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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  1995 Dodge Caravan - 1995 Dodge Caravan
  By Dodge - December 19 - 4:38 pm

  I bought the Caravan used & I am very impressed with the look the ride the comfort on long trips. I have moved twice since I purchased the van. It has been a pleasant purchase. I keep telling my friends that if they want a vehicle that wont nickel and dime them to death, get hold of a Dodge Caravan and dont worry about it. I also tell them a little TLC and it will be a member of the family forever!

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  Dak Rock - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By AaronMiller - December 18 - 4:36 pm

  The new Dakota rides very well thanks to a new fronty suspension. I love that it has f&r sway bars, it makes a total difference when compared to the previous three generations!

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  Pleasure Vehicle - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By Luckydawg - December 15 - 6:59 pm

  I couldnt be more pleased with the Durango LTD 2WD, unless one could figure how to squeeze a few more MPGs out of it. It rides like a dream on the road. The Hemi gives it extreme power. The infinity sound system is awesome. I also love the roominess & its a great tailgating vehicle.

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  our best Mopar - 2004 Dodge Intrepid
  By sandra - December 15 - 10:34 am

  Intrepid is best Mopar we have eve owned. Will certainly buy another.

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  The Beast!!! - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Icedmanx - December 15 - 10:00 am

  I have purchased many cars over the years, this car is the BEAST!!! I purchased, the RT, in the black, and find that everyone is happy with my choice of color. I have gotten more looks, stares, questions, finger pointing and finger prints on the windows, than I can count. This is a fun car to drive, and is not your fathers stationwagon!!!

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  Yes it has a HEMI - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By Sixguns - December 15 - 10:00 am

  I am writing this review after clocking my first 1000 miles in my 2004 Durango. This vehicle replaced my 2001 Durango. What an improvement! The new body style is more attractive and stylish. The fit and finish of the exterior and interior is great. The best improvements were in the cabin of the vehicle. Better gauge cluster, layout of dash, comfort of seating, new steering wheel and even the placement of the front and rear air vents and dash-mounted defroster registers. Thrid row seats are easier to fold than older model thanks to pull straps on the seat backs. Getting the seat backs upright is easier too because of this and no more having to climb inside and lift up the bottom cushion.

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  Comfort, Room, Style and Value - 2004 Dodge Intrepid
  By Susan Power - December 12 - 1:39 pm

  My Intrepid is a fun and reliable vehicle. It makes the driving and traveling experience a true joy. It is an incredible value considering its base amenities and available options, for an extremely reasonable price.

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  DAVIDS CHOICE - 2005 Dodge Viper
  By DAVID - December 11 - 8:33 pm

  I LOVE THE DODGE VIPER ,I TOOK IT TO CENTRAL AMERICA AND BACK TO N.Y.C. THE CAR WAS VERY RELIABLE,FAST,CONFORTABLE AND ENJOYABLE I HAVE 2 VERSIONS OF THE VIPER AND PLAN TO HAVE MORE IF NEWER ONES ARE MADE I ALSO HAVE TO SAY THAT THE PRICE IS VERY REASONABLE FOR AN AMAZING CAR. THANK YOU! DAVID

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  Great Little Car! - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By celtica98 - December 10 - 1:08 pm

  Have had great fun with this car....super looking exterior, comfortable interior, good gas mileage. Very reliable, none of the ittle glitches you sometimes get with new cars. The dealership is excellent as well, convenient, friendly.

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  RT is a Hot Rod - 2005 Dodge Stratus
  By kevin - December 9 - 10:26 pm

  The RT Sedan 2.7L Magnum is an excellent choice if you want sharp handling, a lively engine (think fast), and firm ride (avoid the truck lanes). It comes with 17s, fog lights, and the automatic version has a +/- shifter, which works really well. Four wheel disc brakes, and traction control, keep the shiny side up. A mid console display provides temperature, real time gas mileage and average MPG, metric, etc. and the gauges are very easy to read. Its a fun, top of the line subluxury, sedan able to handle the most spirited driving.