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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  My 04 Caravan - 2004 Dodge Caravan
  By Farv4 - January 23 - 2:00 am

  This van has some great standard features. Sound system is very good for a factory make.

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  intrepid such a great car - 2004 Dodge Intrepid
  By dodgew880 - January 23 - 2:00 am

  the car is actually my mothers car. the car runs great and rides smoothly. She previously had a 2000 dodge intrepid. we love these cars they are the mos tfun to be in and drive. and chevrolet are as follows: Cheap Hardly Efficent Virtually Runs On Luck Every Time

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  Sorry To See The Real Durango Go - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By BravoCharlie - January 23 - 2:00 am

  I love my 99 Durango. 5 years & 75000 miles and the only problem has been a recurring blow on the cooling feed gasket -- not catestrophic but annoying. Other than that, solid. No creaks, no rattles, great reliability. Of course, I have it in for its 15000 mile pressure oil flush, pressure trans flush, and pressure coolant flush. Nominal maintenance as far as I am concerned... dont want to shell out another 40 grand for a new one! -- All in all, wife and I and foursome have been thrilled.

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  The best car I ever bought - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By james mack - January 22 - 3:26 am

  You would have-to-have one to understand. This is what I needed in a car and I have the 3.5 high output v6. I love it. The Hemi is great too, but you could keep up with it no problem trust me.

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  Great Truck!!! - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By Duckman - January 22 - 2:00 am

  I bought my truck right before the big snow storm hit my city. Most of the city was snowed in for a few days, but not me in my new Dodge. I have the quad cab, so I loaded up the family and we went all over just for the fun of it. It really is a great truck!

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  skullboy - 2004 Dodge Viper
  By i dont know - January 20 - 2:00 am

  it goes very fast, and its a great car.

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  snooch to the nooch - 2004 Dodge Viper
  By james naughton - January 20 - 2:00 am

  its a great car

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  Fantastic Car - 2004 Dodge Intrepid
  By Joe Hiett - January 20 - 2:00 am

  This car has been the most reliable and fun car I have owned since the 70s. I have had absolutely no problems, no rattles no workmanship issues. The car goes like crazy and gets near 30 miles per gallon with four people, full trunk, air conditioning on, traveling 75 mph. I cant say enough good about this car.

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  Got lucky I guess - so far - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Trevorvw - January 20 - 1:46 am

  Bought this one new after owning an 01 Honda Odyssey that demolished 3 transmissions in 2 years. It is every bit as quick as the Honda was, gets decent mileage, hasnt broken down ever, the seats are more comfortable, and the stow and go is a marvel. Were pushing about 16000 miles on it now and if its like the rest of the complaints out there - then well see - but it does have a 7/70 warranty and Honda is certainly no better. Honda power doors would not open quick if power doors not functioning - or ever. Dodge completely worked around this issue.

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  So Far So Good - 2004 Dodge Intrepid
  By CrayZ me - January 19 - 2:00 am

  This is my first Dodge... So far so good! This gar handles great! Awesome power too!!! All my previous cars were 5/6 Speed Manuals ( i needed a car that was able to move fast) This is also my first automatic 4dr professional like car... This car i would overall rate a 9.9 I had to put only a 7 on build quality and design being that the car broke down with a major / potentionaly deadly mechanical defect with under 100miles. My stearing locked while turning at about 30mph on a busy street. It was due to a factory misinstalled clock spring in the steering column.