your brakes, this vehicle will eat breaks in 10k, and warp the roters. I do work of a large rental car company, and they have major issues with this vehicle and its breaks. 19" Kumo tires, avoid the 19" option. The tires are cheap crap, went through 3, road hazards, thin sidewalls, soft tread, and you cant get the tires. Discount can get them, order only.