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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  Fantastic - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By Brian1330 - August 19 - 2:00 am

  This is a great truck to drive. It has the power and the looks. I drove several trucks before buying the Dakota, and I couldnt beat the room. For the same price as a compact truck why not buy the midsize Dakota. You wouldnt be sorry.

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  Nice family truck..and the V8 rocks! - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By Allwirl - August 19 - 2:00 am

  I had a Chevy..many problems. Then I got a Ram Quad 1500, it was nice, but sooo tight in the garage. This (not so) little Dakota is the perfect size for a family man who doesnt tote a lot of lumber anymore. Kids love the backseat, Mom loves the size, and Daddy loves the V8! The V6 seemed sluggish, and the V8 downright hauls butt. I actually got the V8 cheaper than I could have gotten the V6...go figure. From my past experience with the Ram, I know there is quality. I had minor problems, but dealership and Dodge excell in customer service. GOTTA GETTA DODGE!!!

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  130,000 miles and its time to go - 1998 Dodge Dakota
  By Randall - August 18 - 2:00 am

  Well, with a baby now and not enough room in the ext. cab for it its time for a quad cab. My truck has been put threw hard driving and just loves to work. What is going on with the ball joints? Replaced every 30k miles. bottoms are beefy but the tops are like a golf ball. Too bad you need to break the bottoms to replace the tops. When i nigotiate my new price, I will want a 100k mile warrentee on the ball joints. Would I recomend this truck to someone? Answer...yes

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  Great Upgrade! - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By bltkate - August 18 - 2:00 am

  I had a 2000 Dakota and loved that truck. This is a great step up on features and performance. We have done a lot of looking around at the other SUVs out there and this was still my first choice. The trade off between features and gas economy was no sacrifice compared to the other SUVs. Very stable in the curves and on rouph roads. Lots of room inside.

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  happy! - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By realbub - August 18 - 2:00 am

  Nothing but a joy

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  2002 Dodge Stratus SE Plus - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By FreddieGN - August 17 - 2:00 am

  It is not my vehicle but my brother owns a 2002 Dodge Stratus SE Plus! I love this car. Doing 60 on the highway feels more like 30! It has great fuel economy. He has it in Stone White with Dark Slate Gray Cloth. The back seat is comfortable enough for 2 adults and a 5 feet tall 12 year old. Perfect legroom in front and back!

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  Reliable and fun to drive - 1998 Dodge Avenger
  By matt98 - August 16 - 2:00 am

  I had the 5 speed Inline 4 cyl engine. I never had any problems with the car, but only kept it for 3 years and 57,000 miles. Nice low aggressive stance that took turns at an aggressive speed.

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  Absolutely Love It!! - 2001 Dodge Stratus
  By jarenkad - August 14 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car because I needed something reliable, economical, yet not to "corny" looking...and I have not been disappointed in any aspect. I do a lot of driving and I plan to trade the one I have for a 2002. Not a bad word to say about it...I had been broadsided and the car was strong enough that I came out with nothing more than a bruised knee...Id recommend one to anybody...and I already am responsible for someone else buying one...I LOVE IT!!!

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  The car Ive been waiting for - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By hemimama - August 13 - 11:30 pm

  The first time I saw the Magnum on TV I wanted it. The first time I drove the RT I bought it. Im 50 years old. I am thrilled by this car. The response is incredible. The power is impressive. It handles so well on the curves that you dont have to brake unless you are afraid. It takes a mountain pass like most cars go downhill. When I put pedal to metal it jumps like a 67 Camaro. Roadtrips are great. I love this car. I want muscle, but I need a station wagon. I am so happy with my RT that I no longer mourn my 67 Cutless w/the 350 and turbo 300 that some jerk in a Bravado creamed 6 years ago.

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  What a fun car! - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By alfonso - August 13 - 1:50 am

  The wife and I were going to buy an SUV, but we saw the TV ads and looked at it and fell in love. If your going to buy it, get the Hemi. its got all the room of an SUV, but the style is in a league of its own!!!