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:

• 

  Great Vechicle- Exceptional Value - 2006 Dodge Durango
  By Mr.Mom - April 4 - 7:08 am

  Exceptional features minus the bling. As a 64 Mr.Mom, I can comfortably haul our kids or sheets of drywall without missing a beat! I get 14mpg in the city and about 19-20mpg on the highway. Our Durango is a pleasure to drive. Steering is smooth and responsive. The interior is quiet. By the way, on the freeway the Hemi is the real deal! When you need to change lanes it goes into warp speed although the driver always feels a sense of being in total control.

• 

  Most Fun for under $22K - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By cubano5611 - April 3 - 10:17 pm

  Great vehicle, only cost me $21,950 and has been worth every penny. The power it delivers matches that of a mid priced sports car and can easily fit four adults. Comfort is great and so is the ride quality. Iit is not luxuriously smooth, but is equal to your compact four door cars on the road today.

• 

  Dont waste your money! - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By Melissa - April 3 - 12:55 pm

  I bought the car because I loved the look, and it seemed great durning the test drive Its had issues since I bought it! The steering wheel mysteriously locks up, then releases its self, the brakes and rotors have been changed many times, by different people, so the constant squeaking and grinding I know has to be a problem with the car. The dash board rattles, the road noise is horrible, the windshield wipers are a joke (not the blades, the bolt holding them on, the part that squirts the cleaner, etc) And now the trannys going out. Theres so much more to complain about but Ill just leave it as Ill never buy another and highly suggest no one else does either!

• 

  GREAT MINIVAN - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By COCOAPEPPE - April 3 - 2:00 am

  GREAT VEHICLE TO DRIVE. I WENT FROM THE GRAND AM TO THIS AND IT IS AMAZING. THE FEEL OF THE MINIVAN IS JUST LIKE A CAR BUT YOU ARE HIGHER OFF THE GROUND.

• 

  Great Van - 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By MMMMMM - April 3 - 2:00 am

  We love having a mini van it great and very pratical. Ive put 50k on it, but the van has 148000. Just starting to leek fluid. Only repair was a water pump. Great family vehicle and travel vehicle.

• 

  Buy this piece! - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By AgileSRT - April 3 - 2:00 am

  This car is cheap, outruns everything I come up upon on the road, is affordable to modify, I enjoy it more than life. :)

• 

  good little car.. - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By verbalbliss - April 3 - 2:00 am

  nice little car if you dont plan on driving a truck or suv while getting to know this little guy it does handle well and speed is not an option overall its somthing so far i can live with...

• 

  Not just a Neon. - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By grappler_123 - April 3 - 2:00 am

  I just bought a new SRT-4 and I love it. Performs like it should cost $30000. The performance of this vehicle without upgrades is outstanding, and with the proper mods can be breathtaking. Finally an American carmaker that gets it. I dont care what anyone says about it being a Neon, its not. Its a superstreet on a Neon platform.

• 

  One Great Patrol Vehicle - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By Rick Karle - April 3 - 2:00 am

  After 7 Yrs of driving Ford Crown Vics it was a pleasure to get behind the wheel of my 2004 Durango 4WD. Handling is GREAT and there is loads of room for all my equipment. This truly is one GREAT patrol Vehicle.

• 

  Mom mobile - 2005 Dodge Caravan
  By kayadento - April 2 - 7:12 pm

  Very dependable and reliable. No problems ever. Not so cool to drive though. It is a mom mobile. My kids are getting older and think it is a loser cruiser. It is a great automobile for older couples and people with young kids.