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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  Cute car - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By crankyone - December 28 - 5:43 pm

  Its a cute car, its nice and fun to drive, but theres always something going wrong with it after 3 months. The engine/transmission light always comes on, even when it rains and nothing is wrong with the car whatsoever. Its frustrating taking it in thinking something is wrong with it, and then being told there isnt anything wrong with it, and still having the light on

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  piece of junk Neon - 1999 Dodge Neon
  By jimf - December 28 - 4:35 pm

  This car has got to be a low point in US auto build quality. It is a piece of junk. DO NOT BUY ONE ! Ever !!... At 20K the head gasket blew which Chrysler refused to cover. The head lights frosted over within 3 years. The moon roof broke before the car was 2 years old. The center tail light seal failed thus filling the trunk with rain water. The power windows misaligned after 3 years making the doors very difficult to open. The power door locks stopped functioning on the rear doors. Now, with only 47000 very gentle miles on it, the rear main seal blew out putting a quart of oil on the road every 60 miles. Oh yes, the tranny will not go into 3rd gear when cold. Has done this for years.

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  Love the SUV! - 2008 Dodge Nitro
  By mkunz56 - December 28 - 3:41 pm

  I read the review by the customer that is obviously disgruntled, and couldnt disagree more! Ive worked in the automotive industry for years, and cant recommend the Nitro strongly enough. The only detractor that can readily be noticed is the fuel economy the 3.7L engine has my mileage at about 17 mpg (city). A little excessive if you ask me, but the rest of the car more than makes up for that. The Nitro is unbelievably stable for a vehicle its size. I own the 4 X 4, and found it to be great in snow. While evryone else was sliding, I was right on track. The styling right on the money, too. In short, you cant go wrong with this vehicle!

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  King Of The Road - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By RAYROC - December 28 - 1:04 pm

  Runs well, although engine isnt as solid as id like it to be and the driver compartment is very noisy at higher speeds.

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  Disaster waiting to happen - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By Sludge Monster - December 28 - 10:57 am

  I once read a Durango review that stated, "You never forget youre driving a truck" and that is a perfect description of this SUVs ride comfort. I wanted truck-like durability so I wasnt worried about the harshness of the ride I liked the high clearance and true off-road capability of this vehicle. However, there is a huge oil-pressure issue with this engine. Dodge blames "sludge" and poor maintenance but even meticulously maintained Durangos meet the same fate. Our engine literally blew up just before 60,000 miles. Replaced the engine only to discover more issues requiring money. I loved driving this SUV but warn used car buyers to steer clear of this potential money pit.

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  Dependable and Stylish - 2001 Dodge Intrepid
  By Bill - December 28 - 7:50 am

  I bought this former rental car off a dealers lot in 11/01 with 24,000 miles and now has over 135,000 miles on it. I commute 60 miles a day primarily freeway driving and consistently get 23- 25 MPG. Im 6"6" so I need a roomier car and this fits the bill and I get good mileage to boot. Good reliability as the car still is working off the original battery and I didnt replace first set of brakes until 80,000 miles. It has yet to start leaking any fluid and still has orginal transmission. Ive replaced a water pump that expectedly went bad at about 120,000 miles but thats about it so far. I may trade in 08 for something new-but will need to go long way to beat value this car provides.

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  Excellent SUV - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By SgtAF41 - December 27 - 10:30 pm

  I love my truck - the obvious negative is the gas mileage, but everything else is a plus. Ride, handling, great interior, very comfortable. I would buy a Durango again.

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  Fun Car to drive - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Julie - December 26 - 2:26 pm

  I llove this car. Fun to drive. You do not feel the transmission shift. Lots of space. Good gas mileage even before being broken in. Great car.

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  SRT-4 - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By MARK - December 26 - 5:50 am

  Im currently a proud owner of a Dodge SRT-4. Though many people have said its just a Neon, this car packs a serious punch. And unlike the EVO you can modify this car without voiding the warranty, as long as you stick with performance modifications made by Mopar. The best thing about this car is that they found a way to make it have all the fun toys of an expensive tuner car but still be at a reasonable price!

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  260,000 and still going - 1992 Dodge Spirit
  By jsav - December 25 - 11:30 pm

  I bought this car with about 110,000 on it. Now it has 260,000 and still getting around 25mpg, and about 28mpg after a tune up. I have not touched this motor other then regular tune ups and I broke the timing belt at 204000 and replaced it. I have put a power steering pump, fuel pump and starter on this car. I change oil about every 5000 and it does not affect it. It have the 3.0 v6. I work construction and this is my work car so it really gets abused but I can not complain one bit. I had a plan of retiring it when it hit 1/4 million miles, but I figured lets go for 300000. I put snows on it in the winter and it gets around great. I have hit a couple deer with it ect. what a car.