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 Vehicle - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By fastlane15 - February 24 - 4:39 pm

  My Hemi tows 5000 lbs smoothly. She always starts, never gets stuck. love this car, even though I didnt expect to. On the highway, she gets 17 or 18. But around town she only gets 12 to 13. The dealer is still in the 50s. Thats too bad, because the car has a lot going for it.

• 

  Never again - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By Jeff - February 24 - 1:25 pm

  This car has been nothing but problems from the ball joints to the water pump not to include the door locks and burned out window motor. Dodge did not do their homework when making this model. Shame on you Dodge!

• 

  Vipers Rule - 1997 Dodge Viper
  By Kurt - February 24 - 12:52 pm

  This is my 2nd Viper. I purchased a 1994 RT/10 in 97 and enjoyed the car both on and off the track. Track experience was with the IL Region Viper Club of America. Which included drag racing, autocross and road racing events. My most recent Viper is the 97 Coupe. Much more refined, better handling, more power, and better aerodynamics. I have installed about $15k worth of aftermarket to increase performance. This includes BIG brakes, alum. flywheel, short shifter, hi-ratio roller rockers, smooth tubes, headers/catback exhaust, 3:55 gear, rollbar and fire extinguisher. Car is still street legal, good manners, and all amenties such as air, pwr wndows, stereo, etc. Run 11s in qtr!

• 

  Stratus R/T 5 Speed - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By JackV - February 24 - 10:00 am

  I wasnt necessarily looking for a car this big when I started, but when it was all said and done the bang-for-the-buck of the Stratus R/T was really hard to pass up. It shifts smoothly and everything feels "tight", its very responsive and fun to drive. Initially I hadnt planned on getting one of the factory radios (had planned on putting in my own), but I listened to the Inifinty speakers and decided that the bass and clarity they deliver was more than sufficient for the relatively- little extra they cost.

• 

  durango - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By herd90 - February 24 - 10:00 am

  2nd Durango....love it! Great to drive on the highway and in the city.

• 

  Good Reliable Work Car - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By Bob - February 23 - 12:17 pm

  I bought this Neon from a dealer that use it for a loaner. It has been a very fun car to drive and very reliable. I am on the third set of tires and had to replace both front end wheel bearings, brakes and rotors around 50,000 miles. I have over 75,000 miles and get great fuel economy, around 32 overal with 36 on the highway and 28-30 in town.

• 

  sUPER wAGON - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By HEMI 5 - February 22 - 1:30 am

  Purchased in July, and get many looks and compliments, no complaints to date, except mileage around town with "mds" is never above 11.5 mpg. Quality is as good as any other foreign car, and yet it gets more looks than any common Asian or European vehicle. I have the ability to upgrade engine modifications for performance and looks from dodge division, and not to mention aftermarket parts. When I want the power it is there instantly to the point it can be hair raising!!! Best parts of package is traction control it will most possibly never loose control unless pushed beyond it or any other vehicles limits. Experienced it at 80 mph lost control and came back with no problem.

• 

  I Love It - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By Sweetgirl - February 21 - 9:16 am

  I got my Intrepid about 3 years ago. It was my very first car so, I took extra good care of it. My dad replaced the engine when we bought it because the previous owners did not take care of it. It runs smooth for me(and I do a lot of highway driving). Plus, the car is very roomy and it has a lot of leg room for tall people, I have a tall family and I am tall myself (im about 62) and I do not like trucks so I fit very comfortable in it. I recommed this car to any one who knows how to take care of a car, cause lets face it you treat the motor wrong its going to blow!!

• 

  My "Bessie" - 1997 Dodge Intrepid
  By evelyn - February 21 - 8:47 am

  "Bessie" has been a great car. Through all the trials and tribulations she has been reliable and truly "intrepid."

• 

  Electrical Nightmare - 2003 Dodge Caravan
  By Ali - February 20 - 8:07 pm

  I bought my Caravan brand new and within 2 months of owning it I started having problems. It wont start if the temperature outside is below 30 (dealership cant find problem), I have already had to have drivers side and passenger side windows fixed (they wouldnt roll down), had to have cabin lights fixed twice (first they wouldnt come on and then they wouldnt shut off), and still sometimes when I am driving all the alarms lights and cabin lights come on for no reason and then just back off after a few minutes. This was a replacement for the first 2003 Caravan I originally purchased that exhibited the same problems! Two electrical nightmares in a row!