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:

• 

  1990 Daytona ES Turbo - 1990 Dodge Daytona
  By Brian21 - August 12 - 2:00 am

  This is a 1990 ES Turbo. It has the 2.5L 4 cyl Turbo with the 5 speed manual. This really kicks it. 7 second 0-60. I havent had the time yet to see what it can really do though. I just got it home. Its in good shape for the year, interior is Excellent, but the paint peeled and rust formed (which I will fix). Nothing rusted through. And I paid only $750 for this car! with only 92,000 Miles on it! This was a great deal and I couldnt pass it up. I love to drive it, its fast and fun. It has the infinity Sound system in it, that rocks too. This will be the best car that I have ever owned.

• 

  mustang eater - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By xturbos4x - August 12 - 2:00 am

  awsome car and very fun to drive if u know how to

• 

  Great Car - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By LuDäCRis - August 12 - 2:00 am

  I got this car about a month ago and it is GREAT! It drives nice and feels nice. Overall a great car!

• 

  there are no problems to Dodge - 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By fan of Grand Caravan - August 11 - 10:00 am

  I recently purchased a new Dodge Grand Caravan for about $20,000, with the key fob. It is clearly the best minivan. The only options aside of the standard features were the Power Convenience Group, Deluxe Convenience Group, CD player with cassette, and Rear Window Defroster. This van has many great features like the cupholders, stereo, and excellent air conditioning. The fuel economy is also great for a van. I fail to see why this vans twin (Town & Country) placed only fourth in Edmunds Minivan Comparison Test.

• 

  great car - 1990 Dodge Daytona
  By rod - August 10 - 2:00 am

  i got mine for 300 from a really nice friend and i got it painted black with 2 yellow racing stripes rebuilt the engine and added some horses to it. the only reason i rebuilt the enngine was for the bad valve seals the car sat in one spot for like 5 years and even after that with a new battery it started right up but with lots of smoke i love this car its so fun they never have any problems that ive noticed after you work on them a little bit thats not even needed most of the time i just have lots of time to do stuff with it

• 

  This car ROCKS - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By loudneon - August 9 - 2:00 am

  Wow what to say. I love my Neon. I ordered it with the DOHC and 5 speed. Best car I have. Buy one. Give it a turbo and suspension drop, then go kick some honda butt. Buy the DOHC not the SOHC. Never had a head gasket problem. I run it hard everyday too. 60mph 5500rpm in third gear hard around corners. Kicked my brothers 96 Avenger to the curb.

• 

  love my avenger! :) - 1996 Dodge Avenger
  By osubkys - August 9 - 2:00 am

  Overall a great car. Black is a litt hard to keep clean though!! But I LOVE IT!

• 

  great car - 2001 Dodge Intrepid
  By stinger - August 9 - 2:00 am

  Best car Ive owned-prettiest too.

• 

  Awesome! - 2001 Dodge Durango
  By durangoman - August 9 - 2:00 am

  Im very happy with my Durango. I have a 2001 SLT 4WD. LOADED! I love the power and the new interior design. I dont care for the 2WD body style that is why I chose to get the beefier front end on the 4WD. Ive had no major problems. In fact the only problem that I do have is with the power door locks. While the engine is running the locks will occasionally begin rapidly locking and unlocking on their own.

• 

  Its my baby - 1998 Dodge Dakota
  By Akula - August 8 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Dodge in Dec of 1997 and have loved it. tons of room inside and lots of places to put stuff. Never had any major problems with it and have over 80,000 as of 08/02.