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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  Dodge Stratus R/T - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By freddy87@aol.com - May 7 - 10:00 am

  Great performer, not much for comfort. Cluch,and transmission not what expeted. Otherwise great car.

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  2002 Grand Caravan ex - 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By JohnyD - May 7 - 10:00 am

  Looked at all minivans and pared the list down to the Honda, Mazda and Grand Caravan. I refuse to be railroaded into paying $3k over MSRP for a car, so the Honda was out. We ended up buying the Grand Caravan ex and hit the road on a 1200 mile road trip from SoCal to Lake Powell and back. We hit extreme temps, rain, wind, sand storms and the van took it all like a champ. Very comfortable and well thought out vehicle. I am still a little worried about the reliability of the power train, but with the 7yr/100k warranty, I think that is covered. Great van for a great price.

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  Whooooa! - 2005 Dodge Viper
  By Brett - May 5 - 4:42 pm

  Ive owned my Dodge Viper SRT-10 for about 12 months now. Ive owned over 16 cars and this is by far the most powerful, awe-inspiring, attention getting, like you are at an amusement park fun to drive car I have ever experience. The value of this car when comparing price to performance is simply unbeatable. This in not an everyday driver, but is great fun on the weekends and coastal trips. For the automotive enthusiasts the Viper SRT-10 is a must have.

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  My Dodge is great - 2000 Dodge Intrepid
  By Kent - May 4 - 9:31 pm

  My Dodge has been great. 3.2 motor, ES trim, Sunroof, no leaks, no major problems, no complaints. I change the oil regularly but not always at 3K. My Dodge gets me an average 26.3 MPG, has 78K on it, and its fun to drive. The car handles well and is still all original equipment. I have replaced brakes and tires but thats it. This has been a very nice car, the ride is smooth and reasonably quiet. Very satisfied. My car is well made. Always a pleasure to get in and drive. Bought it brand new and have been pleased ever since. No plans to trade or sell it any time soon.

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  Most fun in years - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Srt4mom - May 4 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my SRT-4 for 6 months now. I upgraded from a 2000 Neon. I love the car, I love the reactions of people when they see it. The performance is outstanding and it is definitely the most fun Ive ever had with a car - and Ive been driving for 35 years. Im just waiting for my husband to get his rebuilt Firebird on the track so I can show him just what a little "neon" can do.

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  NICE!!!!! - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Magnumluver - May 4 - 10:00 am

  This is a very nice car you will like it very much!!!!

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  Favorite Dodge So Far - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By marki - May 3 - 5:00 pm

  This is my third Dodge. First had a 96 Ram 1500, then a 02 Dakota. Now have the 04 Dakota. Love everything about it. Its got the V8 with a 5 speed manual transmission. Way more power than the V6, and almost identical gas mileage. Spacious but not too big. Perfect for city or highway driving.

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  Over all - Good Vehicle - 2001 Dodge Durango
  By Ron - Silver Spring - May 2 - 12:33 pm

  Rides well on the highway. Brakes are not quite robust enough for the weight of the vehicle, in constant stop and go traffic.

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  2007 Dodge Caliber SE 2.0L CVT - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By caliberandy - May 1 - 4:43 am

  This car is the most fun and functional vehicle ive ever purchased. Great on gasoline, a real attention getter, and a blast to drive!

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  Easy Buy - 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By rdyer478 - April 30 - 2:28 pm

  Our 1997 GC was used and only had an O2 sensor go out. We took it past 150k miles and it still had spunk but couldnt trust it to longer trips. After renting a 2011 GC three times I had developed an attachment. Still looked for other options but after talking to a rep at a great dodge dealer we went to look at a 2011 GC Crew fairly loaded and was blown away at the price, which was way lower than the msrp of $30k. The 300 mile ride home was sweet. Good milage, smooth, quiet and handled excellent. Shifting, acceleration and braking were not too slow or jerky. The transmission didnt clunk or give reason to fear. I just love it and need to plan a trip just to satisfy my need to drive it.