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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  Patricks R/T - 2003 Dodge Stratus
  By Patrick N - July 1 - 7:49 pm

  I bought my Stratus R/T a few days before Mothers Day and have loved driving it ever since! The car only had 19,426 original on it, not bad at all for a five year old car. My deep red baby drives like a champ and the sport suspension keeps me firmly on the road with no worries. The black leather looks great and is pretty comfortable on long drives. The automatic shifts with ease and the exhaust note sounds awesome (just loud enough not to be ricer). The trunk is surprisingly large and the cargo net is a nice touch.

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  Dealer dont know how to fix it - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By The worst car - July 1 - 12:15 am

  We bought it brand new last December. We only put 4000 miles on it, and it has been in the shop for months. To many recalls, dealer service department replaced battery twice, the radio, the cluster, all electrical wires. And still in the shop. Dealer service department dont know how to fix it. They told us they talk with the Dodge engineers and they say they were having the same problem. We bought it because the car has the lifetime powertrain warranty. But thats the first and last time we buy a Dodge.

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  call me an srt4 addict - 2008 Dodge Caliber
  By srt4 addict - June 30 - 9:45 pm

  I just traded in my 04 neon srt4 for the 08 caliber srt4. I loved my neon, did plenty of work to it, but it had to finally go. Lots of mileage and much needed extra room for a new baby made me do it. To me and most owners, the srt4 neon is an icon and I did not think srt could do the same for the caliber. I was pleasantly surprised. Sure, Im not going to take the new car road-racing or autocrossing like I did with the neon because of its size. But Im looking forward to surprising the same owners of $30,000+ cars while the stare at my rear end, as they did with my neon while at the strip.

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  blah... - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By SusanG - June 30 - 9:29 pm

  I got my Stratus as a graduation/wedding gift from my parents, and it was great for 3 years. Then, this year, Ive spent more than $2000 in repairs, including transmission work. The brakes were replaced three months ago, and theyre already showing moderate wear even with a gentle touch. The bleeder hose on the coolant system just "wore out" and my car overheated. Im considering dumping the car before it costs more money.

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  Garbage - 2007 Dodge Dakota
  By JB - June 29 - 2:39 pm

  I leased this on a 27 month lease because the price was so good, and it is the best looking 1/4 ton by NA manufacturers. I basically choose this based on looks. Big mistake. Ive had both front wheel bearing replaced, distributer cap, computer, brakes, emissions pump, etc. The engine would just all of a sudden have no power despite revving high. These problems could be over looked if I was able to get the posted mileage of 20 city and 29 highway. I get 16 highway and about 14 city. I should be able to sue Dodge for the difference in gas mileage because that is ridiculous. About half the posed mileage! Im buying a Toyota as soon as a get rid of this junk bucket.

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  Still happy after 7 years - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By bluedak - June 29 - 12:33 pm

  Bought truck new in sept. 2001, at current have 61k on it. Love the looks, comfort, and power of the truck. It has had a small share of problems: currently on its third set of rotors for warping and corrosion, also has had its share of electrical glitches and a power steering leak etc, but has never left me stranded. Current issues occurring now are: vib/ noise from pass front wheel, and a sticky caliper. Just problems develop as a a vehicle ages. Still love the truck, and would keep it indefinitely but I need the passenger space of a crew cab.

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  MOPAR Performance is back! - 2007 Dodge Charger
  By HemiVic - June 28 - 10:33 pm

  I purchased my 2007 Silver Charger RT 5.7 Hemi in October 2007. It was a Dealer Demo with 5200 miles that already had some very nice modifications that included stainless steel dual exhaust, 20 inch wheels, and tinted windows! My personal modifications included a K&N Cold Air Intake and and an Amsoil synthetic oil system. This is the nicest car that I have ever owned. The handling, comfort, and acceleration are excellent! The leather heated seats are fantastic! I love the MDS system when cruising the interstate which is suppose to save fuel! My mileage is 18.5 city and about 25 on the interstate. Not bad for a 5.7 HEMI! My only recommendation for improvement would be for the blind spots.

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  Thank God for the 30 day guarantee - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Jules - June 28 - 1:46 pm

  This car was horrible. I had to look over the scooped hood just to see the hood. Very uncomfortable even with leather. Awfully cheap feeling and looking interior. Sorry for ever buying it, but thank God for the guarantee. The only thing good was the power. For riding on a Mercedes platform, it was horrible.

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  That loud yellow thing! - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By Thunderball - June 28 - 10:00 am

  This car has been awesome! Love the exhaust sound on this thing! No aftermarket needed, these things are loud! My friends can hear me coming blocks away if I drive it right. Only complaint realy is the lack of cruise control, 700-1000 mile trips are a bit hard on the legs to keep a resonable speed. Also the seats while great at holding you in place can be a little bit uncomfortable. 4000 miles and no problems, great power, good looks. Awesome car overall, love it!!!

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  For just having it 2 weeks its okay - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By kimalli - June 28 - 10:00 am

  I think that overall the 2004 stratus is a nice car. We owned a 2000 stratus prior to this one and although it had its moments where I wanted to drive it into the river it was a really good car. We travel a lot so I would have to say it is great for travel. The radio is a plus. I think that if you are wanting a good car for a low price a stratus would be a good car. We have not ran into any real big problems with our stratus, other than the break dust on the front tires. That drives me nuts.