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 Bang for the Buck - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By King Piper - November 7 - 9:18 pm

  Purchased new with 1500 rebate. Fun car to drive great gas mileage and very quick and fun to drive. Replace trunk gasket because it always had a wet trunk. Replaced heat gasket at 65k with Dodge deductible of 150, replaced timing belt at same time for another 350 while it was taken apart. Changed oil every 3k mile and looks great on the inside. Front disk pads replaced at 90k, wow thats some good pads. Replaced headlights because of foggy condition of the lens after 80k miles got them on ebay for 165 and really easy to install. Keep up with the maintence and this car will keep up with the best of them, 125k and still going. I would recommend a Neon to anyone that ask.

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  My Van - 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Chris - November 7 - 6:13 pm

  My van has pros and lots of cons- the pros: powerful 3.8LV6 has nice interior and exterior abs. Now the cons- lots of trouble, the transmission had to be replaced at 70,00 miles, and the airbag sensors came on. The senor in the streeing wheel broke 2- 3 times.

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  long wait - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By taboo - November 7 - 10:00 am

  I waited forever for a muscle car, and I refused to accept a 4-cylinder PT Cruiser as sufficiently powerful. This car is exactly what I have been waiting for. I snicker at every SUV, and I love all of the impressed slack-jawed stares. My two boys are just as hyped about it as I am.

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  Best SUV - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By Imabeliever - November 7 - 4:27 am

  I bought my Durango over five years ago and have had no problems. I service it every 3000 miles with AMSOIL. Ive put this vehicle to the test from day to day in town driving to serious off road mountain adventure.

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  Got To have One - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Guy Lafleur - November 7 - 2:06 am

  If you are looking for a vehicle that has the ride of a luxury car but the oomph of a 70s muscle car, you better get to a Dodge dealer and drive one of these dream machines.

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  Fun to Drive SUV - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By Mike Quinlan - November 6 - 11:47 pm

  I purchased my 1999 SLT Durango used with 46K miles. I now have 61k and the car has been flawless. I love the 5.9L V8 engine for get up and go. I like the size of this SUV, not too big and not to small. I love the way the Durango handles on the road and around town. The gas mileage is reasonable, about the same as my last SUV 15 miles per gallon average for city and highway combined. The Durango is one of the best used car values because they can be purchased for a reasonable cost.

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  Great Car - 2005 Dodge Viper
  By )9990( - November 6 - 12:19 pm

  Best handling i have ever exsperenced in my life. I love this car and wouldnt trade it for anything!

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  2001 Stratus RT - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By Tig594 - November 6 - 9:58 am

  This is the best car Ive ever owned. It is sporty and fun to drive and feels solid and safe underneath you. It looks good on the road and is comfortable and quite roomy on the inside. My boss got in and asked if it was a Mustang. Ive put a ton of miles on it (for work) and its been very reliable. It has excellent pick-up. Ive had no problems with it at all. Get a red one with a sun roof!

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  The most comfortable car (and reliable) - 1997 Dodge Intrepid
  By Kherson - November 4 - 4:08 pm

  Bought it with only 52K on it. Owned it for 3.5 years and had almost no problems with it. It is so comfortable and fast enough to make a great everyday as well as highway car. Suspension absorbs all the bumps better than any import in this class. Great mileage for the size. Loved it!

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  By comparison unmatched victor - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Xradioguy - November 3 - 10:00 am

  You have to put this up against matched contenders like the Marauder,LS sport, Impala SS and the A4 3.0 and when you do it truly shines. Bang for the buck is an understatement. Use all the hemi can give you and the competition will only see your smile in teh rear view and the gorgeous rear end of the Magnum. Dodge has hit this one out of the park!! Dodge lovers drool and the rest will gawk. It is a love it or leave it style but like the pitch with the PT they will either get it or they wont. Given the number of features that come standard it is a hands down winner I am glad I waited for it.