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:

• 

  New to me 04 Neon - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By X-CamryOwner - February 2 - 4:58 pm

  I got this 04 SXT used with 85,777 miles on it. I test drove it twice and loved it. Was easy to back into the space on the dealers lot on the first drive. Only had to take it back 1 time for a diagnostic code 0340. The dealer also programmed the door remote I purchased elsewhere and gave me another when I took it in for the 0340 code. It has been fun to drive. It is a bit noisy on the highway and rough roads, but come on, it is not a Lexus. I am not regretting buying it. I have an 05 PT Conv and the dash is almost identical. I did get the 6 cd changer in the Neon - love it. Its a little low to the ground, but will get bigger tires/wheels when tires need replacing.

• 

  Solid Build Great Car - 2006 Dodge Stratus
  By travelin man - February 2 - 4:57 pm

  I am a cross country sales rep and drive an average of 30-40k a year. I recently sold my 02 Dodge Stratus with 194,550 miles with no problems whatsoever. I change the oil every 3- 5k and it gets me where i want to go. Solid car. My 2006 SXT has 55k on it already and has been just as reliable. How can someone buy a Camry for 4-6k more? I havent yet figured that out. I owned an Accord before my Stratus and lost the vtec engine at 100k. Pretty bad Id say. For the price and reliability you cant beat a used domestic.

• 

  Dodge Caliber - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By lexan1965 - February 2 - 2:03 am

  Great price for a whole lot of car. You cant beat it when it comes to price for everything u get on this vehicle. It looks and handles like a mini SUV and Ive had a lot of people say how much they like the looks of it.

• 

  Awesome - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By dtylor - February 1 - 9:39 pm

  In July 2005 we purchased a 2006 RT. It is the most awesome car I have ever driven. My husband is very jealous. He only gets to drive it on weekends (sometimes). This car is very reliable, no problems at all. It takes corners like nothing and gets you where you want to go in no time flat (watch for the cops) not to mention all the looks I get from people. The stereo is great. When you turn it up the side view mirrors vibrate. I feel very safe with and without kids in the car

• 

  Our van - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Mandy kienast - February 1 - 9:26 pm

  Van is well designed and quality built.The interior is comfortable and accomodating. Has good safety features, handles well on the freeway.

• 

  Lemon Law - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By family of five - February 1 - 5:43 pm

  We purchased our Dodge Grand Caravan in 11/04. We loved all of the features, especially the 6 disc DVD and stow n go. After the first year of ownership, we have had nothing but problems! Chrysler is purchasing our van back because of the lemon laws. We had so many things replaced (tie rods, sway bars, seats(cable broke), leak in the AC and AC replaced due to the recall. We are now looking at Sienna. It may cost us more but at least I wont spend a lot of time at the service center.

• 

  Great car, bad tranny. - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By Tim - January 31 - 6:11 am

  After 5 years and over 100,000 miles this has proven to be a surprisingly comfortable and reliable car in general, and it has even aged very well. Ive replaced niggling stuff like the wiper arms and washer nozzle, but everything else has held up. Its very easy on brakes and tires (each replaced only once in 100,000 miles), and the engine has always been smooth and quiet and required no unscheduled maintenance at all. The scary part is the most expensive part of the car. The transmission has been the leakiest Ive ever seen in my life! It has leaked from day one and after replacing $1000 worth of hydrolic hoses and modules it has a bad leak again!

• 

  No problems so far--but 2nd row? OUCH - 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Minivan Mom - January 31 - 3:56 am

  We are one week into our new Caravan-- fourth weve owned since 1996. So far so good. My only real complaint is that the "new" seats are scratchy and uncomfortable, especially in the 2nd row. Theres a bar that hits right at an adults shoulder blades--OUCH. We have two teens and its not so great for them. Younger kids would be no problem. Love the dual channel DVD & myGig radio. The backup camera seems to work nicely also. Last one owned was a 2006 and Dodge has cut corners on this new one compared to old-- plastic spoiler on back end, plastic bumper guard, etc. But best improvement--2nd row windows go 2/3 down. Much appreciated change! Great deals out there--go get one!!!

• 

  fun to drive and great looking - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By Mattz - January 31 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Durango. I had a 98 and traded up to a 2003. I thought long and hard about this vehicle, and I just couldnt part with the truck. Great fun to drive, great looking, comfortable, and very little to dislike. Heads and shoulders above the competition.

• 

  2000 Neon - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By Neon #2 - January 30 - 5:03 pm

  I purchased this car last year. It only has 31,000 on it and was in excellent condition. I was originally looking for a newer car but this car was in our budget. I was vert leary at first having owned a 1996 model that fell apart at 70,000 miles. This difference in the models is great. The only problem we had with this car is an oil pan because a previous mechanic overtightened the drainbolt. We added a CD player and added BFGoodrich Traction TAs and it is great car. It gets over 30mpg. If you have owned a first generation model you will really be superised.