Dodge Research & Reviews

Overview & Reviews

Average Score

4.18/5 Average
11,324 Total Reviews
Make Overview:

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:

Showing 3051 through 3060 of 11,324.00
  • My New Car - 2004 Dodge Neon
    By -

    I bought my car on Feb. 5, 2004. It had 15 miles on it when we bought it and I love the way it drives and feels in my hands. I have a baby on the way and I know I can depend on it to be a very safe car to bring my baby home in and to carry her around in.

  • Only one in the hood - 2004 Dodge Durango
    By -

    We where looking for something a little diferent that no one else had and yet my wife wanted to get out of the Mini Van era. We where after a vihicle that had some style room and drove like a car and not a truck. The power handling and performance of the vehicle was evident after the first test drive. We love the interior design as it is not cluttered and offer somewhat of a European look that is clean and egornomic.

  • Journey review at 3800 miles - 2009 Dodge Journey
    By -

    Was reluctant to buy Journey but was replacing a van and liked the style. So far is a great car. Avg mpg has been 24.5 with a low of 21.3 and high of 26.1. Ride is comfortable, quiet and steady. Just finished 1500 mile trip and loved driving the car. So far everything works including tire monitor which came on when I picked up a nail

  • Worry Free Travel - 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan
    By -

    The 1300 mile drive to Georgia and back was a plesant driving experience. We found out first hand about its handling capability as far as manuvering around road debris. We had to swerve around large chunks of tires a couple of times and didnt feel the least bit uncomfortable as far as feeling like we might roll over or lose control. Excellent in my book. We plan on several trips to Georgia and back, and look forward to doing it in this vehicle.

  • My first car was a disaster - 2003 Dodge Neon
    By -

    Needed a car to get to work and college. Bought a used 2003 Dodge Neon from dealership with 54,000 miles on it. Ran great for the first few months. Then it idled rough so I replaced spark plugs and wires. Ran good for a while. Had trans flushed at 62,000 miles and things went downhill. Radiator ruptured two months later. Trans fluid leaked out, coolant fluid contaminated the trans. Replaced radiator. At 68,500 miles had AAMCO inspect it. Said trans was good but needed to replace motor mounts.The day before Thanksgiving the transmission went(71,000 miles) Mechanic says the coolant fluid that got in the trans, destroyed it. Thought it would be an easy maintenance first car. Boy was I wrong!

  • FINALLY - 2009 Dodge Challenger
    By -

    Oh man, this beast is absolutely awesome! Base non-leather seats are very comfortable and supportive. The pistol-grip 6-speed shifts very well and the clutch isnt heavy at all - the take-up is a little high, but you quickly get used to it. The hill- holder feature comes in handy on hills. The performance of the 5.7 is truly exceptional, and gets noticeably better after 1000 miles. Plan for some extra time at gas stops, as youll get swarmed by various gawkers and wannabes - this car gets more attention than a Ferrari. The styling is absolutely spot-on, better than the 2006 concept - hard to believe this is the same company that makes the ugly Chrysler Sebring and Jeep Compass.

  • Its been an o.k. van - 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan
    By -

    We have put almost 98,000 miles. No major problems, transmission makes some noise when shifting. The electronics are unreliable - Dealer had to recalibrate a/c twice when battery was replaced. I am on the 3rd battery. Brakes need replacing every 30k miles. Tires only last 30k and few options when replacing. Engine is very sluggish when ambient tempature is higher than 95F. Doors automatically lock at 15mph, this could be a safety concern if a quick exit is needed in an accident.

  • Do not buy this vehicle! - 2003 Dodge Neon
    By -

    Despite taking great care of my car, Ive had nothing but problems with it. My brakes have needed work on multiple occasions. Ive had to call AAA three times in the past 6 months alone due to the car breaking down and leaving me stranded, all at less than 55,000 miles. Dodge acknowledges there are many issues with the cars radiator, but they wont do anything to help you, even when the problematic radiator fries your transmission and needs costly repair work. My Neon has eaten 2 radiators in the past month alone, and Ive given up on it at this point. Avoid this car completely unless you want to spend $500+ each year on costly repairs that a reliable vehicle wouldnt even need.

  • Transmission and other concerns - 2009 Dodge Journey
    By -

    I have now owed my Journey for four months and it has been in the shop for about a month of that time. I have had a new transmission installed at 6000 miles. I drove it for 4 days to have a pinion seal leak transmission fluid all over the parking lot. That repaired and now the new transmission is showing the same signs as the prior one. It does not want to shift smooth into second. I keep getting engine lights and they stated that I have an emmisons leak and they are working on finding that. The dealership is great with the repairs and the help with the car but no matter how much I love the car itself but it does not a reliable choice for someone driving as much as I do with the kids..

  • Never Again - 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
    By -

    Ill never buy another Dodge/Chrysler product again. Too many problems (trans, starter, belt tensioner, AC, etc., etc.) Seems like everytime I get something fixed, something else breaks! Also poor service from the dealer.

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