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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  American Rice Power Rules - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Wonghunglow - December 13 - 10:00 am

  Lots of go power, handles great too at speeds over 90, the honda is a sitting duck waiting to get quacked.

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  91 Dodge Shadow - 1991 Dodge Shadow
  By Nebrfan - December 12 - 2:00 am

  I bought the car with 46K and now its at 110k. Its traveled from Seattle to Wisconsin and now to Florida to live. This car has been a great companion. Ive used it for my paper route as well as personal use and all my kids learned to drive in it. Ive had to replace the radiator, brakes (2 times) and have the a/c fixed and of course new tires. But its been a great car.

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  Avenger is a very good car - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By JayTee - December 11 - 5:23 pm

  I just took delivery of a fleet Avenger -its got the 2.7 liter V6. This car has plenty of power. Dont believe the car reviews. Its quiet, smooth,looks like nothing else on the road. The style is quirky, but grows on you. I havent had it long, I have owned two Sebrings before and NEVER had a problem with them. The Avenger surprises me with its extras- outside temp gauge, tire pressure warning, power adj driver seat, 4 wheel disc brakes, and Sirius radio. And the price was unbeatable. Way more room inside than the new Malibu. If I could have, would have picked the SXT If you want to buy American- this car is hard to beat. Why do car mags always give these vehicles a bum rap?

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  Love the RT-10 2002 Viper.......... - 2002 Dodge Viper
  By Vipersrule - December 11 - 2:00 am

  I love the RT-10. Obviously the car is designed to be a power house race car. Nothing more. In that capacity and just flat out gorgeous looks - its the best street legal race car for the money. Nothing turns heads better and the power just plain "ROCKS!"

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  It keeps going and going - 1994 Dodge Dakota
  By Gasque - December 7 - 2:00 am

  I bought this truck new in 1995 after it sat on the lot for 15 months. It has the 3.9L V6 which has performed flawlessly. It has not had any major problems in 7 years. The only minor problem that Ive had is the transmission started only in neutral until the neutral safety switch was replaced. Other than replacing tires and batteries, no other maintenance has been performed that isnt routine, preventative maintenance. I would recommend that other consumers buy the limited slip differential if buying 2WD to help traction in the rain and snow.

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  91 Dakota ext cab se v-8 - 1991 Dodge Dakota
  By Keith J. - December 7 - 2:00 am

  Best in its class...

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  Dodge Intrepid - 1998 Dodge Intrepid
  By Dodge98Intrepid - December 6 - 2:00 am

  Its slow. Its loud inside, the noise coming from the floor and the top of the car is horrific. Never buy a base car again!!! Spend the extra dough and try to get the ES version or R/T.

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  Good Looking Car - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By pfiggs69 - December 5 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Neon used. It had 10k miles and I have had it over a year now and it has run flawlessly until recently. It now has 45k miles and I had to get the air conditioning condensor and door lock replaced. Both were under my extended warranty. Otherwise..The Neon has been great..drives well..roomy. Great looking inside and out. Body hardware is holding up well...expect for the door lock.

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  its okay - 2001 Dodge Neon
  By momma - December 5 - 2:00 am

  This is a comfortable car for a teenager!

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  my durango - 2001 Dodge Durango
  By richard kistner - December 5 - 2:00 am

  I like the vehicles except that it rides very rough. It woould be perfect with a softer ride. Very bouncy on rough roads.