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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  dons dakota - 1993 Dodge Dakota
  By donrv2 - December 20 - 2:00 am

  Ive had dakota all up and down the west coast. On the road and off. I have "c" class 6ply all-seasons on factory mags. Other than a glass "Century" canopy,bed liner,$900.00 Aspen Stereo, my baby is factory stock. Maybe 2000 miles of my driving has been off road. I love to camp, hike and fish. Especially fly. Ive never been stuck. Ive never broken down. Ive plowed through snow deep enough I couldnt open my door to get out.

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  My love Intrepid - 2001 Dodge Intrepid
  By ctlee/Choon-Taek Lee - December 20 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car nine month ago when I came to USA. At a first look, I was fascinated by its beautiful style. On the test drive, this car showed me smooth and powerful ride. Still I keep this feeling. During the highway drive, it shows tis real value. Smooth, good performance in uphill satisfied me. No repair cost at all except regular maintenance fee.

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  Completely Happy With The Durango - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By Yellowlab - December 20 - 2:00 am

  I bought my 1999 Durango brand new in Feb 1999 and have 80,000+ miles on it now. Ive had a few routine maintanance things done (tires, battery, and front brake pads), but NO malfunctions or problems of any kind. I havent been this happy with a vehicle in a long time, and plan on keeping it until I buy another Durango. Ive taken it on 3 trips of over 4,000 miles (Route 66 was my favorite) and it performed excellent.

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  2001 Intrepid R/T Motorsports - 2001 Dodge Intrepid
  By rg - December 19 - 2:00 am

  The R/T is the top of the intrepid line & it performs like it. The Motorsports edition is very rare & was only made in 2001 to celebrate the return of Dodge to NASCAR. There were only 383 of these cars made. I love the looks of this car & its extremely roomy.

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  Impressed so far - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By jbrillo - December 19 - 2:00 am

  Never considered a Dodge(bad experience with a 92 Dodge)till I did a lot of reading and decided to give them a second chance. Very comfortable and very easy to drive. Suprisingly quiet. Running boards a must.I gave fuel economy a 7 b/c my former car,a modified 99 Mustang,averaged about 17- MPG. Durango doesnt represent a big change. Only got 157mi so far, but the avg. fuel economy says 14MPG. Should get slightly better in time. I gave 10s on build quality & reliability, but these are still pending. Ratings not accurate till I get more drive time & miles behind it. For now, theyll get a 10.I plan on giving periodic updates.

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  Well Done Dodge !! - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By InSUVheaven - December 18 - 7:43 pm

  My 2nd Durango.My RT has everything, a powerful engine, full time AWD plus 4HI and 4 LO, when you need it in slick conditions or pulling your boat out of the lake. It comes standard with a high performance exhust, a upgraded suspension and rack & pinion steering so you can really feel the road, unlike some other SUVs. Dont settle for anything less than the R/T if you can afford it. My fuel mileage avgs between 10-11mpg around town and 15 on the highway

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  recommended! - 2001 Dodge Intrepid
  By dem440c - December 18 - 2:00 am

  We bought this car for my wife to drive, and after nearly two years, she will still gush about how much she loves this car. This is coming from a woman who is very particular, so that is no small feat. The Intrepid is roomy, comfortable, and reliable with good looks, power, handling, versatility, and economy. It is not a sports car, but it is very competent in the city and on the highway, offering the stability of a large car with the nimble and quick characteristics of something much smaller. After almost 30,000 miles, I have done nothing but change the oil and put gas in it.

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  Reliable sports car - 1994 Dodge Stealth
  By Sam Casella - December 17 - 2:00 am

  This car has been a reliable, solid performer. People always think its newer than it is, thanks to its sensational styling. If they ask, I tell them about its outstanding comfort, excellent build quality, mechanical toughness and relatively good fuel efficiency. Bought new, at over 100,000 miles it has proven to be a great ride and a great buy too.

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  BEST BEAST - 1996 Dodge Dakota
  By CHUCK GOINS - December 17 - 2:00 am

  OIL CHANGE EVER 4500 MILES OTHER THAN THAT I PUT A WATER PUMP IN IT WHICH COST $330.00.

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  This car is excellent in all catagories. - 1998 Dodge Stratus
  By 98stratuses - December 16 - 2:00 am

  We bought this car with 28000 miles on it in August of 2000. We havent had any trouble with his car except front brake replacement,and replaced distributor cap. Total repairs for 14 months, $360.47,labor included.The speedometer just rolled 50000 today and it still drives like a new car. We went new car shopping. Decided we had as good as a new car so we decided to keep our 1998 Dodge Stratus ES.Go buy one. youll be glad you did.Buy the 1998 Dodge Stratus ES. Check it out in the Consumer Magazine. for 1998 model cars.