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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  Go getter in big comfort - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Mike - October 2 - 1:10 pm

  This is more car than I need; However I am gald I have it all. Very comfortable with the R/T Road and Track package seats. Once you get the idea and the car learns how you want it to go it goes better then most out there. The gas mileage is OK for the power you get out of it. I had leased it but may want to buy out my lease and keep it for longer than expected. Fun family car

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  My First Dodge! - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By David Nolen - October 2 - 10:06 am

  I was initially captivated by the bold, muscular and clean curves of the vehicle. I took the vehicle for a test drive at the urging of my sales representative and before I made it onto the highway, my wallet started looking for a place to hide. It was time to bury my ambition to purchase another Nissan. I settled on the ST 4/2 with the 4.7 Magnum engine. It has the right blend of power and smooth acceleration. The interior is spacious and well appointed with the appropriate luxuries which include power windows, side mirrors, power locks and an AM/FM radio with CD.

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  ONLY THE BEST - 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By MOTHEROF2 - October 2 - 2:00 am

  DODGE WAS THE ORIGINAL WHEN IT CAME TO CARAVANS AND THEY HAVE ONLY IMPROVED OVER THE YEARS THE SLEEK LOOK MAKES IT NOT ONLY A FUNCTIONAL VEHICLE TO DRIVE, BUT A STYLISH ONE AS WELL. THE EASY TO MOVE REAR SEATS MAKE IT EASY TO TRANSFORM THE VAN FROM A FAMILY VAN TO A CARGO VAN- GREAT FOR MOVING FURNITURE! THIS IS NOT YOUR MOMS OLD MINIVAN...

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  Wonderful baby - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By An-Drew Boger - October 1 - 2:28 pm

  Wonderful baby. I had a 1995 coupe and it sold me to purchase this 2002 sedan r/t. I love everything about it. Great car for interior and exterior room, gas mileage, handling and head-room. This is a very stylish car too. The price for this car is great for everyones average budget. I strongly recommend it for everyone.

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  A good sporty car for the price - 2003 Dodge Stratus
  By R/T fan - October 1 - 1:51 pm

  I got my dark blue (great color) R/T coupe about a year ago and have very much enjoyed it. Has plenty of power without having so much that its wasted, very precise handling with little roll, great looking and pretty good standard 4-cd sound system and moonroof. The shifter is in a great location with excellent feel although the clutch is a little heavy and tricky in first, and bravo to Dodge for actually offering a manual with the V6 version of the coupe (unlike GM Grand Am or Alero which had no manual with V6 nor Toyota for the Camry Solara the Mustang has one but the 03s are primitive and I have yet to find a used Accord V6 coupe with the manual). Great mileage (25/30) too!

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  I Like Durangos - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By carolyn - October 1 - 11:57 am

  Ive always liked the looks of the Dodge Durango which attracted me to them in the 1st place. I have driven 2 different Durangos for a 10 yr period and am seriously considering purchasing a new one. The only thing Ive replaced since 2000 is the brakes and an electric window mechanism

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  2 Hemi family - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By herkmech - September 30 - 3:13 pm

  Dodge did a great job with the re- design. Im a muscle car fan myself but this gives us a tatse of both worlds. My two boys love it and no longer want to ride in the 04 Durango (with a Hemi). They say its not as cool as the Charger. Fun to drive! Looks fast just sitting in my driveway! Throttle response is great. Very comfortable leather seats. Plenty of leg room in the back.

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  Bang for the Buck - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By SRT4 - September 30 - 4:50 am

  Great Performance without the big V8s A sleeper car in Europe. Only the Americans are driving SRT4s. Its fun to see a persons face who paid 3 times what you paid, when passing them on the Autobahn.

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  Best Car Ive Ever Owned - 2000 Dodge Intrepid
  By Harvey - September 28 - 4:58 pm

  I now have just over 240,000 miles on this car. It has the original engine and transmission. I just had a valve job done on the car about 4,000 miles ago for $750. No repairs to the transmission other than standard maintenance. The interior is slightly faded from the desert sun, but still in almost perfect shape the dash isnt cracked and the upholstery is completely intact. I havent even had to change the struts yet. Every day I drive this car the durability and reliability of it continue to amaze me. I believe this car will go over 300,000 miles or more. This is the best car Ive ever owned. Dodge really, really, really needs to bring this car back!

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  Stealth - 1991 Dodge Stealth
  By Sean - September 28 - 1:37 pm

  I love this care to death. trust me. but for it being a 1991 the reliability isnt too good. I have a lot of electronic problems. Its a fast car and its easy to modify. But it has a lot of electronic parties.