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:

• 

  Caravan ES Good So Far - 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By embien - April 27 - 2:00 am

  I have had very good luck with this vehicle so far. I would buy another.

• 

  Good Value - 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By tomurban - April 17 - 3:13 am

  We only have this vehicle for two weeks. It seems to be a vast improvement over the 2007 that we turned in. Good ride quality as well as good build quality. No squeaks or rattles. Gas mileage is acceptable for a 3700 lb vehicle and four speed auto.

• 

  great price - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By chops 29 - April 12 - 11:40 pm

  I was looking for the best value for my buck. The R/T I bought - 3.5 V/6, power seat, traction con- control, ESC self dimming mirror 5 star front and side crash rating etc., etc. some of the plastic appointments in the interior are a bit much, but a out the door price of $19,222- No other deal on any car came near that price. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention the dual exhaust.chrome tail pipes and great fit of the exterior.

• 

  A great value - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By stennett - April 11 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this car from the dealership I used to work for and it was a great buy even without the dealer rebate. The SXT gives you almost all the features you want for a great price. I recommend the tilt and cruise as a must have item. Id buy another one, but get the RT instead for the handling and ABS features.

• 

  NIce Car - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By WW85 - April 10 - 6:46 pm

  Very good value. I have a 5 speed SXT Sport, handles very well. IMO, the 5 speed drives so much better than the CVT. So far, no problems. Nice looking exterior, love the Marine Blue Color, it was discontinued for 2008.

• 

  Great affordable vehicle - 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By charles - April 3 - 10:00 am

  This was my third Caravan and was the best and most reliable. Change the oil regularly and tires when appropriate. I enjoy the vision and the height of the seats. It is not a luxury automobile but quite functional. Many long trips went by quickly.

• 

  Gotta love that Hemi - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Taj1129 - March 23 - 6:56 pm

  What fun! Didnt want to be another SUV in line waiting to pick up the kids from school. I wanted styling, comfort and power and the Magnum delivers. Gas milage in the city stinks but on the highway its great. A wonderful, stable ride. Makes merging on the freeway fun. The kids love it too.

• 

  Drove it into the ground, now buying 2nd - 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By LJC - March 14 - 7:13 pm

  This was our first minivan & first Dodge. I couldnt believe how comfortable and easy it was to drive! I loved it from Day 1. It was perfect for our toddlers & now for our teenagers. Very roomy with useful features - lots of cup holders, folding seats, lots of leg room. While it has been a headache at times - transmission/oil leaks, many sets of brakes, nonstop electrical problems (windshield wipers like to wave expectedly!), overall, we have loved this van & are currently shopping for another one. I couldnt imagine buying anything other than a Caravan! Would love an 08 but I dont love the price tag.

• 

  Black SXT - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By JR5 - March 13 - 10:00 am

  Good car overall. I have a dash rattle that drives me insane though. Gas milege isnt as good as hoped but the manual trans is fun to drive. Handles curves very well. Despite some minor issues the car begs to be driven. My initial impression was I would probably not purchase another neon, but after having it for a couple months its the only car I drive. Way more enjoyable to shoot around curves in than my Honda Accord. Also with the right driver you can smoke imports no problem.

• 

  Fun - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Rogerd - March 13 - 10:00 am

  Fun to drive. Rides like a dodge and made like a dodge. Not bad for the money but Id rather pay more and get more quality.