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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  A family staple - 1999 Dodge Caravan
  By GM raised - February 26 - 2:00 am

  Would not have went through toddlers without it. Reliable, reliable, reliable. A little lifter noise at 45,000? Friends had purhased other companies vans about the same time and it reliablity of the dodge was far superior.

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  Power Packed - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By Durdago - February 26 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I traded in her gutless Toyota 4-Runner (purchased before we were married) for a 2001 Durango with the 5.9L engine and the R/T package. Shortly after we moved from Maryland to Oregon (3200 miles). We towed my Mustang on a flat bed trailer, with both cars fully loaded. The Durango did it easily and at 85mph most of the way. We averaged 10mpg@85mph and 13mpg@65mph, while towing.

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  I Love This Thing!!! - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By LoveThisBaby!!! - February 25 - 2:00 am

  This is my first new vehicle. My Previous was a 92 dakota with the v6, and boy oh boy is the V8 worth every penny. This has to be one of the fastest vehichles in production, (for the price). I wish I got the manual instead of the auto and 4wd instead of 2wd, but you cant be picky when shopping off the lot.

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  95 Neon. Not a bad little car - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By John Smith2 - February 24 - 2:00 am

  We may have been lucky and got a good one, but we have had good luck with our 95 Neon. No mechanical issues other than a voltage regulator going. Good mileage, relatively fun to drive with a stick shift. Brakes have always been a little soft, but overall not a bad little car.

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  92 dodge dakota - 1992 Dodge Dakota
  By dakota shawn - February 24 - 2:00 am

  I bought this truck when it had 216,000 miles on it. I only paid $850. I figured i would put a motor in it in a few months but it ran great for two years and then I ended up selling it for $1200.(I did put rims and a paint job on it)This truck was great. I want it back!!If you have on keep it!!!

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  1999 Dodge Caravan - 1999 Dodge Caravan
  By mcphian - February 24 - 2:00 am

  I bought by Caravan with 87,000 miles.. has never left me stranded on the side of the road so that makes it a good vehicle.. Mine has the 3.0L engine which runs good once fully warmed up. (The engine Ticks for a few minutes then goes away).. Sticky Lifters Im assuming (no harm).. rides smooth, gets great gas mileage for a big vehicle, and its plain well laid out.

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  Dodge Magnum RT - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Tom - February 22 - 8:46 am

  I have had a problem on slick roads (midwest) with the anti-slip differential. The traction is very poor for this vehicle. I was told Mercedes had the best anti-slip differential on the market and this car would not have any problems. Not true. I dont like the mixture of the shiny chrome and brush interior items and I am disappointed in the passenger side leg room. When I have someone six feet tall and taller they are cramped for knee space with the seat all of the way back. I had a fog light get broken when I hit an animal in the road and to have it fixed cost $260; which I thought was a little extreme.

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  Awesome for my family - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By pufti - February 22 - 2:00 am

  I bought the car before i got married. Had some questions about the reliability of Chrysler in general. However, this car has beaten all my expectations. It has never failed on me and performs the same now like new .. Its now 3 1/2 years old... Chrysler replaced the computer once (boot wouldnt open).

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  fun for cheap - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By 98neonrt - February 20 - 2:00 am

  my experience has been good with the 98 neon r/t. just look at it for what its worth—a cheap car. build quality and dash components need some work. performance and fun are high points. car corners like a dream—only 2500 lbs— dodge has done a great job with suspension. the dohc requires premium gas, but you get better gas mileage (29/38 mpg) and more power from the engine (150hp.) the seats may feel tight for normal people, but just right for small/skinny people. abs, sun roof, dohc, etc. are some good options. the rear windows didnt come as automatic, though. 5th gear whines and can get a little loud. its a darn good car for the price.

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  Ups and DOWNS - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By Duhd - February 20 - 2:00 am

  When I bought this car, I would have said it was a 10. It had looks, smooth ride, low noise, roomy interior, and power. About 8 months and only 5,000 miles later, it developed a vibration and growling noise. After five visits to the dealer (who really didnt want to work on it) and a letter to Chrysler (who said if I didnt like the dealer, take it somewhere else), the possible cause was the transmission. With some research I found out that this troublesome transmission was the same one used in prior years only to be renamed. Would I buy this car again even though it has looks, comfort, power, etc..? NO! Maybe I just got the lemon of the bunch.