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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  06 Magnum - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By Phil - June 10 - 12:03 am

  My SXT AWD is the most fun auto Ive ever owned. It has head-turning style and a performance package that allows the car to be a king on the road.

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  This car was a life saver - 1996 Dodge Avenger
  By Janet - June 9 - 10:33 pm

  Bought a 96 Avenger ES with 104K for my 17 yo son. The most important thing I can say about this car is that it was substantial and well built enough to save his life in a bad front end collision. Both airbags deployed and the car was totaled, but he walked away without a scratch. He is crushed about losing this car-his first and like a friend to him. Well designed inside and out--I found it comfortable to drive and am 50 yo with a young one in a carseat--easiest 2 door to get child in and out of carseat I have ever used- loved the way the front seats slid forward automatically. Quality for this American made car is exceptional and ergonomic. Handled well, fun to drive, no major problems.

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  Buy One! - 1999 Dodge Viper
  By handyman - June 8 - 6:39 pm

  I bought this car last summer and have loved it. Its my weekend car, but my wife and I drove it on a long trip and it was very comfy. Huge power, huge attention, lots of fun!

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  2nd Neon Purchace - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By Kay - June 8 - 6:55 am

  This is my second Dodge Neon purchase. I bought the 2005 Dodge Neon STX model with rear spoiler this time. This model is sporty stylish and still turns heads. Its roomy and has pep when you put your foot on the gas. I love this car for the price and gas miles. Relieable so far.

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  Looks are deceiving! - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By Brenda - June 7 - 11:49 pm

  My 99 Intrepid ran great, looks great and is great, unless you have to diagnose a malfunction with it. One problem consist of 4 or 5 smaller problems together and will cost you an arm and a leg to fix correctly.

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  2003 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab SLT+ 2WD 3.9L - 2003 Dodge Dakota
  By stevew - June 7 - 4:15 am

  The Dodge Dakota has been a great truck for me. I originally had a 90 Dakota that was still running great at 230,000 miles. Then I joined the Marine Corps and bought the 03 Quad Cab. The only problem Ive had with it was a crack in a rubber hose for the fuel EVAP emissions system - a simple inexpensive repair. After sitting in a parking lot for 7 months while I was in Iraq (twice), it ran perfectly for me when I returned (as well as after 2 one month trips to AZ.) It gets me 18 MPG (mixed) and has reached 20MPG (hwy) several times. Bottom line - I love it! I see myself driving this 1 for years to come and probably nothing but Dakotas for the rest of my life.

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  Sweet - 1997 Dodge Neon
  By Christi3435 - June 6 - 6:15 pm

  Awesome car! Especially when swapped with a 2.4L! The SOHC engine that was in it was virtually indestructible. Interior was a little plain and goofy, but you can swap any year neon (including the SRT-4) seats into it.

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  Bad Transmission & 3.0L Timing Belt - 1998 Dodge Caravan
  By Sound Advice - June 6 - 3:32 pm

  Trade-in or sell your Caravan before 100K miles. Reason - the transmission will go out and cost you $2K to replace. If you are unfortunate to have the 3.0L engine ... change your timing belt every 60K miles otherwise this "interference engine" is going to self-destruct one day on you after the timing belt breaks! (Seems the pistons keep moving and slam into the valves,walls,whatever they can hit ... when the timing belt breaks) I really like the Caravan, but if there is a next one it is going to be traded-in or sold before 90K miles. 3.0L engine owners ... it is a ticking time bomb under your hood. Dont believe me ... ask a decent mechanic about the 3.0L interference engine!

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  Best Used Car for the Money - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By carnut - June 6 - 1:45 am

  I think that these Neons get a lot of negative publicity because of the Toyota/Nissan/Honda owners out there. For a used car though, I would rather buy a Neon for $4,000 than an Import for $7,000 any day. You cant beat it for the value and the more I drive mine, the more I like it. Mind you, it isnt worth buying new and if I did, Id buy the Honda Civic but resale value works in favor of the used car buyer too, and I lucked out with my Neon. I would definitely buy the Used Neon over the Used Civic any day.

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  Worst car I ever bought - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By TMCC - June 5 - 5:56 pm

  I bought this car in may of 2008, i came home with it and it had to go back to get the DVD installed, which ended up being a huge issue because no one at the dealership was trained on how to work it, same with the MYGIG. then we get it back the air bag light came on, then we were back in the shop for another 6 weeks until they could figure out the problem, now at 19k miles the brakes an rotors have to be replaced, the dealership said that every 9k this is happening...calle the useless folks at Dodge headquarters, they advise that this is normal wear and tear...also there is smoke that comes out from under the hood, which i have been told is brake dust, and that my car is safe to drive...