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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  Great car - 2002 Dodge Intrepid
  By Jim - March 18 - 4:49 pm

  I wanted a decent-sized 4 door, and the Intrepid is more than I expected. The engine is just the right power, the handling is superb, seats very comfortable, styling is pleasing, good brakes and its very roomy in front and trunk. Visibility is ok - driver side blind spot needs some attention, and front of car is invisible. Otherwise excellent.

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  2000 Dodge Intrepid - 2000 Dodge Intrepid
  By Jan - March 16 - 9:20 pm

  This car is roomy - especially the trunk - its very large. Even the back seat is comfortable and the driver doesnt have to reach for the radio and other controls.

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  3RD GRAND CARAVAN - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By JNELSON973 - March 16 - 10:00 am

  This is our 4th caravan. The last three have been Grand Caravans. The latest SXT has a 3.8L engine and has greatly improved its performance. It appears to be much quiter. The 16 inch wheels have improved the ride and handling. And this is the only Minivan that can be equipped with a handicap scotter hoist mounted in the back, because of all other models have fold down seats. I base an excellent rating on my years of Minivan experience. The only con- While the seats are well padded my spouse with back trouble has made a comment about the lack of good lower back support.

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  Growing Family - 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By John - March 15 - 1:33 am

  Wow, what an upgrade from our SUV. This is out first minivan and Diamler vehicle. We looked at the Odessey, Sienna and Venture and felt the Dodge Grand Caravan offered more features per dollar than any of its competitors. We have a growing family and this car caters to our three children with space galore. Wed buy another one in a heart beat. Also the $3,500 cash back was nice.

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  Chili-Pepper Sweet - 1998 Dodge Durango
  By Bob Gintoft - March 14 - 12:33 am

  We really have enjoyed our Durango! Its comfortable on long trips, has great looks, is reliable, and fun to drive no matter what the weather.

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  2005 Dokota - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By Bill O - March 13 - 5:34 pm

  I bought My 2005 Dokota to replace a full size crew cab. It took a little adjustment to get use to smalled cab size because I am a big man. Only to be expected. I have adjusted and have found it to be comfortable. I live in a bad weather area so I got it with all wheel & 4 wheel drive which have worked great this winter. I also got the V8 & Tow package because I have a 5000 LB. boat. I pulled it 600 miles thru mountainous country. Seemed to handle it well.

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  Luv my Durango - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By msley - March 13 - 1:36 am

  Ive only had my Durango a short while, but so far I love it. I test drove other 1999 SUVs and my Durango beat them all, hands down. The price was right, the drive was right.

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  Love It So Far ... - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By argus - March 10 - 10:00 pm

  Bought an auto. Wouldve likely bought a 5spd had I found one. Transmission shifts just fine though-- Im impressed and overall extremely happy. Deep Red color is really beautiful--this car gets plenty of looks. It has more power than I need and not so much that Id get myself in trouble. Good job, Dodge

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  Excellent overlooked choice - 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By dm3 - March 10 - 8:30 pm

  Just switched from a 2005 Sienna to 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT. The Caravan has much more torque making it more responsive in normal driving, brakes are far better, excellent handling. Feels like a relatively nimble mid size sedan. Surprising to look behind and see how large the interior is. Lots of open space in the cabin is great for holding stuff and allowing easy movement within the cabin. Build quality appears to be excellent. Much better choice than a Sienna. Sienna is all hype. Gas mileage on the Caravan although rated 18/25 has been better than the Sienna rated 19/26.

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  Fun Car At Great Price - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By Larry S. - March 9 - 7:17 am

  The car only cost me $ 11,500 after rebates. A Honda Civic EX was $ 5,000 more! The car is quick with the manual tranny, looks sportier than Honda and others in this class of cars. No mechanical problems after 24 months and 22,000 miles, handles great (in snow). Where can you get a new car so cheap, with many of the gadgets offered on cars costing several thousand bucks more, and look better than all the competition in the market segment? I get about 28 mpg average (60% city).