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:

• 

  Excellent Vehicle - 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Phillip Merlino - August 18 - 10:00 am

  This Vehicle has been absouloutely wonerfull for the last 25,000 miles we looked at the Pontiac, T&C , And Honda. They didnt compare at all to the Gran Caravan Ex. We have it all fully loaded with leather power doors and liftgate 3.8 liter 215 horsepower engine 4 disc CD player etc. For only $26,678 an excellent value! Also we have 0% APR For 60 months this car has amaizing excelleration for a minivan the engine is much more refined than the honda. and feels alot more peppy than the pontiac.

• 

  good - 2003 Dodge Viper
  By MONKEY - August 18 - 2:00 am

  itis very good car but really not an everyday car.its just a toy.

• 

  Roomy, good looks and pep - 2001 Dodge Intrepid
  By Skyflyin - August 18 - 2:00 am

  I have had this car about 9 months now and enjoy it very much. It is very roomy with a extremely large trunk, drives well and gets good gas milage (I have averaged 26 mpg). The car tends to overstear a bit and the road noise is quite loud on rougher roads, but the excellent handling and peppy engine make this a fun car to drive. I agree that the low front end makes it harder to judge distance while parking, but I have not had a problem getting in and out of the car (Im 61") as some others have said. Overall this is a good car and the price is reasonable. I would not hesitate to get another one.

• 

  What a Great SUV! - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By Dave - August 17 - 6:36 am

  I traded in a Chevy Suburban for this great SUV. The Nitros fit and finish blows away any domestic Ive owned. This vehicle is fun to drive and really turns heads. I have never owned a Dodge but its pretty clear that Daimler has had a very positive influence on this build. May have to buy another one.

• 

  the economy way to go ! - 2003 Dodge Caravan
  By williams infante - August 17 - 2:00 am

  I was looking for an inexpensive minivan but also reliable and comfortable. When I test drove the Dodge Caravan, from that moment I knew that a better minivan for the price I will not find.

• 

  intrepid - 2004 Dodge Intrepid
  By walter w smyth - August 16 - 2:00 am

  Good Car--drives well---looks nice

• 

  intrepid es sxt - 2004 Dodge Intrepid
  By geagle36 - August 16 - 2:00 am

  previous vehicle was a 2000 intrepid es.this car seems to have better build quality asthe doors fit better,the air is more efficient and the overall comfort is better

• 

  FAMILY VAN - 2003 Dodge Caravan
  By LAWRENCE - August 16 - 2:00 am

  There are two 98 Caravan SEs in the family. Air conditioners have went out on both at around 98,000 miles. Cost is over $900. to have one fixed. Other than that, Caravans are reliable. 4 cyls re low speed on take-off whereas the 6 cyls are great. The iterior and exterior hold up vey well in wear. Van is grat on a long trip - with air conditioning.

• 

  Best Vehicle I Ever Owned - 2001 Dodge Durango
  By Gary Ciborowski - August 15 - 2:00 am

  With 36,000 miles now, I have never been stranded, its never stalled and it gets 17 mpg. Easy to drive, great visibility and very, very safe. More affordable than Chevy and Ford and does all they do, and more, with the fold down 3rd seat. Cold front and back A/C, decent CD system and nice ergonomics inside. I would buy another one if the price was right.

• 

  Her Car by kevin - 2000 Dodge Intrepid
  By kv - August 14 - 2:00 am

  We purchased an ES model with 24,000 miles 10 months ago. It now has 55,000 on it and not once back to the dealership. We just love the car. We bought it for the roominess as we need to fit 3 car seats. I would not have bought a car this size without the larger engine. We traded in a Stratus so we were use to the blocked rear view and the low nose. I also think the value is there. The blue book even with our extra mileage deduction, is still around what we paid. Maybe used is a better value than new. I am also impressed with the quality or this wouldnt be our 3rd Dodge. Im glad my wife chose the Intrepid.