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:

• 

  NICE LITTLE TRUCK - 2003 Dodge Dakota
  By SMOKEY-2 - February 16 - 2:00 am

  I ALWAYS HAD DODGE TRUCKS, THIS 2003 DAKOTA WITH THE V6 AUTOMATIC IS A GOOD LITTLE TRUCK. GOOD POWER, EASY TO PARK AND I REALLY LIKE THE 4 WHEEL DISC BRAKES. THE BASE MODEL HAS A NICE SIZE INTERIOR WITH CLOTH BENCH SEAT.

• 

  LUV MY DAKOTA - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By ORANGE1 - February 16 - 2:00 am

  MY DAKOTA HAS ROOM FOR 4 BIG ADULTS EAZY. W/FOLD UP SEATS IT HAS ROOM TO SPARE. RIDE IS SMOOTH AND QUICK PLUS I GET 16.5 TO 17 MPG. NICE PLUS

• 

  Extremely reliable! - 1994 Dodge Dakota
  By jrwahlst - February 15 - 2:00 am

  I bought my 94 Dakota (w/3.9L V6) with 120,000 miles on it about 3 years ago, and have had absolutely no major problems. Im now up to 155,000 miles and still going great! Ive been very pleased with how reliable this vehicle has been. Im in Minnesota and have had it parked outside in well below zero temps and it always starts right up. Im no great car expert, but its been really solid for me. The paints been fine, too, unlike some reports Ive heard.

• 

  lot of fun for this 50 year old - 2004 Dodge Intrepid
  By nethealthy - February 15 - 2:00 am

  lot of fun for an old guy. powerfull, roomy, great high way car.

• 

  Great car - 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Dave - February 13 - 5:16 pm

  We looked at this after testing out all sorts of other vehicles. Its a lot more fun to drive than the Sienna, though its slightly slower in acceleration, because it handles turns much better and feels more connected and in control. We were going to get a crossover but this had better mileage and a lot more space and better features - and better, more nimble cornering than most.

• 

  Dodge Intrepid---Awesome Car - 2000 Dodge Intrepid
  By soniannette - February 13 - 2:00 am

  This has got to be the roomiest car I have ever seen. I love the design and just overall look of it. If you need to get up and go--this car will do it. I have no complaints on this car. I used to own a firebird and this car is just as quick and sleek looking, but better for me now that I have a family. Just overall an awesome car.

• 

  I,ll miss that truck - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By Thomas Ivey - February 12 - 2:00 am

  Very good truck really enjoyed it. Had it all, 5.9 V-8, Four door with plenty of room. Handle well, around 19 mi. per gal on the hiway. I,ll truly miss this truck.and 4WD.

• 

  "SKs" SXT - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By "SK" - February 11 - 4:03 pm

  I took the car for a test drive and before I went 1/4 of a mile I told the salesman to make me a deal on the car. I loved everything about it. The only draw back to me is the high step over getting in & out of the car and that is minimal. I love the car. Dodge has a winner

• 

  1998 Dodge Stratus ES - 1998 Dodge Stratus
  By Jax Tom - February 11 - 2:00 am

  I bought my 98 ES at the end of 2000 when it had 61,000 miles on it and I have over 113,000 miles on it now. Its been a great car, solid, fun to drive, decent gas mileage, good power when you need it. Other than routine maintenance and new tires, I havent had to do anything to it except that the A/C has just lost its charge so Ill be needing to get new hoses and refridgerant. Hope to get many more miles from it.

• 

  fun to drive - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By chaddlie - February 11 - 2:00 am

  I never thought I would own a truck but now Im glad I give it a try. I love it!