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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  Reliability - 1992 Dodge Dakota
  By bigman - May 28 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my Dakota for 2 1/2 years. It starts on the first turn of the key every time even in Minnesotas cold winters. Yesterday for the first time, it didnt start. Thats because I left my lights on while I was at work all day. I got it jumped and everything was fine.

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  hull anything around - 1993 Dodge Spirit
  By deb d - May 27 - 2:00 am

  it handles well, reliable, i can take curbs at a 130km no sweat, v6 helps out when im passing people, lots of leg room in back seat, which makes it great for tall people. i can carry around more things than most people cause of the design.

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  Great little ride - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By SXTer - May 26 - 2:00 am

  Our first Neon was good but started falling apart (a/c, speedo/odo quit, and gas gauge quit, knobs started breaking etc) but the engine with 130K is still solid. NOW we have the SXT, had it a month and the engine is zippier w/132bhp. Gas milage is down from last Neon/38mpg to 33mpg. Gear shift is a little squishy but this aint a Ferrari. For the price with the rebate, to getta GOOD LOOKING car with 15 inch rims, a/c, cd player, power frt windows (having to manually roll down the rear is strange but hey-I ride in the front) , and a roomy interior is almost unheard of. Go price the competitors and itll make your head hurt.

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  Dakato club cab V8 4x4 - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By scott101 - May 26 - 2:00 am

  The only complaint about this vehicle is the gas mileage. Granted its a V8, but it still should get a higher mpg average.

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  Best SUV ever - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By Alex Henning - May 25 - 2:00 am

  This has to be the best ever and I would like to have all of the different style.

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  1996 Dodge Stratus ES - 1996 Dodge Stratus
  By misanthropicelle - May 24 - 2:00 am

  I just bought this car a few days ago, but it is great! I love manual cars, and this one is definitely perfect for my needs. I drove the car 45 miles on the highway and the gas gauge didnt even move. The mileage is amazing and perfect for anyone that has to drive distances often!

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  1994 Dodge Inrepid - 1994 Dodge Intrepid
  By Drummer14 - May 24 - 2:00 am

  I bought this vehicle from my uncle. Ive only owned it for a month now but it has been a great car to drive in. The A/C is a problem but I try not to concentrate on that. I like the pick of the V6 engine because i have been use to 4 cyclinders. It is a fun car to drive in but I dont like the headlights. They are dahl and yellow and thats the only thing i dont like about the whole car but other than that i am happy i bought it,

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  Big&Beautiful - 1998 Dodge Durango
  By chris huffman - May 22 - 2:00 am

  since I ve bought it in December 2001, I have enjoyed every mile in it. Ive only had to replace the water pump on it, but I am still waiting for other problems to occur. It rides very well for a 4 wheel drive. The drivers seat is really comfortable especially if you have back trouble. It is very spacious and is awesome and practical for kids and even to haul friends around. The option to put up or down the third seat is great. The cargo area could use more head room for bikes and such and is not really meant to move big furniture as we have found out. Rear air could blow out harder than what it does and could have more versital air vents.

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  Bad doors & whine will drive you crazy! - 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By PML1950 - May 22 - 2:00 am

  Okay so the whine when Im driving is what drives me the most crazy and it never seems to stop. The fact that every dodge caravan Ive owned after about 80,000 miles the air conditioning stops working. The elec doors where to start, first one of the locks wont work with the key so you have to lock manually, then the other door the button on the inside wont open or close so if you remember which side works which way youre lucky. This is the second Dodge caravan and I wont purchase another. Id rather a Honda or Toyota van, they have better reports from owners.

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  Nice Truck - some issues - 1997 Dodge Dakota
  By Cookie - May 20 - 2:00 am

  New lower balljoints 65k,new front brakes at 60k. Dodge Service fouled fuel injectors and rails while installing new fuel pump at 55k and tried to charge another $1300 (offered no explanation). I cleaned them myself for two bucks and found the coating inside the tank was deteriorating and ruined the pump. They reintroduced the contaminated fuel after replacing the pump. Dont go to Dodge boys for repairs!!!!!!! Air conditioner problems and heater inadequate.