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:

• 

  love it - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By donny190 - March 16 - 2:00 am

  I love this car i ahve two grand children and i live with them. We have two dogsa and i hated that hard to get out secong and third row seat. now i can take the dogs to the doctors with ease. I love the stow and go feature it is the greatest. I like the way it handels and how much storage space u have on the inside. i looked at the odyseey and freestar and the quest the quest was winning because of the second row fold away system but when i saw the comercial i went to the dealer and loved it. on christmas eve this will come in handy for looking at christmas lites altogether in something smaller then my daughters suburban.

• 

  2000 Dodge Neon - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By dkthcks - March 15 - 9:32 pm

  117K miles in 5.5 yrs. Its been driven hard both city and Hwy miles. Routine mechanical have incl. tires 2xs, brake work, spark plugs once. Clutch still going strong with not so nice driving. Brakes squeak in the rain or high humidity. Best car I have had. Good gas mileage. However, car now at 136K miles and developed an oil pressure problem. Was a GREAT car until now.

• 

  great car! - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By AC - March 15 - 5:50 pm

  This was my first brand new car! Bought it with 32 miles on it and have enjoyed it immensely. I had had a Honda Accord, followed by a minivan (3 boys) and I was ready for a fun car for myself again. I looked at Hondas but for the mileage I put on them, needed lots of room for many years of ownership. I have only done routine maintenance and tires (brakes done this year). Its small so my extra large husband doesnt like it at all but that is ok with me. I get 37 mpg on my road trips to visit family 500 miles away and around 30 in town. I need a better vehicle in snow, however, and am going to trade in for a small SUV. Ill miss the gas mileage, but this is NOT a snow car!

• 

  Great SUV - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By durango girl - March 15 - 4:01 pm

  I had a 2002 Durango and swore Id never own one again, but after riding in the 2004 I changed my mind. There is plenty of room and it is a comfortable ride. I didnt get the hemi because I wanted better gas mileage. I havent had any complaints about power and Ive go 19 mpg on the highway. Mileage around town is usually 15 mpg.

• 

  Best bang for the buck, hands down. - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By George - March 14 - 8:18 pm

  I just love it I cant be more happy with it. I have a Vette with a worked 383 that was never as much fun as thing car is right out of the box. Put a couple grand in upgrade parts into and youll blow the doors off anything on the road. The only cars that can take it on the highway, bone stock, are the STI and EVO. WRXs get smoked.

• 

  Last of a Great Breed - 2000 Dodge Intrepid
  By LoneRanger - March 14 - 3:34 pm

  Traded in a 1995 for the 2000 ES and what a great choice. Now have over 180,000 miles and have only had to replace the water pump at 110,000. Great roominess, comfort and style. Super MPG for a large car always above 22 and up to 28 on trips. Cant understand why its being discontinued, the 3.2 engine runs great with enough power and durability. Door seals shrunk but that is common, 1 window motor gave out, but everything else has been iron clad. Dodge wake up! The Intrepid was your best car...so aerodynamic and stylish...Im looking for another if I can get one I will grab it!

• 

  Caravan 3.0 - 1990 Dodge Caravan
  By Mike - March 14 - 12:27 pm

  we have had this for about 2 years and ran it to death. it has at least one bad valve seal and smokes like crazy, but will not quit and we just keep dumpin the oil in it. rides like a Cadillac and actually runs really well. It has lots of power for what it is. it has been run out of oil more than enough times, but it hasnt died yet. doesnt seem to be rusting out very badly at all with our Pa weather and salt on the roads.

• 

  Great Disappointment - 2007 Dodge Caravan
  By stu - March 13 - 11:30 pm

  This is the 5th Chrysler/Dodge minivan that I have owned, and the worst of the bunch. Good design intention, failed execution. Radio does not get local stations, transmission had to be re-programmed, (that would fix tranny problems also in these reviews) drivers door re-aligned twice, overhead console loose, failed cup holder, weatherstripping falling out of driver & passenger window and hitting people in head, failed resistor in blower control. Must say dealer is absolutely great, but manufacturer built a lemon for me and will not own up to it. E-mailed Dodge web-site, called them, and still no satisfaction. It seems like they want to drive their customer to other makes.

• 

  Should have bought it sooner - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By Toms NYC Review - March 13 - 10:04 pm

  I purchased this car used with only 80 miles on it and got a super deal, number 1. I was statisfied with the price, leather , styling, sunroof, and the space. Hope it would be as powerful as my 1970 Cutlass which I missed dearly, and holy cow it was. Not only was it peppy and powerful but I had all the safety and comfort of a car built today. And yes, it does get good gas mileage when driven nicely, which I personally cannot do! Wish I did not have to deal with all the lovely traffic of NYC, then I can really open it up

• 

  Fustrated - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By Im fustrated - March 13 - 8:02 pm

  We bought the Nitro in August. Has been in the shop a few times for pulling right. Its had two alignments and still pulls. Today it shut off on me. I would not recommend this vehicle to anyone elso.