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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  Used to like it... - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By Julie - May 22 - 10:30 pm

  I originally loved my bright orange Neon SXT, but the thing has had nothing but problems since we bought it. Right now we are trying to figure out why the engine keeps sputtering and cutting out which, upon further research, is common in Neons. The fabric interior shows every wet mark that ever hits it and the car, both inside and outside, scratches and damages very easily. I love the look and color of my car, but that it about all anymore. Im going to get rid of it the next chance I get.

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  2001 Caravan Sport - 2001 Dodge Caravan
  By dt - May 22 - 4:57 pm

  Roomy, comfortable on trips, adequate performance, mostly trouble free. First vacuum leak (CEL code for large evap system leak) took it to a dealer and cost $1k. Second vacuum leak (same code) I did some online research, found the bad hose, and fixed it myself for $6.00. My sense is the dealer has overcharged for everything Ive had done there, they treat female customers like idiots, and I will not return. Power steering noise around 100k. Researched online and found the "full" line on the Power Steering tank is wrong - added a little fluid and its been fine for 30k+

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  Yankee Plumbers 1994 Dakota Truck - 1994 Dodge Dakota
  By Yankee - May 22 - 4:27 pm

  We purchased used in 1996 with 45,000 on it. It has been dependable and easy for the Mrs. to drive. It handles well. It has in the last two years started to peal paint. The Mrs. feels safe in this vehicle. We both like the size of the vehicle. I am not a tall man and it was "just right" to get to my tools in the back. I like the fact that I can Lock up the more expensive tools in the cab and especially that the rain can not rust the tools while inside.

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  Automatic transmission - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By flagship - May 22 - 1:47 pm

  No quality in the product. Chrysler and Flagship care less in selling the product. Got problems with the transmission thus not fixing the problem. The extended warranty is a rip off do not buy it. I will tell every body is see to dont buy a Chrysler product. Is the first and the last. Good luck, Chrysler. Regarding Flag Ship will eventually go in bankruptcy

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  I had hoped wed stopped building boats - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By ebegbee - May 22 - 12:20 am

  Soft floating ride, hard seats, horrible blind spots, noisy engine, hard shifts. What else, horrendous ergonomics: cant adjust rear view mirror easily, it is too close to roof line. Waistline is too high, ergo cant rest elbow on door with window open. Cheap plastic interior, door mounted window switch bracket now broken. Awful cheap radio. Turn signal stalk too low on steering column, too easy to grab cruise control stalk by mistake. The most sensitive car to side winds I have ever driven, is it the steering geometry or just the aerodynamics of the bricklike shape? Need I go on, this is a sorry piece of automotive engineering rightly relegated to to rental fleets.

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  Dont Buy One ! - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Islandhopper1 - May 21 - 4:00 pm

  Bought this vehicle with 18K mi. on it. It was great for about 2 days. Thats when the front brakes went out (Pads worn out- completely gone). I found out the rear brake pads had been replaced right before I bought it and rear rotors seriously grooved. Then the passenger sliding door broke... Van drove pretty well then except for a clunking gear shift sometimes between 2cd and 3rd around 20 mph. No real other problems until one night at 30K mi. when it just didnt start. I tried both keys- nothing. Had it towed to dealer- no codes, no answers....no confidence. Traded in for new Chevy Tahoe. Happy to have it gone.

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  I love this car! - 2008 Dodge Charger
  By Felicia - May 21 - 2:14 pm

  This car is all I expected and more. Not only is it a good looking muscle car, we can fit the whole family plus groceries without feeling cramped. I love the look of the car and the Inferno Red (just like the picture) is such a nice color. It drives great, has good pick up and gets better than decent gas mileage. What more can you ask for!

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  Thanks MOPAR - 2007 Dodge Charger
  By Jim - May 21 - 2:05 pm

  Our r/t has the road and track option which is the Daytona without graphics, 350 hp, seats heated and same as Daytona with embosed r/t in seat back, very comfortable and secure, sunroof, 20" wheels and tires, front and rear spoilers, trip and info computer, adjustable peddles, Im 6,2" so this makes the car custom fit the wife 5,7" and me to a tee. Steering wheel moves up and down and in and out as well. Controls well placed. The wife is getting 20 mpg to and from work, at 70 on highway on Cruise about 24 mpg. Not bad for a bullet when wanted. It will tease a heavy foot. Mds is seamless. Low tire warning. Auto stick shift when wanted. All with life time warranty drive train. A+ mopar

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  Repairs - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By Veronica - May 21 - 12:52 pm

  Bought this as first family car. A few months after purchase the car would just stall while driving. It will do this every few months and no reason has been found why. The car was 3 years old when it needed a new starter. A few months later the brakes just stopped working. It seems that after the car was 3 years old, every few months it has needed repairs. For a car that we have always kept up with routine maintenance should be more reliable. Getting ready to trade in and not buy another dodge product.

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  2nd Grand Caravan and Even Better - 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By gianca - May 21 - 10:00 am

  This is our 2nd Grand Caravan. It has been virtually maintenance free the 50,000 miles we have had it (48,000 - 100,000). The leather cleans easy. Even the AC ducting is wide enough to easily clean. The sliding back rear bench is great. Both side sliding doors are great and operate flawlessly. Drink holders for everyone, and well incorporated or hidden into the trim. Never had a vehicle this reliable before.