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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  ecstaticaboutmyTrepid - 2004 Dodge Intrepid
  By grabbedlifebythehorn - July 8 - 2:00 am

  bought used with 24000 even though its the plain jane SE i was surprised by 2.7 love the interior one of the most comfortable rides ive ever drove i like pass through back seats plenty of room got a pair 12" thumps in the trunk only compaint is on rough roads the road noise gets to intrusive oh well just crank the subs up a couple of notches havent had any problems whatsoever great looking car love the style with the factory 16" rims and tires this thing handles like a scalded cat climbing a curtain great driving dynamics put almost 20000 since last year aint got no stink from her and i dont expect any been a superletive driver love my Trepid

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  great car all around - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By gabereyes - July 8 - 2:00 am

  great handling car, but in quick turns, tires get pretty loud, but a quick change of tires will correct it. ive got 20k miles on mine now and love it so far.

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  Vipers rock - 2004 Dodge Viper
  By Mark Van Erden - July 7 - 2:00 am

  Vipers are great cars ! just bad mpgs. great speed same with luxury and design I love vipers!

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  A great truck - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By Lucifer - July 6 - 10:00 am

  Consumer Reports doesnt give a high rating. I have a V8 5 speed manual and find it a great truck in every regard. Had a 1995 one before and loved that one also. My other cars are a 1999 Audi A6 Avant and a 1998 530 BMW (stick shift) and I still love driving the Dakota/

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  I love it - 2004 Dodge Viper
  By justin fletcher - July 6 - 2:00 am

  I love it i love it i love it i love it ilove it

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  2001 Stratus - 2001 Dodge Stratus
  By Zee - July 6 - 2:00 am

  I have put lots of milage on this car and have had no problems, except having to replace the windshield a few times which was not the cars fault. It does need new bushings, which squeak when it is hot. I understand this is not an uncommen problem in New mexico but I have not had it on any previous car. This is the 6 cylinder

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  I love this truck! - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By Neddis - July 4 - 2:00 am

  This is the best truck I have ever driven. I picked it up real cheap too. I love the power of the V8. The payload and towing specs are great. The only problem is the gas mileage. I cant complain though since its a beefy V8. You can really feel the 295 lb/ft. of torque when you hit the gas. I really like that this truck fills the gap between the "mini" trucks and fullsize. All of the features are great. I got the SLT Plus with all the bells and whistles. I coulndt have asked for a better truck.

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  Best Performance Bargain of the Decade - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Lee2220 - July 3 - 10:00 am

  This cars speed scares the crap out of me. Great performance/acceleration and supurb handling as well as braking. The stock 230 horses under the hood will melt the plastic off the front bumber in this great compact. The acceleration is as good if not better than new stock Mustang Mach 1s, Nissan Zs and the comparable WRX. The anti- lock brakes will stop the car in no time. This thing is treasure found in a chest. The best investment I have ever bought! Althought I dont suggest tyring 150 mph on the freeway, this car is capable of it!

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  American tough - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By JLAWLER - July 3 - 10:00 am

  This is one fun suv to own. Built tough looks tough and rides like a car. Gas milage not that bad averaged 20mpg on first long trip and its not broken in yet. A pleasure to drive, big yet handles like a smaller SUV. Its quiet and smooth on highway and handles well on small roads. If your looking for an SUV you have to drive this before buying anything else. Simply better than anything in its class and with present rebates a real bargin.

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  Pricing, great - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By pjgtrader - July 3 - 10:00 am

  Great deal on my Durango, calld 4 dealers in evening, told them would buy next 3 days, told them what I wanted, three had suv, negotd on phne so all agreed to invoice, then another $4,500 rebate off invoice.Bought SLT, hemi, leather, moonroof, 6 cd, red, dvd entmnt system(aft/mkt, 10in scren but in final $28,315 pr incl txs)bought next day after visit the 3 dealrs, finced thru Chysler, refd for 3.9% yestday on special promo thru USAA bank exp 6/5. FYI, one dealr, Breedan, Ft. Smith, who agreed to invoice on phone tried to pad profit by saying aft/mkt leather cost $1500 instead of $624 invce listed on internet, walked off lot.