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:

• 

  So Fun! - 2007 Dodge Charger
  By Carrillo3948 - April 13 - 11:13 pm

  Wow! I saw it, had to drive it, and was so impressed with it, that I bought it! What a car! I am a mom of 3 and traded in the minivan for this red beauty. I cant tell you how fun, smooth, comfortable, reliable, and roomy this car is. I have no regrets. The kids love it, and my husband is a bit jealous.

• 

  I love this truck - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By SixSpeedJunkie - April 12 - 6:09 pm

  This truck is my first new vehicle, and it has turned out to be exactly what I wanted and needed. I have the six speed manual transmission which I love, sports package, and I got it in 2 wheel drive. The gas mileage is terrible, at 16mpg being the best I have gotten, but its hard to stay off the gas when driving a truck that is this much fun.

• 

  Great Car - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By tgrbtr - April 12 - 12:18 pm

  I was going to just pass this car by when I was looking, Im glad I didnt. I needed a car to go back and forth to work in and this car fits that job to a T. Its no rocket but compared to my old 99 Neon it feels like one. I really am glad I found an R/T as there dont seem to be a lot around here. Ive added a few things to help out the fun factor (Brembo rotors w/ new pads, K&N filter, Tornado air foil) Cant argue with build quality as it is a Chrysler so Ill forgive some of it, but as a work car or just for running around town its great!

• 

  I love my Charger - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Byron - April 11 - 7:03 pm

  I think its a great car. Although this modern Hemi is nothing compared to the original (Ive had a 440 Cuda that would outright kill it), the modern Hemi still seems like a great motor, just dont ever think you have a chance against the 440s and 426 Hemis of old. My Charger has the Goodyear RSA tires, which I hear are better than the Continentals, but Im very disappointed with the tires. They dont grip well, especially in winter. And P225 (thats 225mm wide) tires are too narrow on a car of this size. Upgrade, Im telling you. I think the steering could be improved, and as someone else said, the cupholders. Theres nothing else on the market as fast and practical.

• 

  My Durango - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By jack - April 10 - 12:21 pm

  I love my Durango and my wife says its the only kind of vehicle that Im ever allowed to purchase her. Be warned though, gas mileage stinks!

• 

  Great Value - 2001 Dodge Neon
  By The Shamus - April 10 - 12:12 pm

  Neons generally have a bad reputation. My 2001 was purchased new, and I have replaces two tie-rod ends and a fuel pump switch. I had a bad battery replaced under warranty. The interior is roomy for my large 6 foot 2 frame and the seats are more comfortable than anything else I drove in this range. I have 100K miles on this car, and it still responds well. The front disc brakes and exhaust are all still factory original. It does not handle deep snow well. Ive come back to a dead battery a few times for an unknown reason. The radio is upgraded and works well. Infinitely more comfortable and spacious for the passengers than my wifes Corolla.

• 

  Confused - 2006 Dodge Dakota
  By fronteeer - April 10 - 8:40 am

  I took over the lease on a crew cab Dakota 4x4 to help out a friend, and I hate it so much that it sits in the driveway. My other truck is an 05 Frontier SE crew cab, and there is no comparison between the Nissan and the Dodge. If the Dakota was $10,000 less expensive (instead of just cheaper) Id give it some cred for offering a decent work truck to someone with a more modest income. If it sounded good and was fun to drive, Id give it credit for power and handling, even lacking refinement as it does. But for the price, and knowing what Nissan and Toyota are offering, theres no way Id buy this junk heap.Worst money Ive ever spent on anything. Editors Most Wanted?

• 

  2004 Neon - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By sdimig - April 10 - 2:00 am

  Great car. I owned an original Neon and got 165K miles and 10 years of good service out of it. I walked out of the dealer with this one for $13,040 including tax and tags. Did I mention there is a $2500 rebate? The imports (Honda and Toyota) are overrated and overpriced in my opinion. Both the Ford Focus and the Neon are very nice cars for a low price.

• 

  146,000 km still going with a lot of $$$$ - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By steve - April 9 - 7:16 pm

  Had my journey for two years now and have had most of the problems on this review and more. No trouble with motor or tranny luckily. Here are major troubles I have had brakes, power steering, wheel speed sensors, wheel bearings, tie rods, ball joints, rear differential seals twice, transaxle seals, replaced rear cv axles 4 times due to faulty design, rubber door seals falling off, needed to replace tires after 35,000 km/6 months and was unable to get 19" tires from any tire dealer or Dodge, had to buy new tires and rims. Replaced all struts. Rear heater motor. I drive 75,000 km mostly highway, some gravel. Nice car to drive and handles well but costs way to much to keep running not a good buy

• 

  Nice ride, but utterly unreliable - 2001 Dodge Intrepid
  By dfr - April 8 - 9:07 pm

  The car handles well, looks nice, and gets good mileage but is a maintenance nightmare. I was stranded twice by the electrical system while under warranty. In the last 6 months, the car has needed a new oil tray and oil pump ($600) a new timing chain and tensioner ($1200) a new water pump ($800) and a new ais motor and pcv valve with odds and ends for $700. All these repairs were needed between 50,000 and 58,000 miles! Although all cars have problems, having this many on a car this young is completely unacceptable. Aside from the financial hardship, this vehicles lack of reliability forced me to miss two job interviews and a vacation.