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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  Chevy guy now a Dodge man - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By pro5150 - April 9 - 9:38 pm

  I just purchased the Dakota Club Cab SLT 4x4 with V8 and 5 spd auto trans. I love this truck. Looked at Chevy Colorado,Toyota Tacoma, and Honda Ridgeline. Could not sit in Tacoma, steering wheel hit my legs and Im only 6 foot. Honda was too expensive for me and the bed on the Colorado was not big enough for me. The Dakota accelerates great and stops on a dime. Gas mileage isnt too bad for a V8. People cant stop looking at it. It looks great especially in the color, I got Black. Dodge did it right this truck is the perfect size for someone who doesnt need a full size truck.

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  Excellent and sporty - 2005 Dodge Stratus
  By vikki trautner - April 9 - 9:01 am

  This is an all around excellent car. Fun to drive, handles wonderfully and is great looking! Loving it!

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  Lovin the ride ! - 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Renee Washington - April 8 - 11:26 am

  I purchased this van for a small mobile business I started. From day one it has been extremly reliable. I get a lot of compliments on it and love being seen in it. My only complaint is the 14mpg I get seeing as I live and work in the city. Other than that my family is lovin it.

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  Did you expect 25 mpg??? - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By M.Nicley - April 7 - 11:53 pm

  Wonderful vehicle with more than enough power (Is that possible?), room, and comfort. I hear and read a lot of complaints about mpg. When you bought a 335 hp V8 with the word HEMI, did you expect 25 mpg? I average between 12 to 14 with most of my driving in urban areas. The vehicle is smooth riding, and rides much nicer than any Chevy Ive owned in the past. For its size moving around in tight spaces is easy, thanks to the sharp turning radius. Would recommend getting the back up sensors do to poor rear visibility. If youre looking for something bigger than an Explorer or Trailblazer, but smaller than the Expedition and Tahoe...This is your vehicle!

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  My Review - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Tom - April 6 - 4:18 pm

  This is the car to have, if your not loaded with money and like a good American car. Take my word for it, the SRT-4 is such a fun car to drive. Its addicting...find out for yourself.

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  The Best - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By Lugo - April 6 - 2:00 pm

  In the past 12 years I have 4 Chevys, 2 Pontiac, 1 Toyota and 2 Nissan cars and this Dodge Straus is the best. I like to drive on the highway Ensenada to Tijuana because its a great adventure. You can feel the power of the motor, and the great response to the curves. You have total control of the car, practically "glued to the road" and dont hear a noise. Its a quiet car, off road, the suspension is fantastic!! The fuel economy is very good. The brake system is good. You can stop the car very fast with the 4 disc brake system. The system sound is OK. I love this car!

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  Easy on the eyes, not bad on gas - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By bill - April 6 - 12:48 pm

  Fun to look at and drive. The envy of all my friends who own trucks. Getting about 16.0mpg in the city. Only complaint is that the engine sometimes feels like it "lags". In other words through the mid gears you dont feel like you have alot of power on hand. Plenty of room on the inside. More than the competition.

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  Great Car - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By 71charger - April 5 - 4:43 pm

  I drove the heck out of this car for 13 months before trading it for an 04 R/T which I only did because I found out the R/Ts were discontinued. I traded an 00 Neon for the 03. Fabulous, and terribly underrated by automotive writers too heavily biased against American cars.

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  1992 dodge shadow america - 1992 Dodge Shadow
  By kottonmouthking - April 5 - 1:32 pm

  I love this vehicle because you get over 300 miles on a full tank. It handles great.

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  Nice Van for the money - 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Greg - April 4 - 9:50 pm

  We purchased this van new with only 6 miles on it. It has done us very well. Took it on a 1500 mile road trip and the mileage was around 23, and that is fully loaded with luggage and 6 people on board. The passenger side door failed and got a new motor. The DVD system failed and dealer replaced the complete head unit. The van is great and will buy another one. Looked at the Toyota/Honda both and the Dodge came out on top, and it is American! Power is very smooth and linear. The sunroof had a small issue and needed new motor. Seems like a lot of issues in a short time, but again a well worhty Mini-Van!