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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  Overall, an Excellent Pickup - 1999 Dodge Dakota
  By Maxwell House - July 26 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my Dakota in November of 1998, and will be selling it just short of 70,000 miles. I do so not because Ive been disappointed with the pickup, but because returning to college makes it necessary. Ive averaged just short of 16mpg, at 15.9, with a short list of modifications. They of course helped with the power, also, so, theyre a great investment. Intake, headers, new exhaust. Do it, youll like the results.

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  Best Car Around for the Money - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By neonspd95 - July 24 - 2:00 am

  Ive read many other reviews that said poorly of this car, but all I can think is that those people simply can not take care of a car, because mine has been really good to me. The car is quite sporty, gets excellent gas milage (provided you dont floor it everywhere) and is quite reliable. My only complaints are some road noise from the frameless windows, and a bit of noise coming from the AC compressor. Other than that, this is a very fun, very solid, very reliable car for its price range - BUT YOU HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF IT FOR IT TO TAKE CARE OF YOU - most ppl dont seem to understand this point...

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  Great little car - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By Richie - July 22 - 2:00 am

  Love the car, very spacious due to long wheelbase. Have the ES model like a car that does not look like an import. Great radio and CD player. Would like a little more power though. Very comfortable on long trips.

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  Its a keeper - 1992 Dodge Dynasty
  By BigDog - July 21 - 2:00 am

  Although it may seem like a granny car its suprisingly quick when you first put the pedal to the floor. The 3.3 V6 makes decent power and has been very reliable, 137,000 miles and no sign of slowin down.

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  Wow this car has suprised me - 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By caravanman - July 18 - 4:23 am

  I purchased 7 years ago at 70,000 miles and now have 196,000. Only changed oil, brakes, starter and water pump. Car just keeps going and going. The paint is peeling off, but the engine keeps humming. Seats seem impossible to stain. everything comes off.

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  great car - 1992 Dodge Shadow
  By scatpack - July 18 - 2:00 am

  only had minor problems-fuel pump, no a/c, timing belt

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  best van dodge - 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By jasonw120 - July 17 - 11:51 pm

  this is my 2nd van 1st was a 1997 voyager mini van, the thing was awsum , i bought it for 100 bucks 140 k miles on it knew trany owner told me tranny was bad replaced it 160k miles had to replace motor ran like a tank in snow, durung pa,s snowmagaden storm in 2009 i damn near used as a snowpow i couldent get stuck if i tryed, i volunteer for fire dept and red cross and took 7 people to shelter during heat of storm with 2 feet of snow on groundm, did not have any problems at all, finly a 1998 dodge grand sport with 180k on it fell in to my lap, it was a fleet leased and company mantined van it is great looken no rust still looks new man dose it got balls to for a van, great van love it

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  Last of a Breed - 1993 Dodge Daytona
  By Mike0663 - July 16 - 2:00 am

  The 1993 Dayona is a somewhat conflicting assembly. Originally designed in the early 80s, the parts of the car not updated over the years (body structure, engine mounting, and rear hatch area) are quite crude. However, much of the car was updated by 1993 to provide a very nice interior, decent drivetrain (V6) and good utility. I once hauled a 50 gallon water heater home in it and it will swallow my entire mountain bike. Want cheap and stylish wheels? Find a low milage, well maintained V6 Daytona!

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  Dodgie - 1999 Dodge Stratus
  By Dodgie - July 15 - 2:00 am

  Poor handling in snow! If you plan on driving this in snow, then Id reconsider. Traction is poor and has difficulty stopping. Airconditioning is weak, but if you plan on being up in the front, its ok. If you are going to having rear passengers, this could be a problem.

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  Why I like Durango - 1998 Dodge Durango
  By McInnes - July 15 - 2:00 am

  Looks solid, but rides too bouncy.