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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  Good Car - 1996 Dodge Intrepid
  By JGrigg - March 30 - 2:00 am

  Not many problems. The A/C dosent work but it isnt a problem in CT. The power windows are tempermental. Good car. Lots of road noise from windows

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  Very solid vault - 2002 Dodge Caravan
  By Kestrel - March 30 - 2:00 am

  Have owned other Caravans and the 2001 model is a nice leap up in quiet solidity. Ive towed a small pop up to Florida with great results. No real problems besides the pop-up throwing off the cruise control (it couldnt compensate for some reason). With 14000 on the odometer, I am still very happy. I got the cheapie Grand SE. You get all the room, the 3.3, but miss out on the power sliders and tailgate. I paid 20 even so I was willing to make the trade off. Would have liked to option to the 3.8 but of course that is only available on EX and ES.

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  Dependable - 1997 Dodge Caravan
  By Dan O. - March 29 - 2:00 am

  After 150 000 km (90 000 miles) this has been a great vehicle with minimal and only routine maintenance. I would recommend this vehicle to anyone for the money.

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  My Dodge - 1997 Dodge Dakota
  By Miles - March 29 - 2:00 am

  Looks great, even got a complement on it at a tire service center today. Brakes are weak link, and had to have serpentine belt idler replaced.

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  Jury Still Out - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Dodgefan - March 27 - 6:26 pm

  Owned new and used Dodges all my life. Have bought them from a close friend who owns the dealership. My wifes 07 Caliber SXT has many +s but the -s are catching up as the miles add up, 3000 to date. Dash pops and pieces dont match up. My 2000 4x4 83000 mile Ram has less rattles and pops. Waiting on the dealership to correct this factory mistake. Rear brakes squeak and groan like a logging truck. Waitng on dealership to correct. Sunroof leaks hadnt sprung this on the dealership yet, dont want to overwhelm them. Wife loves the car. Thats what matters, and in time Ill sure that I can learn to love it also.

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  Great Car. Not so great price. - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By Justin - March 27 - 2:06 pm

  The car is by far the best car I have driven in the 20K range. The only thing is that you can not find it for that price (at least around here). Everywhere I look dealers are selling it for 27k +!! I love the car and would buy it right now if I could find one for 21k. I dont know if it is worth 27k.

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  Long Term Friend - 1998 Dodge Durango
  By AGF - March 27 - 2:00 am

  My wife was the driving force in buying the Durango, although as an old MOPAR fan, I didnt need much persuasion. The experience over the last 84,000+ miles has been pleasureable. Reliability, availability and maintainability has been exceptional. After 75,000 miles had a ball joint and wheel bearing go bad, both covered under extended warranty. Brake wear has been phenominal. Original rear brakes and second set of front pads will last until 100K. Gas mileage could be better, but going to all synthetic fluids (engine, differentials, tranny) brought the average mpg up by 3. Durable. Interior is flexible and durable. Great truck with great support.

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  OK Neon - 1997 Dodge Neon
  By Johnny lLarue - March 26 - 2:00 am

  Solid overall performance. Dont like the frameless window

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  Dont buy a dodge all wheel drive van - 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By SHuber - March 24 - 11:50 pm

  I have spent thousands in repairs and tows, rentals, etc! I have replaced the serpentine belt (x3?),tensioner- recall- defective x2, tranny x2 (always unstable) recalibrated modules x2, idiot lights on (electrical sensor??)Dodge built this all wheel with their exact 2-wheel tranny from their Chrysler LeBaron CAR!! Not enough strength to last!! Plus underneath sits so low, it rips the belts off every winter in water, snow... and that belt runs everything, another tow! Radio is intermittent, electrical problems with windows also. You have to take apart the whole dash to fix. Cant wait to get a nissan SUV!

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  good car - 2001 Dodge Neon
  By neon_lover - March 22 - 2:00 am

  For those who are knocking the 2001 Neon, just take a look at the maintenance costs compared to the Japanese models. I used to have a 1995 Neon which had some problems but it made it to 150K with the only costs being A/C issues and a bad head gasket design (new design worked okay). I previously had a Toyota Celica and replacing the muffler, tires, etc. was minimally double what it costs on the Neon. Yes, there were some nuisances, but they are all taken care of in the 2001 model. No rain through the door jam, no squeaky brakes when moist, road noise down almost completely, windows tight, more "containers", brighter headlamps, etc. I love my 2001 SE.