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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  Do It Durango - 2006 Dodge Durango
  By wbentt - September 16 - 11:33 pm

  I have had my new 06 Durango for three weeks now and love it. It is quiet like a limosine until you step on the gas and feel the incredible power of the Hemi. The interior is fantasitic. Dash is superb! Seats are really comfortable and power drivers seat standard. Yes! I bought this one without running boards and now see that I will have to order some. Its a long way up! The gas mileage is lower than expected, but the power will be great for pulling my motorcycle and trailer to TX every winter. The looks are OK. Havent got used to the front end yet but everything else makes it great! Front will grow on me. Crawled under and had a look. Now that is built tough, but rides great!

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  Pretty good car - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By joseph - September 16 - 11:06 am

  I recently bought my Neon SE and have taken 4 very long trips since. I am impressed with the quiet interior and the handling. Not a whole lot of power but then again you dont buy a Neon for power. In todays world with the rising cost of fuel and all other products, I think this vehicle is a smart and economical buy. Parts are cheap, gas mileage is good ( I get around 35-37 hwy, 28-30 city), and the warrenty by Chrysler is outstanding.

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  A lot of shopping - 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Robert H. - September 16 - 9:53 am

  I did a lot of shopping for this van and am well pleased. I got a great deal on the price [better than the websites suggested would be an excellent deal] and the dealership was one of the best I have ever dealt with. I realize you get what you pay for, and so many of the "convenience" items are missing from my van [power seats, power side doors and liftgate, dvd, etc.] but I decided I did not need them and they would only be something more to eventually break if I kept the van for a lengthy time. I am totally impressed with the bluetooth and satellite radio function, and the seats are tremendously comfortable. My biggest reason for purchasing Dodge was the price break and the stow and go seating. I have the room of a regular size pickup truck bed behind the front seats with all the seats folded into the floor and the seats are easily used or stowed in minutes. I can now take the bicycles on long trips with them being safely stored inside the van. The 283hp is plenty and it will accelerate to highway speedo very easily. Obviously a minivan will always look like a minivan, but the Dodge does have a certain rugged look about it with the black grill and crossbars.

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  Disappointed - 2005 Dodge Stratus
  By Annie - September 16 - 1:40 am

  Ive had this car for 11 months and it is currently at the dealership because I need a new engine at 20,000 miles. I am very disapointed since this is the first American car I have bought. I owned a 2003 Honda Civic prior to this, and I regret that I ever got rid of it to buy an American car. I wasnt even given a rental by the dealer. I wouldnt recommend this car to anyone. The worst part of it all, I am already upside down on my loan after 1 year. The depreciation of the value is astronomical. I just checked online and my 2003 Civic is worth more today than my 05 Stratus per Kelly Blue Book, go figure.

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  Impressed - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By DCJ - September 15 - 5:50 am

  Great car, first week I had it I took it on a 1100 mile trip; out performed the EPA sticker for gas mileage. Even in a 35 mph headwind I was able to get 24 mpg and 28 mpg after the wind died down. Love the large cabin, some friends rode with me and they couldnt believe the leg room. This car doesnt look that spacious but WOW. I expected it to have about 4" of backseat legroom like the Mustang, but very comfortable for my guests to ride in without feeling cramped in the back. I traded in a Audi A4 for this and I will never go back to a small cramped car again.

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  OMG Automatic - 1990 Dodge Daytona
  By Hunter - September 15 - 1:03 am

  This car has been very good to me other then the usual replacements on a used car with 160,000 miles. But I happened to get the automatic, which lets just say all should stay away from, because once one thing goes, it all goes as I found out. The speed stinks. It takes about 1/4-3/8 of a mile to get to 55mph. All the engine and transmission gaskets are leaking, the floor pans are all gone under both passenger and drivers feet, and the supports through the floor pans are broke and about gone.

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  Cheap ride - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By sledhead - September 14 - 8:10 pm

  my wife loves the vehicle, but have had issue after issue since driving it off the lot. transmission rattles 35-50 MPH, it cant seem to find the right gear. almost feels like youre driving a standard shift while in the wrong gear. wheel and seats shake during acceleration. also had multiple oil leaks, pulling to the right, a brake problem, and multiple rattles. local dealers have been great and acknowledge the problems, but Chrysler has been useless. i feel like were the dodge test pilots. multiple visits and rentals are getting old. would not recommend buying this or any other Chrysler product until they learn how to treat there customers. have filed lemon law with local dealers help.

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  unreliable - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By jeff sanders - September 14 - 7:23 pm

  both front brakes went at 21000 miles. both tie rods replaced once under warrenty . at 22000 miles went again. replaced with after- market ones.paid out of pocket as I did not want to keep putting junk back on. transmission seal leaked at 26000 miles. dealer asked if i wanted to replace transmission oil and filter while seal was replaced under warrenty. 150.00 bucks out of pocket and I was back on road. (oil and filter) check engine light on at 28000 miles. ekg valve. no warrenty. 220 bucks later back on the road. still have two years left payments to dodge. have not spent a nickle in repairs to my 1999 toyota 4 runner during the same period. dodge will not get another nickle out of me.

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  Dont let bad apples ruin your taste - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By kelcan - September 14 - 5:46 pm

  I bought my Stratus in the summer of 2004. It was a fleet vehicle. Which meant to me that it was basically a rental and we all know what people do to rentals. Nevertheless, I got it for a great deal. Although the car is a base model with a few add-ons, its quickly become one of my favorite places to hang out. Ive heard people complain about bad trannies in these cars, and there is some truth to the statment in that Dodge in general has unrealiable trannies, not specific to the Stratus. Furthurmore, if you buy from the dealer, the car comes with a great powertrain warranty. In every car company there are lemons, but my Dodge is a peach.

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  The original is still the best. - 1990 Dodge Caravan
  By Vince - September 14 - 8:30 am

  We dont drive this vehicle except for church and on longer trips. It is now sixteen years old, and I expect that we could very well keep it until it can wear antique tags. I have been through many other vehicles since we bought the Caravan, and none of them have been such a pleasure to drive in a relaxed manner. No it is not a race vehicle, but with the 3.3, getting on the highway even at sixteen going on seventeen model years old, it still can merge onto highways without hesitation or causing others to slow down. I wouldnt trade it for a friends Honda minivan even if he threw in an extra $5000.