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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  2000 Dodge Neon - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By Jonathan Hoffman - August 24 - 2:00 am

  This car has been very reliable, and also fun to drive. I cant say one bad thing about this car. It gets good gas milage too!

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  durango 5.9l engine - 2001 Dodge Durango
  By dbbb - August 24 - 2:00 am

  lots of function, great acceleration, best suv there is no doubt about it, and thats 15 words or more

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  The Muscle car for Women - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Kim Sampson - August 24 - 12:36 am

  Hello, I am a 47yr old woman who has gone totally overboard with this car. I have never been a car head and I have to say I am now. I love my Charger. It is totally the womans muscle car. I have the R/T Hemi, added a few of my own things. Added a little bling with some 22in chrome platinum wheels titled "sweetness" of which they are. Every day when I get in my car and turn up the tunes and hit the road. It just starts my day out great. I know this sounds way over the top for a woman my age, but you never know untill you feel the power of a Hemi and with the added Bling its even more beutiful. I love this car.

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  Stow n Go Sold Me! - 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Kristen E. - August 23 - 10:00 am

  Having a DGC with the stow n go feature is like having two vehicles. In less than 30 seconds my 7-passenger kid-hauler turns into a very roomy and practical cargo-van. In fact, I can pack more in this van than I could in a un-covered pick-up truck! It is designed to fit a 4x8 sheets of material! Bravo, Chrysler. The fact that this van is stylish, very roomy, comfortable and competitively priced is just icing on the cake. There are so many seating/hauling possibilities! The fuel economy is not stellar, but its better than a truck, and I find it much more useful. The tranny in mine was jerky at first, but after 2500 miles it shifts smooth as silk. The under floor storage is impressive too!!

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  R/T - 2001 Dodge Intrepid
  By dkr - August 23 - 2:00 am

  My R/T has been an excellent car! No problems to this point. Routine service except the entire exhaust was replaced due to a buzz/whine/rattle in one of the mufflers/resonators. Loads of space for my family of 3, and still good power and sportiness.

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  Best truck Ive owned - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By CEO - August 23 - 2:00 am

  Great ride , great fun to drive (get the 4.7L V8) Milage so-so , but as a mid size tow vehical.. the best , Take a ride in all the others , then save the best for last , this way you can drive it home !

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  I love my Dodge - 1998 Dodge Stratus
  By Christina Salem, Ore - August 22 - 2:00 am

  This was the only kind of car I wanted when my husband and I set out to buy a new family car. A couple of my friends also owned Dodge Stratuss. I enjoyed both driving thiers, and riding. I wanted something big enough, and reliable to drive my family in, without looking like a "den mother". Taking into consideration the apperance and dependability of Dodge Stratus there was no choice. I LOVE MY DODGE STRATUS.

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  Great van - 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Not my first rodeo - August 21 - 5:16 pm

  We bought it new in 98, it now has 179k on it with only the normal maintenance. The local Grease Monkey franchise flushed the transmission at 120k and cracked the lines which blew out all the fluid while on a trip to Nashville. Time for a new tranny at my expense as they accepted no blame even though they admitted theyd cracked the lines. Go figure that one. Only complaint is the headlights dont put out a lot of light, otherwise everything has worked since day one. Id recommend the Caravan to anyone.

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  I love this car! - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By melann - August 21 - 4:30 pm

  I have wanted this car ever since they came out. My very first car was a 1984 Dodge Charger, a far cry from this bad baby, but you know, I am sentimental. This is one of the most awsome cars because you can have power and still have a family car. It handles so well. The smoothness of driving is a pleasureable experience. I originally wanted the SXT model for the extra gas mileage, but my husband said I would be made fun of to have a car like that with the 6 cylinder motor. I think he just wanted that HEMI. Well, I am glad I listened to him. I love the HEMI. I love this car!

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  Neon Sport - 1999 Dodge Neon
  By jeffersonmin - August 19 - 2:00 am

  No problems to date with this car. The interior on the Sport is so much more comfortable than the more basic models. Can do at least 110 MPH (DOHC engine in mine)if you want it to.