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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  Very Satisfied - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By TIM - March 1 - 1:08 pm

  I have been captivated by the new Charger since first seeing them as the new county sheriff vehicles, in November I fulfilled my dream and bought one. Great car to own and drive, especially with the Hemi. Everyone at work just drools.

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  Great Car - 2007 Dodge Charger
  By 07RT - March 1 - 11:58 am

  This is the best car I have owned, and I have owned a lot. Its great when you step on the gas pedal, and you feel the HEMI power. I have gotten a lot of compliments in the 1 month I have owned the car.

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  Horrible Experience - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Horrific - March 1 - 10:00 am

  Ive had so many recalls, I know all the shop attendants by first name. No time for poor reliability. Brakes went before 20K miles-recalled. AC went out over summer-recalled. Shifts down hard when let foot off gas-transmission problem? Doors & radiator cap recalled. Should have bought a used car with 75K miles--would have been more reliable.

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  Getting our fourth Transmission - 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Emily LaFountain - March 1 - 10:00 am

  We are on our fourth transmission. This last transmission lasted less than 25 miles. We picked it up from the dealership and left, we did not get above 50 miles an hour and half way home the engine light went on and it would no longer shift in to second gear. We are not the only ones having this problem with this model (SE). There are three other vans being repaired for the same thing on only has 38 miles on it. We have owned the vehicle for 5 months now and have only been able to drive it maybe a total of 2 months not consecutively. The dealership said they want to put one more in before giving us a refund. I come from an extended family that only buys Dodge, but not any more.

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  Dodge Dakota - 1999 Dodge Dakota
  By broncos4zak - March 1 - 1:28 am

  Overall this truck has served me well. The power isnt too bad, interior comfort is pretty good. Reliability has been good. The market value stinks though.

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  This truck rocks - 1996 Dodge Dakota
  By sydbarrett1970 - February 28 - 12:35 am

  Ive had my 96 sport 2.5 4 cyl. for 4 years now, bought it when it had 103,000 miles on it, one previous owner, and let me you, this truck is seriously well built. Dodge apparantly used an engine that was unique to all the other Dakotas of the period, (at least for the 4 cyl model), a motor designed for Jeep, it was originally designed by a collaboration of engine makers, (Renault, Chrysler, and maybe a third party?) Anyway, anyone I have ever talked to says the same...this truck is really built to last. One person I spoke with said he sold his when it had 300,000 on it and it still ran strong. I absolutely love mine.

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  Talk about fun and RESPECT - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By big bobby g - February 27 - 11:33 am

  What a fantastic car this is. The most fun Ive ever had. It looks great, runs just as smooth as glass, the SXT high power has plenty of speed. The "auto- stick" shifter is a kick to use. The sound system is terrific and the ride comfort is excellent. I cant say enough about this auto. I took it to "donut derelicts" in Huntington Beach and the guys really loved the car. I could have sold 15 of them for cash money. Ill never sell it.

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  I like very much - 2007 Dodge Caravan
  By ron - February 26 - 12:37 am

  Fun so far. Did not have a thing go wrong. Can not wait for the new van come out with a sunroof this time and more power

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  All good - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By tom - February 25 - 11:22 am

  This SUV has been a good ride thus far. We had owned three Jeep Grand Cherokees prior. The Durango is much more comfortable, and smoother. Gas mileage is not as good though. Only gripe is a plastic seat belt cover on drivers side. It has broken off three times. I also know its still a problem on 05 and 06 models

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  i love my little sports car - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By courtney - February 25 - 4:55 am

  i love my little sports car. I fell in love with it the first time that I drove it and knew I had to have it. It has the perfect amount of get up and go and can get you in lots of trouble if youre not careful. Knock on wood that I have not had any trouble since I bought it. Now that I have gotten married I need a bigger car but I just can not stand the thought of someone else getting my baby. If I could I would keep it as my little run around car. Also I was told that I would not get better than 25 mpg on the highway. Well my little silver sports car fooled them. I get 31 mpg. I am very satisfied.