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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  Give it a Chance - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By joedurango - January 15 - 2:00 am

  I am tired of hearing about how the Durango gets bad reviews in Consumer Reports. Ive had mine for 2 years and 30,000 miles and I havent had one problem. It rides like a truck, not some sissy SUV.

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  I Love This Car - 1995 Dodge Intrepid
  By wootfepp - January 14 - 2:00 am

  This is an excellent car, lots of power and comfort, very reliable too mine has 137000 miles on it and its still kickin hard

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  04 dodge durango limited 5.7L hemi - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By gene - January 13 - 10:00 am

  This suv is an outstanding vehicle thruout from new five link rear suspension to all the features found in the limited (leather, auto dimming mirrors, adjusable peddles,dual power seats and awd plus 4 high and low and 4whl anti lock brakes, hemi just screams power!

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  Fun to Drive - 2001 Dodge Intrepid
  By mjw399 - January 13 - 2:00 am

  A great car that is fun to drive. The performance is fantastic. The leather seats make you feel as if you are a part of the car. I truly feel it is nearly an ideal auto. It has room for 5, a very large trunk and super acceleration and braking(4 wheel disk ABS). It looks great to! The traction control feature is nice to have in a Chicago winter.

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  Great Value! - 2004 Dodge Intrepid
  By Ray Jay - January 13 - 2:00 am

  This is a company leased car - however unlike most leased cars Ive had - I would buy this car. Great value - lots of room, decent performance, nice styling, comfortable to drive, excellent fuel economy, good reliability... and so on

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  My first Dodge - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Goodys - January 12 - 11:36 pm

  I love this car! It looks great, handles even better and will FLY. Plus the Boston Acoustic sound system rocks.

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  Soccer mom Durango - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By falconbrother - January 12 - 2:00 am

  This 2WD version of the Durango comes with a very powerful V8. I love the power. I find that Im getting 14.8mpg on the interstate. Thats not great. Otherwise this is a very comfortable vehicle. The leather seats are very nice.

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  best in class - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By puffycoatbandit - January 12 - 1:56 am

  this new durango is the best suv on the market today. It out does every other vehicle in every way possible from the hydroformed frame to the octagonal frame rail tips it is the BEST in Class.

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  Fantastic car - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By Sabersoul - January 11 - 2:00 am

  Its a great car, plenty of pep even with the 4-speed auto and for around $15K driveout you cant beat the room in the car for the money. Im 64" and have no problems sitting in any seat in the car.

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  1997 Dodge Intrepid - 1997 Dodge Intrepid
  By St Alex - January 11 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle has been an excellent value. The leather seats have held up well for seven yrs. and the sound system has been incredible.