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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  Happy Journey - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Cameron - March 13 - 12:06 pm

  I now have 15,000km on my dodge journey SE. So far, so good. The 4 banger is not that powerful but I did get it for the gas mileage (which is great on highway!). Still has pick-up and I dont find it too noisey. Curious how it will be long term though. I am happy with the Journey and will let you all know if problems start.

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  rev1 - 1998 Dodge Durango
  By jv - March 12 - 12:31 pm

  My wife just loves the truck, it is powerful and fun to drive, and it hs all the safety features she neds.

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  BEST CAR EVER - 1995 Dodge Stealth
  By ult guy - March 12 - 5:30 am

  Extremly nice ride, Its AWD destroys all cars, i whoop Supra Twin Turbos in my Stealth RT.. i suggest this car 100%

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  intrepid98 - 1998 Dodge Intrepid
  By randyc - March 11 - 11:15 pm

  good pickup, good gas milage.fun to drive

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  Great Vechicle - 2001 Dodge Durango
  By rcr - March 11 - 2:38 pm

  Best Buy for your money plus 1.9% financing for 5 years.

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  Happy with my Neon - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By Happy-Neon - March 10 - 11:11 pm

  I purchased my neon new, Ive had it 7 years and it has 115,000+ miles. Ive changed to oil religiously and only last year I had to replace the breaks, and head gasket. Hey, what the heck the car has been very good to me, gets great gas mileage, rides smoothly, and it is fun. I have a 4 door, with sunroof and spoiler on the back so it looks sporty. I have been very happy with my NEON!

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  grat car - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By david/greenberg - March 10 - 5:03 pm

  we love our neon. it has a great cd player. the feachers are easy to use. i love my neon.

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  This car keeps on going and going ...... - 1997 Dodge Stratus
  By Eddybauer1 - March 8 - 1:44 am

  I bought this car new in 1996, all I have done to it was change the oil, replace tires as needed and put gas in it, during the last few months I had the brakes done, and had the timing belt replaced, and the oil pressure sending unit started leaking oil, all after 130,000 miles, it gets awesome gas mileage, 35 mpg in town and 40 mpg on the highway. The car it handles like it is on rails, alot of fun to drive.

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  Awesome - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By benneyoboy - March 8 - 12:33 am

  This car was such a good and cool car, I love it. I have a big family and this car fits my family just right. Wow this car is such a good car. I the seats have such a great design and my kids can play cards and be happy on longs trip because of the great room. This car is the only car that i have had fits all my groceries in. I am writing this review about this car because it is as awesome car, very safe, and with the lifetime warranty, I love this car it will last.

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  THIS CAR IS AWESOME, A PERFECT 10!!! - 2001 Dodge Intrepid
  By ANNIE17 - March 7 - 9:05 pm

  My fiancee and I just purchased a new 2001 Dodge Intrepid SE, and let me be the first to say what a wonderful choice we made! Not only is the car gorgeous, it handles like a sports car, pulls like a truck, runs like a dream, and definitely catches peoples eyes! We are sooooooo happy with this vehicle.