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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  New Stratus R/T - 2003 Dodge Stratus
  By dodgeboy11 - November 1 - 2:00 am

  Ive only put on a couple hundred miles, but here is my first impressions: Fun to drive w/ excellent handling. Good feel of brakes. Steering a little over sensitive, but responsive. Horsepower OK...nothing to write home about. I have noticed a couple squeaks and rattles inside...typical Dodge. Overall, about the most fun you can have in a car that is still practical.

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  Mr. Durango (as my kids call it) - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By Rayzak - October 31 - 10:00 am

  This new Durango surprized me in many ways. I owned a 2000 SLT and this one is light years ahead of it as far as fit and finish, refinement, comfort, quietness, and rear-seat comfort. The exterior still is taking me a while to warm up to, but the interior is magnificent. It drives so quietly and smoothly, its hard to believe im driving a 5000+ pound vehicle. The stereo is the best ive heard coming from the factory and I love the new head unit. Ive got the 4.7L and its a great enging (once again, very quiet and refined). I had an 03 Ram with the Hemi and thats a great engine. If towing is needed, then definetly go with the Hemi.

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  Glad I got rid of it - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By donny - October 31 - 2:00 am

  when we got the car it ran for a while, then the transmission went sour, then the engine went sour, so we got rid of it. the thing came, however, came with an awesome stock sound system.

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  Good value for the price - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Mopar - October 29 - 5:43 am

  We traded in a Dodge Durango for this smaller SUV. I did have to take it in for a steering problem two days after I took delivery, they replaced the steering reservor and the streeing is great. No real complants, other than I am disappointed with the in town gas mileage.

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  A Great Driver - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By PAL - October 29 - 2:00 am

  Other than the hassles with the initial purchase from a deceatful dealership, the car itself has been truely suprising. Bought as a future long distance daily driver with hopes of economy and good gas mileage....and can you believe it they are all true. The car is exactly as it spells out in the brochure.

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  Never a Problem - 1998 Dodge Durango
  By JLM - October 28 - 2:00 am

  There doesnt seem to be much middle ground on the Durango, love it or hate it. I love it, never had one problem and it has been a great family car. Terriffic styling, solid feel, and very versatile with 3 rows but shorter than a minivan. Highly recommend it to anyone.

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  Fun but expensive! - 1991 Dodge Stealth
  By Firehawk5th - October 26 - 2:00 am

  If you love performance then this is the car, if in good shape and all service intervals have been taken care of. I own a 1991 Twin Turbo. It is probably the best handling car I have ever owned. I have owned many sports cars. The sound of the turbos is awesome. The car will fly! But these cars are expensvie to maintain also. Parts are priced high and usually simple things require a lot of labor at dealers or your local mechanic. Just follow the intervals to the "T" and you will ok. But this is an awesome machine and will get you in trouble!

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  Dodge Intrepid ES is the best vehicle - 1998 Dodge Intrepid
  By Rachel - October 26 - 2:00 am

  I have owned a intrepid for 1 year. They are great winter cars, very reliable no major problems. Brakes may go out more than they should. 3.2L 24valve engine is very peppy.Autostick on ES models is a cool toy. Very sporty. The best vehicle to buy if you want a large sedan.

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  Good, basic transportation - 1991 Dodge Spirit
  By PaulD - October 25 - 2:00 am

  We bought the car as a demo car, back a long time ago. 10 years later, the car still runs great. Its not perfect, weve had a few things go wrong over the years. But what do you expect for an inexpensive basic car? The number of things to go wrong has been I think below average for a car with 200,000 miles on it.

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  Great when motor runs - 1992 Dodge Stealth
  By abomb - October 24 - 2:00 am

  I looked into geting a steatlh after seeing my friends 91 twin turbo. They are grat cars with awsome power looks and plenty of great features. They only problem is the engines dont last. Mine has 81,000 miles on it three days after I bought it I spun an bearing and that it, new engine. My frind with the 91 did the same a couple of weeks before I bought mine now they are both in the same shop getting the engines rebiult, very expensive. I still like the car and cant wait to get it back.