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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  Very Reliable - 2001 Dodge Durango
  By amby - August 30 - 8:48 am

  I have owned my Durango since August 2001 and have had nothing but good luck with it. I use it for running around town and long trips. I have had 5 adults with 2 sets of golf clubs and all the luggage for a two week holiday in the vehicle, and there is still room to spare. It runs well and has not caused me any major repairs.

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  New truck - 2006 Dodge Dakota
  By al - August 29 - 11:49 pm

  It is a very comfortable ride. Fun to drive. I use it everyday to and from work and errands. The side doors are very handy for the little ones to get in and out of the truck.

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  Wow - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By wow - August 29 - 4:57 pm

  Great auto, lots of power. Gas mileage is poor. Inside lots of cheap plastic. Rebuild the inside with premimum products,dont go cheap. Move the fuse box. My foot knocks off the fuse box door, that is a pain. The seat belt needs to be longer. I am a big guy. Change the instrument light to a more fun color have fun with inside lighting. Its a dream to drive, just need to upgrade the inside to have a real winner.

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  23,000 miles of joy and sorrow - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By goldenlion - August 29 - 10:18 am

  I have had my Magnum for almost 2 years now and have had a ball driving this car. I have had 2 bad and worse experiences concerning the front brakes. At 9000 miles the front rotors where replaced due to very bad pedal vibration. At 23k the vibration was back and the dealed wanted to charge me $180.00 to resurface the brakes. I replaced the rotors with Power slot rotors and CarQuest ceramic pads. The car stops much better than new and for about $600.00 in parts and an hour of my time my family is safe. Overall though, my experience with my Magnum is very positive. My overall fuel economy with the Hemi is about 25.25 highway and 19.2 city Not bad for an American V8 muscle car. Thanks Dr. "Z"

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  Never let you down. - 1996 Dodge Dakota
  By broadripple1 - August 28 - 4:55 pm

  I bought this truck on Ebay, and thought I got stuck with a lemon. The gas guage does not work, but on everything else, my initial impression was flat wrong. This vehicle is a low maintenance winner. It hauls everything (bricks, lawn tractor, boards, etc), including long distance, and other than the normal maintenance, I have not spent an extra dime on this truck in four years of ownership. Its simple to operate, and Ill keep it forever.

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  I Like It - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By Cypress Driver - August 28 - 2:49 pm

  Its been a great truck. There are times where I wish I had the 4.7 instead of the 5.9, but other than that, I cant complain. The only major problem Ive had with it was the transmission went out at around 60K. I took it to Powertrain Development and they told me it was most likely not assembled correctly at the factory because of the way it failed.

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  The dodge Neon SXT 5M - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By steve V - August 28 - 10:00 am

  This car gets me where i want to go. Its safe, stylish and fun to drive

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  Stratus - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By JennW - August 28 - 10:00 am

  Excellent choice of vehicle. Great for any family....very spacious backseat and trunk area.

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  OK but too pricey - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By Tom Clark - August 28 - 10:00 am

  After driving a Ford SHO for 10 years, this was about the only American car with stick shift. Its a bit of a disappointment--engine weak with poor acceleration, stick is smooth, interior appointments, even with leather, not first class, but rattle- free after 13,000 miles. For the $26K, its overpriced, and the headroom is the pits. Im only 57", but cant wear a baseball cap without dragging on the ceiling. Overall, an average performer in a dog-eat-dog world. I want American, but the options for real quality in the mid- 20s is seriously lacking across all brands.

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  2004 Dodge Durango - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By flail - August 28 - 10:00 am

  My family and i love this vehicle. we owned an Older GMC Suburban, a 1993 Plymouth Voyager and a 2002 Dodge Intrepid. We sold them and the Durango replaces them all.