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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  Awesome! - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Ken - October 26 - 5:16 am

  This is the most awesome vehicle Ive ever owned. The power and smooth ride are better than I anticipated. If you own this car, you will find a lot more people looking at it and asking questions.

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  VROOM! VROOM! VIPER! - 2003 Dodge Viper
  By lainabove - October 26 - 1:00 am

  All I can say is if you have the money buy the car. It is fun and VERY FAST! The best car I have ever owned!

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  Best Bang for Buck! - 2001 Dodge Neon
  By 2001NeonES - October 26 - 1:00 am

  When deciding on a small car to transport my newborn child and keep that mess out of my show car I looked at all the small compacts. After driving them all I drove a Neon. When you get in the car you forget youre in a "Neon" and it resembles a high end sedan. Engine power is ok, but with a few bolt ons the car will easily hang with the everyday Honda. Handling rivals my old mustang and the looks of this car are definatly Mopar. I love the looks I get when passing people on the highway or when Im in a parking lot and have people ask "Is that a Neon?!"

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  oh yeah - 1996 Dodge Viper
  By waldo1217 - October 25 - 2:00 am

  A fun to drive car that has a lot of raw power, and is very reliable.

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  Oh Those Sensors!!! - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By Wgold - October 25 - 2:00 am

  I also had problems with both sensors. I learned too well what "Limp Mode" was! The total cost for both episodes was about $260 each. Definitively its something that needs to be corrected. I have gone over 100K miles and I use it every day. I love he car and probably would buy anotherÂ…If they fix those darn sensors.

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  Great car for the money - 2003 Dodge Stratus
  By John420 - October 25 - 2:00 am

  Traded in a 99 Breeze with 83,000 miles for this Stratus 4 cylinder ES used with 19,000 on it.So far its been a Great car. Some minor adjustments like noisy wiper blades and excessive wind noise from the drivers door.I will have to go back to have this fixed again as they adjusted the door, but its still there. Also need to get corrected a noisy wine from altenator. Otherwise it rides smooth and fairly quiet.

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  awsome care - 1992 Dodge Stealth
  By Guy Miller - October 24 - 2:00 am

  this is car is awsome and fun to drive, its probably the fastest car i have ever had

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  Great car - 2001 Dodge Intrepid
  By mgriffith - October 24 - 2:00 am

  I bought that car in January 2001 with only 24k miles and I am now approaching 85k miles. The only thing I have done to the car is a new set of tires, and regular oil changes along the way. THIS IS A GREAT CAR. I have added an oil air filter to the car which has increased the gas mileage by +15%. I am getting about 30 miles/gallon. The ride is nice, the road noise is fine (as far as Im concerned) I will be looking to get another one when I replace this one.

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  Awesome vehicle - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By Barry Dufoe - October 22 - 3:40 pm

  Great vehicle to drive, with plenty of room. The Hemi runs spectacular, and mileage is better than the Trailblazer inline 6. I highly recommend it. Great body fit and finish. Perfect paint(silver). its the #1 SUV in looks/ interior. Chrysler guages are easy on your eyes. it has the most comfortable seats, and the front window is shaped so the sun is not in your eyes. Well done Dodge

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  the best car there is - 2003 Dodge Viper
  By Slyguyy131 - October 22 - 2:00 am

  this car is the best u will own. if u dont have a viper yet u should go out and buy 1 right now. if u have a lambo or ferrari sell it and buy as many vipers as u can