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:

• 

  Love our van - 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Bockhowierrr - May 27 - 10:00 am

  We just bought this van a week ago, so reliability will have to wait to be determined. But so far, we love it! Very spacious, captain chairs are nice, easy to move, and remove. 3.3 V6 is plenty of power if not pulling anything behind it. We thought of buying 2003, but found a 2002 w/ 12,000 miles for $10,000 less! Dual climate control is sweet, as is rear climate control. Nice van!

• 

  2WD Extended Cab SLT Dakota - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By John - May 26 - 3:53 pm

  Has been a great truck, and other than normal wear parts,(brakes, tires, etc...) I have had nothing wrong with it. Still drives like the day I got it.

• 

  Cant stop talking about my car - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Erica - May 25 - 2:26 am

  I have owned my car over a year now, and everyone around me is already sick of how much I talk and talk about it. I have had owners of much more expensive sporty sedans, coupes, and true two- seater sports cars try out my SRT-4 and to a person have all been amazed at its power, acceleration and performance. Fun to drive is an over simplification. When I mention the price, it cant be believed. Reading professional reviews, most complaints are about the interior. Well, I say, Id take a toned-down interior to be able to afford this kind of power and performance! In my opinion, I want all of the "bells and whistles" under the hood.

• 

  Cant go wrong here... - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By Anchorsaweigh - May 23 - 4:47 pm

  Stepped down from a 2001 Ram 1500 4X4 to something that wouldnt cost me $100 per week in gas. Runs quiet, smooth, and handles very well. Smooth shifting and transitioning to 4WD. Dash layout and ergonomics well thought out. Excellent fuel economy, although I had expected better. But, 20MPG sure beats the heck out of 11MPG any day of the week. The 3.7L V-6 has a lot of pep and powers up when you need it. I would recommend this vehicle.

• 

  Lucky me! LOL - 2000 Dodge Intrepid
  By Satisfied guy - May 21 - 2:27 pm

  I bought my Intrepid at the end of the model year, paid $19k for it new , 0% financing, no $ down. My car has never been back to the dealer, except once, around 65K miles on a roadtrip when the engine light came on. Found a local dealership, (while still driving, ty cell phone). Dealer took me in Friday 2:30pm, changed my cam sensor for $325, and I was on my way. Car now has 96K on it, and I havent had any other problems. Of course my door seals have shrunk, but no need to replace them as I see it. I change my oil at Jiffy Lube every 3-5k. After reading these reviews Id say I must just be a really lucky man-lol OH yeah, drivers window clamp broke,no doubt from overuse! big deal-

• 

  Satisfaction - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By Mike Hoffman - May 20 - 5:27 pm

  Impressed with the ride and handling. Researched several other new trucks and this seemed to be the best quality for the buck. Almost got the Ram 1500 but didnt need the size. Have no regrets about buying this truck. Will keep for a long time.

• 

  Great Car - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Lela - May 20 - 10:00 am

  My Dodge Neon is my first new car. I must say, I love it. The sound system is great, ask for the chromed tires!! As a teenager, I fully enjoy this car, its so much fun to drive, and its affordable! Way to go Dodge!

• 

  AN AQUIRED TASTE - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By DOUGNOSSER - May 20 - 10:00 am

  After driving the car now for a month, It still surprises me with its power and roadhandling capability. Turbo lag is non-existant and the car never stops pulling.

• 

  Simply Grand Caravan - 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By marycc6 - May 20 - 10:00 am

  I love the Dodge Grand Caravan. It is easy to handle, very comfortable and I can easily get five loud eight year olds or just one squirmy two year old into it. The ride is smooth, the pick up is great, and the interior is sleek and convenient.

• 

  Very comfortable cruiser - 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By homerkc - May 20 - 8:01 am

  Weve had the SXT van for a month, incl. one 2000 mi. trip, and it is great! We saw 28mpg on the highway (both by the dash display and by calculation at fill-up), 18-20 in town. For a van with the comfort and flexible space it offers, the mileage is terrific. Its also nice to drive; not too floaty over bumps, good steering feel. And the power from the pentastar engine is strong. All in all, Id buy another without question.