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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  Nice Truck - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By Vegas Dave - October 25 - 2:00 am

  I just got it, so its hard to give a fair review.... but so far Ive put about 2500 miles on it with some off-road and it handles and rides well.

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  Number 5 is Alive - 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Temecula 4 - October 25 - 2:00 am

  Well, we just traded in our 4th Chrysler Van product in a row, a 2005 GC. We got the 2010 Hero with great factory and dealer incentives. And while reliability at over 90,000 miles has never been a Chrysler strong suit, the functionality of the GC is unsurpassed in its class. The unbelievable selling pint to buy one of these NOW, is the available Lifetime unlimited miles bumper to bumper warranty. that I have never felt before. We have had Stow n Go seating on the 05, and are please to see it is still offered in 2010. Driving the new van home it felt solid and sporty. Acceleration and passing power are ample with the 3.8. I have owned the 3.3 and do not recommend it.

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  Dodge 2.7 Engine a Lemon - 2000 Dodge Intrepid
  By john - October 24 - 5:02 pm

  This is a beautiful car inside and outside. My complaint is that the oil got burned out the exhaust very slowly until the crank went! No warning lights, buzzers, or other indicators that the oil was extremely low and the engine overheating. Dodge refuses to stand behind their lemon engine. Thousands of sad stories like this are on the Internet. I will never buy another north American vehicle again. Im finished with them. Jds

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  My Second One - 1997 Dodge Intrepid
  By HotTopMan - October 24 - 4:13 pm

  This is my second ES AUTOSTICK, and like the first one I love it. Great car, no problems. Made to take the abuse. Just minor repairs, like any other car. People do not remember that you do have to replace parts they wear out eventually. I have 196,000 on it now and it is going strong. Still as powerful as a new car. One suggestion to people, this is not a good car for a first time drive, too much power, too large.

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  challenge this - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By tguy - October 24 - 3:23 pm

  I purchased this car two weeks ago and have put just over 2000 miles. "use it for work and pleasure" Everyone is impressed by the car looks and asks the usual questions, what size motor, how fast, blah, blah. I traded in a Mini Cooper S works car so the first thing I noticed is the roomy interior. A bit more power would be nice, but opted for better mileage. Handling was a surprise for this size of car. Much better than I expected. Road noise, what road noise. Electrics are smooth and quiet. Comfort and driving position superb. Yup, happy I got it...

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  Winter Mustang - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By Lizard - October 24 - 11:02 am

  After researching, just bought this off-lease from Mopar dealer. 2004s were built during Daimler "marriage," so lets hope for decent quality/reliability. Apparently, 4.7 L Magnum is only 5% thirstier than sluggish V6. I bought this 4x4, as I store my 06 Mustang (from harsh salt, Canadian winters). Box will come in handy for Reno projects, too. May add cat-back exhaust for better sound & fuel economy. Recent combined, stop n go Toronto traffic + 120 km/hr (70 mph) highway yielded 17.6 imperial mpg. Really didnt want/need full size p/u. Rangers/S10/etc, is too small in rear (ok for small kids), Dakota just right size. 1/2 price of Nissan/Toyota V6 Quad. Local driving, so $1.00 a liter, is ok

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  Bobs Review - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By MAURICE R MILLER JR - October 24 - 2:46 am

  The first two thousand miles we had tire monitor problems, engine vibration at idle and windshield delaminating. All of the discrepancies were corrected by the dealer with no hassle. Since then, the van has been doing fine and think it will do as well as other makes.

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  dodge durango review - 2001 Dodge Durango
  By dunk - October 23 - 1:05 pm

  I bought this truck new in 2001. Other than replacing the AC I have only had it in the shop for maintenance (brakes, tires, oil changes etc.) I have taken it on long trips multiple times and have used it to travel back and forth to work. Never had a break down. Lots of storage for long trips and plenty of room for 6 large guys for those trips to the ball game. I have also drove it on the beach every summer since Ive had it. Great off road vehicle. Hope to have this truck for many years to come.

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  Nice family van with several issues - 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By PeteK - October 23 - 5:36 am

  I got a chance to own this vehicle for a period of 12 months which gave me a chance to do a fair evaluation of this product. Let me state first that I do like this vehicle. I purchased one with the weakest engine, so I do sometimes wish I had spent more money and should have gotten at least the 3.8 L one. I had issues with the rotors at 7K which is a well documented issue with this vehicle and now at 11k had a problem with front wheel bearings going bad which is another documented issue. Otherwise, the vehicle is solid with several immaterial shortcomings. I will be looking to trade it in and get the 2011 year model for this brand new 3.6 L Engine and 6AT transmission.

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  cool 4 everyone - 2008 Dodge Caliber
  By alvin - October 22 - 8:32 pm

  having added theis 22 inch rims, i blew competition out the water fashion wise, black on chrome. if i wanted a too fast and furious on the show, id have a mustang in my driveway with turbo or something. Im wheelchair bound and love the 60 40 folding seats four my wheel chair. Its room galore just like in my minivan but with tons more fun.