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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  Viper 10 - 2005 Dodge Viper
  By Vipper10 - November 17 - 11:01 pm

  An awesome car to dirve through the country side.

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  Dakota - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By mbalon - November 17 - 6:47 pm

  2nd Dakota in a row....Would not trade unless buying another Dakota. Love my truck!

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  Great Car, Great Buy - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By C baker - November 16 - 11:06 am

  I have owned my Dodge Neon for quite a while now, and it has been the best car I have ever had. The 5 speed is fun to drive. If you are concidering this vehicle I would absolutly drive it, because you can not appreciate it until you drive it.

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  Tough, Adorable and Awesome Caliber - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Kathy D - November 12 - 4:56 pm

  This is a real winner. I love the gas mileage 1st of all. Then, I have to get into the drive and looks. Drives like a mid size car, no pings that most small cars have. Looks more like a guys car I have to admit. Definite tough look exterior wise, but drives well with great comfort. Love the glow in the dark drink holders and the shift located below the dash. Real retro and funky inside. Oh, not to mention the keep cool compartment located in the glove compartment. I definite hit from Chrysler.

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  Holy Crap - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By srt-4 lover - November 12 - 2:45 pm

  I am 16 years old it is my first car andI love it. It is fast as hell and it leaves everything behind. It is completely stock and i had it dyno tested at 252hp which is 22 more hp than what dodge says it is. I have no complaints.

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  Exelent Vehicle! - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By Soft Rider - November 11 - 2:12 pm

  Even though I have had this car for a while, new "bonus" item keep appearing! All I can say is that this vehicle has been thought through by the builders to a point beyond expectation! I have been waiting for a vehicle like this for several years. I am ecstatic - I have finally found it! Buy it, you will love it!

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  good stuff - 2005 Dodge Viper
  By ccrjohnny5 - November 10 - 4:47 pm

  buying this car was the best money i ever spent. its a hell of a lot of fun to drive if you know how to. And if u have the money to buy gas for a 10 cylinder car then i strongly suggest buying this car.

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  i have a hemi too and luv it - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By gee-man - November 9 - 7:25 pm

  this is my 2nd durango had an 99 5.9 engine. big difference between the two, i luv my 04 hemi.

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  Love my Durango - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By Durango Man - November 9 - 10:12 am

  This is my first SUV since a 1985 Chev Blazer disaster. (it lived up to its name and caught on fire) I have had several Dodge Ram trucks and have a 2004 regular cab now plus my Durango. This is my first 4 by 4 ever and so far I love it. It is by far the quietiest vehicle I have ever owned (and I have owned probably 45 new ones in my life time). I had a hemi in my Dodge Quad cab I traded in and really wanted a hemi but none were availabe so I settled for the 4.7 and am satisfied with it. . Since I dont tow, the 4.7 engine is more than adequate for this fine machine. It accelarates very well and runs smoothly.

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  Just wont die - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By dexnavigator - November 8 - 9:01 pm

  Bought brand new because it was much more powerful and fun to drive than the Civic, Saturn, Escort and Tercel we also tested. My wife drove daily over 100 miles into the CA desert with no problems. Last year the paint began peeling from the roof and truck, looks bad but Dodge says not warranted. I change the oil every 3K and trans fluid every 50K and had my first problem this year at 125K miles, a leaky sending unit for the oil (~$50 I think) and needed a new lower engine mount. Honestly, I am ready for something different it looks rough, but the car just keeps going. Have heard reports of head gasket probs Mexican builts and DOHCs?