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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  Yes I Drive a Minivan- and Love It - 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Momto3 - March 10 - 6:07 am

  I am not a very tall person (55), so not sure about how this can fits taller people, but for me its wonderful. Kids have tons of room and even lots of storage room in the back. Car accelerates responsively, and interior is comfortable. We have taken this van on many trips already and no complaints from the kids. We bought the higher level, with lots of gadgets and entertainment features, well worth it! Price was good too when compared to others we test- drove (Sienna, etc)

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  Good so far - 2005 Dodge Stratus
  By watcher7 - March 9 - 6:56 pm

  Purchased used with 26,000 miles have 36,000 now with no problems mine is a 2.7l flex fuel. Very comfortable and quiet ride. Transmission seems to lose fluid slowly over a long period of time but find no leaks had a few rough gear changes but other wise flawless . Plan to keep and have no regrets so far.

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  Best car I ever owned - 1994 Dodge Shadow
  By wirth85 - March 9 - 3:23 pm

  This is the most reliable and fun car I ever driven. It is always reliabe in the winter and handles very well. No engine problems yet and I dont expect any.

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  Very Reliable, Great Mileage - 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Very Pleased - March 8 - 10:10 pm

  I have owned this van for about a year, and it has always been very reliable. I bought it used with about 90,000 miles on it, and it runs like it is still new. My average miles per gallon is between 22-26. What more can you ask for from a minivan? It has never let me down and I have only had to do routine matinence (brakes, tires, oil changes, etc.). I would purchace another one in the future.

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  Dodge Dakota Quad Cab - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By Sean - March 8 - 9:28 pm

  Purchased 2005 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab last year 1/2005. I have had both shocks replaced, it has been realigned 5 times, I have had it stall numerous times at a stop lights, problems with the transmission (torque converter, valve body and front pump just replaced 38000 miles) and the EGR valve. It has a horrible ride to it and it is getting worse. I am very dissappointed with this vehicle and will never ever by another Dodge or American made vehicle.

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  Needs some fixing - 1993 Dodge Dakota
  By chad - March 8 - 2:03 pm

  My vehicle has many miles and has gotten me through some deep mud. I live on a farm and I always have to drive through the mud. Even though I dont have four wheel drive it manages well in the mud and snow with sand bags in the back. She runs excellent.

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  One of my Favourites - 2006 Dodge Durango
  By Jamie - March 8 - 12:09 pm

  I had a 2002 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer Edition so it was loaded with all the goodies. When I bought the Durango it was SXT model so it doesnt have any of the bells and whistles that the Explorer had but it drives much smoother, faster, and is more comfortable than the Explorer. I regret not getting the Hemi and SLT or Limited edition but I was already at my limit. Cold mornings its a little sluggish until it gets warm but the past few days of hot weather in Colorado its fast off the mark!

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  Just keep walking passed a Dodge - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By GI Tiger - March 7 - 11:34 pm

  I had the V8 crew cab, nice and roomy, but to much dead space. Dodge could of had more compartments and better use of the wide open spaces. The cab would creek,moan and crackle. One of the weirdest trucks Ive ever owned (5 mons). resale/trade-in was really bad. I took a $8000 bath on this one. The worst truck I ever bought, If it wasnt in the shop, it was setting because the the starter, lights, sinsors staying on or something else

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  2003 Dakota Sport Plus - 2003 Dodge Dakota
  By Dusty - March 7 - 5:02 pm

  The Dakota has been a great truck with lots of power, a smooth drivetrain, rugged and reliable that remains quiet and comfortable. It is larger than models from Nissan and Toyota and that was the deciding factor in my purchase. It functions as a part time personal and work vehicle and does both more than adequately. My year-to-date fuel mileage is 16.82 and I can consistently get 20mpg carrying 900 lbs. of ATV and additional gear in the summertime. The 4.7 has excellent low end torque which I appreciate on hills and for towing. Mine has been reliable, with two recalls and one heater blower resistor failure. No rattles or squeaks after five years!

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  Underrated - 1990 Dodge Spirit
  By kkent - March 7 - 2:44 pm

  This is the best all around used car for the money. Im getting great mileage and it has a surprisingly comfortable ride. Also found parts are cheap and easy to find