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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  mystratus - 2006 Dodge Stratus
  By pugmom - October 17 - 3:33 pm

  This Stratus needs a little more get up and go otherwise I am very pleased with this car.

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  pretty nice so far - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Mellojello7 - October 17 - 10:00 am

  My new sxt neon is awesome. I was able to to get it with 7 miles on it for only 10,900! It only takes 15 bucks to fill the tank! It really gives alot of bang for the buck. Its a fun car to drive on my daily commute. It looks cool on the outside with the alloy wheels and sharp red color. I love the cool sounding roar from the engine when accelerating. No other car can give you all the extras for the price.

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  E=RT squared - 2008 Dodge Charger
  By John - October 16 - 1:02 pm

  I love the RT with 29R (RT) package. Daytona without the "arrest me" graphics/color package. Although if I were to buy one now for 09 I would get the white daytona available this year. That is nice! The only problem Ive had turned out to be bad gas. Buy brand name and the recommended 89 instead of minimum 87 if you plan on driving this thing like you own it. I had some hesitation and stuttering at WOT acceleration, cleared right up when the gas shortages forced me to a different gas station than usual and 93 instead of 89 cleared up completely! Ever since then Ive been running 89 from name brand stations and it hasnt come back. I get so many comments its not even funny

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  nightmare - 2007 Dodge Caravan
  By w.a - October 15 - 8:05 pm

  Very upset. In 1 year must have been in service about 5 times. Air conditioning changed twice. Problem still continues. Radiator cap changed twice. Sill leaking, lost bracket that holds rack pinion boot, trans shift very hard at time,

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  The best first car ever! - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By kay - October 15 - 5:35 pm

  I love, I mean love this car! wicked fun to drive, and so easy to handle. I fell for it when my eyes saw it, so cute and really reliable

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  110,000 and still going - Satisfied - 2000 Dodge Stratus
  By Suzie - October 15 - 10:31 am

  Purchased: Jan 2007 SE Model I have not had any major problems with this car. I have driven it to FL, PA, SC and throughout MD. I now drive it 130 per day and still have not had any problems. Replaced the brakes pads twice. Currently at 110,000 miles and still running great. Smooth, quiet, comfortable, good mpg. Keep very good maintenance - regular oil changes, flush, transmission, and check ups, etc. This was worth every penny. I had a Chrysler Sebring before this and I had many problems - rotors, rotors, seat motor, etc. I had a Plymouth prior to that and didnt have any problems. Currently, I also own a Toyota 4-Runner which is also worthy to mention but it doesnt run like my Stratus.

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  Never ending drive with my ES. - 1993 Dodge Stealth
  By Rob - October 14 - 11:40 pm

  I really think this is the best car ever. It was my first car back in 2006 when I bought it. Its amazing but still fixing for minor things now. I basically put a new door, stereo, thermostat, brakes, paint job, tires, gauge bulbs, moldings and new rims. I think you could possibly do anything to this car to make it look ten times as better. I believe its an amazing car to drive around town and show off. Ive had a person challenge me with their pathetic charger r/t and it was funny Ill tell you. But great car to pick chicks up too in it. It looks twice as better in black and dark tints.

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  Dart Aero has unfixable clutch and sounds of wires - 2015 Dodge Dart
  By TeresaTN - October 14 - 9:18 pm

  Has bad clutch that smokes and blowes thru vents everytime you drive it! Sounds of wire shorting out in dash..slips out of gear..dealership says they cannot fix it. Thats the way it is suppose to do!Told me to pull over if it smokes and let it cool off then drive. And dont use outside vent air..but use inside circulating air vent. But still smells like blown out candles, possibe harmful! Somebody please help me get rid of it. Watch my youtube Dodge dart aero 2015 for the sound. Dont buy!! Purchased at Tri City Dodge..and serviced there and Royston in Rogersville TN. PLEASE HELP ME GET RID OF IT!! I am afraid it will catch on fire!!

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  2 catastrophic failures in 3 years. - 2005 Dodge Caravan
  By Jerry - October 14 - 4:11 pm

  I just had to rebuild the tranny with 68,000 miles on it. Tranny failure was catastrophic while driving in the left lane of a highway. 1-1/2 years ago had to have the front drive train replaced. 1 electric slide door does not work At least 3 recalls on this year of Caravan. Wont ever buy another Dodge.

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  Bad Choice - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Georgia Peach - October 14 - 2:53 pm

  Really like the Journey over all but have had nothing but issues with it. Im the 8th review of there is a noise when making a left turn and after 3 power sterring reseviors later it still does it. Also there is a ticking noise in the engine. Found to be rocker arms and tappets, both replaced and it still makes the noise. My car has been in the shop 4 times and I still have the issues. The journey rides really smooth, I got my 1st. speeding ticket of 23 years driving in it. Would not recommend this car, too many issues.