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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  GREAT VEHICLE!!!!!!! - 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Marisa - January 21 - 2:00 am

  We just had 20 inches of snow and my 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport just BLEW threw the snow without sliding at all.... what a great, heavy reliable vehicle... I feel SO safe in this vehicle!!!

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  Awesome Car - 1993 Dodge Shadow
  By nickmatt8191 - January 21 - 12:01 am

  Great car. Has some rust & some body damage seeing as it had hit a deer when i bought it. but,it still runs great. Just needs a belt replaced.

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  Caliber Rocks - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By oscal - January 20 - 6:26 pm

  Ive had the Caliber SXT for about 6 mounths now and I love almost everthing about it. I have 2 kids and I was headed into a minivan until I saw this in a magazine and I bought one 2 days later. I never even test drove it.

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  In sweet love - 1994 Dodge Shadow
  By raelee07 - January 20 - 10:54 am

  So, I have had my Shadow for almost four years. And I am super super impressed. It has on it 225,904 miles on it and I am keeping it climbing. I do a lot of traveling. My transmission does not slip a bit and the only big repair I have had to do was the radiator. I tell you no lies. I have had probaby 5 people in the last year offer me at least a grand for it but you know what? Not going anywhere. If and when it does die I want to be the one driving it. If youve got one of these cars, be smart and keep that bad boy. Long live the shadow.

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  Worst thing ever built! - 2001 Dodge Intrepid
  By buckeyekitty - January 19 - 10:17 pm

  This car is honest to goodness, the biggest piece of junk ever! We have owned it since 2002 & have had nothing but trouble. The brakes have been a major issue from the start. The air has gone out multiple times. Replaced the engine at 60k miles. Oil light flickers..been to 2 dealership, neither can seem to figure it out. Had to replace a window motor. Now the heater box needs to be replaced. Nothing is simple to fix on this beast. Nickle & dimed to death. Way too may issues for one vehicle. I have cursed this car for many many years & this week I finally get to junk it! Yea! Done with Dodge!

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  Young mans ride - 1991 Dodge Stealth
  By DANO - January 19 - 8:24 pm

  I bought mine from an older gentleman who took exelent care of it. Its a beautiful royal blue. It has the twin turbo hood resembles Batmobile. Inside sets too low for me. I was disapointed to find out it was not a true Dodge but rather a Mitsubushi drivetrain. Maybe this is why motor and tranny dont last long but mine has because have babied it. I will be selling it soon, maybe if it had a real Hemi like a 426, I would keep it.

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  360,000 miles on engine! - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By Rabbit - January 18 - 8:28 pm

  My Dodge Neons engine came from another that was in a roll-over accident, so the engine currently has about 360k on it and still running strong. (updated head gaskets as soon as it started acting up) Its amazing how it gets the mileage of a pile of junk Ford Escort but the comfort and smooth ride of an Intrepid. Overall, a beautiful car. Just be sure if you buy one, its got updated head gaskets. Thats the only problem Ive had.

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  Great Long Term Value - 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Doug_H - January 18 - 3:13 pm

  Purchased used w/17K miles in 2000. Has been a great long term value. Minimal cost to own. ES model has everything available at the time. 3.8 ltr has plenty of power @ 180hp. Hauls 7 comfortably. Great on long trips. Live in TX, van has been to CA and back and Orlando, FL and back plus many trips to surrounding states. Avgs 23 mpg city/hwy. Gotten 29 mpg on hwy, avg 25. As of 5/09, have 229K. Rebuilt Trans. at 190K. New Cat. Converter at 185K. No other major mechanical issues, just stuff that wears out-alternator, water pump, pulleys misc sensors and switches, etc. Would buy again but wife wants something different after 10 yrs. 1999 ES model still best looking w/17in. wheels.

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  2001 Dodge Intrepid SE 4dr Sedan (2.7L 6 - 2001 Dodge Intrepid
  By vince - January 18 - 2:48 pm

  I bough my 01 SE when it was 14 months and 20500 miles old. Now 72000mi. Dealer change electric fan second year. Check engine light which dealer took 6 months to figure it was an leaking polution hose. Under extended coverage dealer changed a/c coil under the dash. I changed front rotors radiator drain plug tune up tires and pads.Had smog stuff serviced. Headlight buckets getting dull. Engine and front wheel drive noise after 50000 mi.

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  Love it except for MPG - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By 2late - January 18 - 4:00 am

  Its an 08, but had been sitting on lot for a year (500 miles). Why? I guess cause its LOADED with everything EXCEPT leather. And "sunburst orange pearlcoat," which is to say "rust" colored. Anyway, they took $10K off the sticker. Its a 4.0 L. Funny how the 08 4Ls dont have the 25 MPG rating that the 09 4Ls do. How did Chrysler squeeze 2 more MPG out of the same engine in 09? Dealer doesnt even know what Im talking about, or pretends not to. But love the acceleration. Alas, Im getting 15 MPG in town. And in the 6 wks Ive owned it, this has happened 4 times: engine starts but no lights or A/C. Jiggle the key, and it all comes back on, but A/C blows HOT AIR for 5 min!