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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  Best SUV - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By DEPAULCREW - October 19 - 8:36 pm

  Most incredible ride I have ever had from an SUV. Rides like a Cadillac. Handles great. Hemi has plenty of power, and fuel mileage is what you should expect. In general we get 16.5 mpg. But just highway driving at 70 mph with cruise we get 21 mpg. Thats pretty darn good. Also, it tows our 8800 lb boat fine as far as power is concerned, but we had to add air bags inside the coil springs to get more weight to the front axle for better handling. Dodge should offer an airbag suspension leveling system like some other manufacturers. With 23,000 miles now we have had no problems and no complaints.

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  Great Buy - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By gwashy - October 19 - 7:41 am

  I bought this vehicle for the utility of a truck, but what I got was a vehicle that handles great and has been a great buy for the money. Outside of a recall on the ball joints, I have not had any issues at all. A highly reliable vehicle that handles/performs well and is sporty. The V6 engine has plenty of get up and go and proves to have plenty of torque with a bed full of anything. The interior is comfortable, but can feel a bit "cheap". The interior components tend to move around in the assembled condition and do not fit snugly. Also, the dash features feel hollow and do not give a robust feel. With the interior my only concern, I am quite satisfied and would buy it again anyday.

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  Just a nice vehicle - 2005 Dodge Caravan
  By Bud in Fla - October 18 - 2:25 pm

  I have had this vehicle for about 7 months now. It is just a very practical, easy to drive vehicle. It is great to haul a lot of people, and the stow and go seating is amazing. We bought the vehicle because we only have one vehicle now that we have retired, and this one can haul a bunch of stuff and then convert and we can drive 6 or 7 people to dinner. Love the nav system. The only complaint I have is the front cup holders. They could have done a much better job on those. I would love for it to get a little better gas mileage, but the big six does perform well. Looked at the Honda and Kia and bought this one much cheaper. Would love for them to add roll down windows for the 2nd row passengers

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  Fun at a small price - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By mbiker4u - October 18 - 10:43 am

  Ive been looking for a car like this since I bought the 1994/1995 Neon. I remember prototype turbocharged Neons that were in Car and Driver that must have evolved in to the SRT-4. I bought this car after a friend of mine took me for a ride in his red SRT- 4. I went to the dealer 1 week later and got the Orange Blast w/ACR package. I was not really crazy about the color, but it has grown on me so far. So far, build quality, performance, and overall enjoyment has made this purchase one of my favorite cars ever. Gas mileage has only been 22mpg at highway speeds below 80mph, but what do you expect from a car that can out-perform most V-8s?

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  Dodge Magnum SRT8 - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By charlie - October 17 - 6:50 pm

  This car has great power, great styling, and gets pretty good gas mileage, but it rides like a Caddy and handles like a Vette. The thing I like about this car is that it seats 5 and has plenty of cargo room. I was a little afraid to buy it ,but once I drove it, and my wife drove it, I realized I made the right choice

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  I want out! - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By Bman - October 17 - 3:26 pm

  All in all, its decent. I should have never leased. Having a quad cab pickup has come in handy a few times. I think the transmission shifts funny, but another guy at work says his does the same thing. Basically it gets poor fuel mileage and its as heavy as a tank. Paint on the bed rails is bad. There are lines in the paint underneath the clearcoat. Door moulding is falling off. Took in for first oil change, service guy said I had a rear axle seal leak. this was at 2800 miles. They never called me back to tell me the part was in. Cheap and boring interior. But " I had to have it!" Terrible acceleration unless your foot is to the floor.

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  Coupe competition - 1999 Dodge Neon
  By Troopx3 - October 15 - 11:32 pm

  The Neon is fast, but my fuel economy is bad. Other than that, the car is excellent. For a small car, it is roomy and comfortable.

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  Great Buy, Excellent Features. - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Platinum Buyer - October 15 - 4:16 am

  Great van. I extended the warranty on my van when we brought it because it was used and had 5,000 miles on it. I have brought it in for some engine and transmission issues but thank goodness it was under warranty still a little concerning for a relatively new car. My advice if you intend to keep any vehicle past 3 years get the extended warranty. At least it is a good resale feature.

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  Spirts rock - 1994 Dodge Spirit
  By Mopar man - October 14 - 11:21 am

  We have had this car for many years now. It rarely breaks down and is a great car to drive. its one of the best cars we have ever owned. We will run it till it dies. Plus its so awesome a car, we plan on buying another one to drive too.

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  Journey into Hell - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Journey into hell - October 14 - 11:20 am

  Bought a used 2009 SXT Journey with 11,000 miles on it 6 weeks ago. Last week, the tranny locked up and it has been at the dealership ever since. Boast Dodge in Bradenton, Fl. After many delays, false hope, and mising parts, I am 11 days still with no car. Chrysler provides no loaner or rental, even though the dealerships are overstocked with new and used cars. I contacted the dealership, the general manager, and the Chrysler hotline, all give me the run around. Buyer beware, this is a first year car, plauged with problems, and a company who may not make it till 2010. Do your research before the purchase, if its a good deal, theres bound to be a reason.