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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  Great car, fun to drive - 1997 Dodge Neon
  By Bfett4eva - March 17 - 3:50 pm

  Only simple repairs needed. Very reliable. I liked the Neon so much I bought another.

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  WHAT A CAR!!!!! - 1995 Dodge Stealth
  By JOHNNY - March 17 - 2:40 pm

  I purchased this car at the end of summer 2002 and I have to admit this car is a masterpeice! I have never driving a car like this and I have prevoisly owned a 92 corvette and 90 camaro. Ive seen specs where this car is faster then a 911 turbo in the 60. The Stealth TT is all around the most comfortable, most affortable, and the most attractive car for the money. The AWD and 4ws systems compliment the car in hard turns and passing, and when those twin turbos kick in ... hummm HOLD ON!!! and when it comes to maintainance prices ... well lets just say its a bit more then a grandprix and much less then a vette. I rate this car 5+/5 on road and track.

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  Makes merging fun! - 2001 Dodge Stratus
  By Scotty1 - March 17 - 4:24 am

  It sucks up the gas... perhaps its my driving style. I believe specs are 17 mpg, I concur. All leather interior, 7 infinity speakers, 4 cd changer, 17" polished wheels, sunroof, 200hp. Rear view mirror fades the lights of the traffic I pass. Fast and sporty and new enough on the market to get "thumbs up" from pedestrians while parking at the grocery store. Merging onto traffic is a delight. Steering while in turbo makes me concentrate more, as it is front wheel drive and has special tracking making the front wheels fight against eachother for traction. But I got used to it.

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  Great vehicle - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By cvos - March 17 - 2:00 am

  Owned for three years and I am deciding if I want to buy it at the end of the lease. I have had no problems or unusual maintance. Would highly recommend the vehicle from 0 to 40,000 miles we shall see on the next 40,000.

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  Total reliability - 2001 Dodge Caravan
  By bettyg - March 17 - 1:04 am

  We are retirees and wanted the room that is offered in the front of the minivan. We had a T & C LX which we traded in on this caravan sport. We did not want he extra length. We tumble the rear seats and have plenty of storage. Just last weekend we had luggage for 4 and after arriving at our destination and unloading luggage, we flipped the seats up and took two more people with us. That was the first time I had ridden in the rear seat. I was surprised at how comfortble it was! The person sitting beside me was equally impressed. This van is very versatile. We have had NO PROBLEMS with it. It has 10,200 miles and only oil and filter changed Not even one minor problem!

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  ES is Best - 1998 Dodge Stratus
  By JH - March 16 - 9:50 pm

  My 98 Stratus ES has been a great all-around car. The ride in the ES is much better than the 97 SE that we have. Only complaint is the front cup holder.

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  Dodge intrepid - 1994 Dodge Intrepid
  By Lydiadh - March 16 - 4:38 am

  so far this vehicle seems to have a problem with the air conditioning unit....it seems to be an ongoing problem with this car, not sure if it is a regular problem with this type and year of vehicle.

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  GREAT CAR....... NO POWER THOUGH - 1995 Dodge Avenger
  By djbubsy - March 14 - 10:34 am

  i have had no problems yet other than a new air filter needed so far

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  Ralphs Intrepid - 1996 Dodge Intrepid
  By R.Ralph - March 13 - 4:59 pm

  Very Good experience

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  Best car after Viper! - 1995 Dodge Stealth
  By jetblackrt - March 13 - 2:40 pm

  The car is a classic! I owned it and love it! Build quality is next to perfect, all panels lined by mm. Everything works, engine sounds like V10 to learn more about this car visit www.3si.org or www.stealth316.com