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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  Not the best of luck I guess - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By KaylaG - May 6 - 6:32 pm

  Wow. This car was great in the beginning. After about 40k miles it crapped out on me. Countless visits to the repair shop for my transmission, my engine lights always popping on, and new brakes about a million times, let me not forget the gas tank too little doesnt hold nothin! Oh and the darn thing has no oomph doesnt like to go! Theres only a few things that I can actually say good about it. The sound systems great! And its cute.

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  problems - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By deezeebean - May 6 - 6:12 pm

  Had nothing but problems with this vehicle, driver window broke, had stalling problem ended up being computer recall, automatic unlock from inside broke, plastic bars on top lifted from front needing to be completely replaced now I worry about leakage. To top it all off dealership (Sandoval Dodge Las Cruces New Mexico) was not helpful or nice, after several problems after first purchased I asked owner to buy back car from me, he refused stating he had enough cars right now. Unacceptable. My first and last Dodge

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  my truck - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By wayne - May 6 - 10:51 am

  Great riding truck, with the v8 magnum 318, has lots of power. We put an energy cell on the fuel pump and we get 20 miles to a gallon average. We are not getting rid of this truck, has lots of miles left on it

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  disappointed - 2008 Dodge Nitro
  By andrea - May 6 - 10:22 am

  Ive only had my truck for 3 months and at first was very excited and loved my truck until the transmission started to give out a brand new vehicle took back to dealer been without my truck for 3 wks only to find out now that the parts that is needed to repair it is on Nationwide back order whats up with that!

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  Whats up with the Brakes - 2005 Dodge Stratus
  By Not Happy - May 6 - 9:46 am

  I hate my Stratus. The interior is dark. Should be overhead lights or lighting on the shift. And the brakes. Ha - mine squeal so bad Im embarrassed to stop beside someone. The dealership claims there is nothing wrong. I read that if you reverse the calibers it was suppose to help, but my mechanic doesnt understand what that would do. The sound is worse then a dump truck. I hate this car and if I wasnt so upside down on it,I would trade it in today, Calling Dodge or Chrysler doesnt help.

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  Near perfect - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Alex - May 6 - 6:13 am

  A great crossover! Love all the storage space and built in coolers! Only trouble so far is the cramped back seat. Average gas mileage for a mid- size crossover

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  Sweet ride - 2007 Dodge Magnum
  By Junior - May 5 - 7:57 pm

  This Magnum R/T has Performance package. Bought it used,had 15,000 km built in July 07. Fun to drive. So far no issues. Get between 25-27 MPG when cruising with MDS engaged.

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  good van could be better - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By hoss - May 5 - 6:26 pm

  We have been happy with this van since we purchased it. The ride is verry good but it does pull to the right ever so slightly and the brakes his when it is wet out. But the the gas mileage is pretty good 18/27 and the room is great. I have 4 kids 3,2, 1 and 2 weeks old and we are verry comfortable in this van. Stow and go is awsome and the power sliding door Windows are Nice. I do wish the acceleration was a bit more aggressive but it is adequate. Over all you get what you pay for. Not everyone will get a good vehicle, no auto maker is perfect. I chose a Dodge and got a good vehicle. So with so many of these vans on the road a few of them are bound to have problems. But most caravans dont.

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  The best car I have ever owned! - 1997 Dodge Intrepid
  By KATRINA - May 5 - 5:55 pm

  I bought my car 3 years ago and it has been excellent. No problems at all. My car is the sport addition with the slap shifter, which is rare. It only had one owner prior to my buying and it only had 57,000 miles on it. I have never been stranded. It has never let me down. I have made several trips to Texas. A 600 round trip. The best car I would recommend it to anyone.

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  great truck - 1995 Dodge Dakota
  By yankeeinthemud - May 4 - 9:15 pm

  I had bought the truck with 114,600 miles on it, and now have a lil over 153,900. All I had to do with it was replace the battery, and the radiator. Though now it is due for an alignment. Overall though this truck has had the snot worked out of it by me, and the previous owner. It is fitted with the Reese 3/4 hitch so it can manage 7500 lbs though I wouldnt attempt this without making sure yours is properly prepared for it. Mine has built with the tow package and 42rh trans giving it the towing ability. Off road the truck doesnt know the word stuck and has pulled other trucks w/trailers out of soft sand with a/t tires. Im debating about fixing up this one, or getting another, ill probably fix