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:

• 

  Amazing car!!! - 2005 Dodge Viper
  By snakebite2 - November 3 - 2:00 am

  I have had this car for about a month and it is a blast! I traded in my z06 and at first was skeptical but this blows away a z06. The power is crazy and fun. Not only that. This thing is a real traffic stopper. When I drive by everybody stops and looks espiecally the teenagers at the shopping center. When I pick my kids up from school in it everybody stops and looks. They are rare too. I live in one of the most well off counties in the country and I have seen more ferraris and porsches(byfar) this year than vipers. Not only this they are ridiculoulsy fast. 0-60 in 3.8-3.9 seconds. 1/4 mile in 11.7 at 124 MPH. Top speed of 194 MPH. 60-0 in 97ft (world record.) If you can afford this car, buy!

• 

  Durango Limited Hemi is a GREAT SUV!!! - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By D-MAN - November 3 - 2:00 am

  My wife says I have an obessive compulsive disorder when it comes to shopping for new vehicles, but she had to admit it paid off this time! We both hate minivans but she is intimidated by HUGE SUVs. We drove Tahoes,Yukons,Expos ect...and nothing seemed to work. Then we came across the Durango, right size, right price, and a HEMI!!! Driving it confirmed this was the vehicle for us! Weve had it for a month now and it just gets better and better. The Hemi is getting 18MPG on the highway and the ride is awesome! Im convinced this thing rides better than a Navigator! Did I mention the Hemi, the thing will spin the tires till the traction control kicks in. Tows my 6000lb boat like nothing!

• 

  Love It!! - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By SLT Plus - November 2 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this vehicle used and so far have nothing but good things to say. Drove 80 mi. back home from the dealer I purchased it from and yielded a surprising 19 mpg. (highway) with the 5.9 engine. Pretty good considering the other reviews I read. Although I didnt use the overhead computer (I calculated the mileage manually). City driving so far has been 13-15 mpg. Im getting the mileage I expected (it is a SUV after all). Great comfort,great ride,good sounding radio,spacious and good looks.

• 

  My First Car - 1998 Dodge Dakota
  By mrken3235 - November 1 - 2:00 am

  Ok well it wasnt really my first car, but my second to first. I love my truck. I have the 5.2 liter V-8 that will do anything you want it to, but will drink gas. I used to go from southwest Michigan to mid Minnesota quite frequently. The trip would cost $100 just in gas one way! Oh well, what do you expect with a big V-8 though? Ive had my share of problems with it. Although I found out that it had been in an accident prior to my ownership of it. I would definitely recomend one of these and would probably get a new 2005 if they werent so ugly and if they had the hemi.

• 

  DOWNSIZED - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By SAMIAM - November 1 - 2:00 am

  I RECENTLY FOUND IT NESSESARY TO DOWNSIZE FROM A 2003 MALIBU LS TO THIS 2004 NEON SXT. THIS LOWERED MY PAYMENT BY ABOUT $100.00 A MONTH. WHAT I DIDNT KNOW WAS THAT IT WOULD COST ABOUT $200.00 A YEAR MORE TO INSURE, AND I LIKED THE 70,000 MILE DRIVETRAIN WARRANTY UNTIL I FOUND OUT THAT THE ROUTINE MAINTENCE WAS SOMETHING THAT COULD VOID THE WARRANTY IF NOT THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE WAS NOT FOLLOWED.

• 

  This machine is awesome. Way to go Dodge! - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By SE FOLGADO - October 29 - 3:06 pm

  Awesome car. Drives great, very comfortable. Great gas mileage due to MDS. Way to go Dodge! I wouldnt change anything. Perhaps just add one more color. A nice light blue that Dodge already has. They have the Dodge Ram trucks in a nice light blue. I think the Charger would look great in that color! Otherwise, its an awesome car. I highly recommend it. Its worth every penny! I love it!

• 

  Love My Intrepid - 2004 Dodge Intrepid
  By D Bascone - October 27 - 2:00 am

  For the feel of the spaciousness of a minivan, but the comfort and ease of a sedan, I would recommend this car. Large trunk space. Convenient access to all controls for the driver. Rear seat comfort controlls for heat and airconditioning an extra bonus. Love the styling of the exterior of the car. My model has a sun roof which I highly recommend. Good gas mileage.

• 

  Sweet Ride - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By RIP - October 26 - 8:20 pm

  I love my Charger, it performs great. 0-60 fast, even pulling 4000 pounds. Lots of room and you still feel cool driving down the road.

• 

  New Durango Customer - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By TWolf - October 26 - 2:00 am

  This is my first Durango. I drove a 2001 a couple of years ago, and I liked it very much, however, a deal could not be made with the dealership, so I went and bought a used 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Replaced the front and rear differentials as the transfer case in one year. Drove the 2004 Durango, love how it performs (despite the not so great mileage), and needless to say, Im extremely happy!

• 

  A GREAT FIRST NEW CAR - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By Rich in Pa. - October 25 - 10:00 am

  I bought this 2003 neon back in Oct. 2002, and havent had any problems as of yet. I would say to all this is a very good car to consider.