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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  Sharpies SRT 4 - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Mommie Dearest - July 24 - 2:00 am

  My SRT 4 has lived up to my expectations. Ordinary driving I am getting about 24 MPG. However, zoomy driving it drops to under 20 rather quickly. I have had more people look at and comment about this car than any car I have ever owned (both young and old). I am 51 years old and I think it is fanastic! Its very compfortable, stylish, fast, feels safe and is just plain fun! No more worries about getting onto the interstate fron an onramp! Believe me!

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  Dakota Quad cab 4x4 slt plus W/4.7 mag 8 - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By Scarecrow - July 24 - 2:00 am

  I love this truck! I opted for the 4.7 magnum V8. It has plenty of power. But I whish it got a little better gas mileage. Maybe if it didnt have all wheele drive it would do a little better. Although I havent had it for a winter yet. I think I will be glad I got the all Wheel drive.

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  Dreamy Durango - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By vtzeta - July 22 - 2:00 am

  I purchased the Durango because of its body styling, power, and roominess. It offers tons of room for 5 adults and 1 car seat when the optional 3rd row is in position. Me and 6 of my friends took a road trip from VA to FL. It drove like a dream through mountainous terrain, rain, and snow for approx 2k miles. The only thing I dislike about the Durango is the "half" bench on the 3rd row of seats. Its not the most comfortable seat for 2k miles but for short distances it fills its purpose. With a full sized 3rd row, this would be the absolute best vehicle anyone could buy This is the best vehicle! Bravo Dodge!

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  Great truck - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By DerrickH - July 22 - 2:00 am

  I just smashed my dakota, I hit a person in the wrong at 45 mph. I walked away. I had a regular cab 4.7 v8 5spd with 3.92 and anti-spin. Cheap insurance and a truck that ran 14.8 in a quater mile stock! I will get another one since this one was totaled. No problems ever.;

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  My 1st compact truck in a decade! - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By Porsche4U - July 22 - 2:00 am

  My Dakota has the 4.7 engine and this "fuels" my only complaint. POOR gas mileage. Its even worse than my 2500HD Chevy truck with a 6 liter engine. We currently own a Mercedes 320, BMW M3, Porsche C4S and the Chevy mentioned above. My Dakota is as good as anything Ive got and lots of fun to drive. I will update this information as I accumulate miles and work on the gas mileage with less restrictive intake and exaust. For now I would definitely recommend this truck! PS: I had to rate "reliability" to be able to submit this review, but havent had it long enough to make true comments about this.

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  Ready for our 4th boy with the SXT - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By James H. - July 20 - 12:33 pm

  Have only had for 2 weeks but it looks like Dodge got it right. The stow & go is brilliant. Traded a 2001 Ford Windstar LX basically stripped. My SXT is loaded for the same price. Its great not to have to buy an aftermarket cd player and have the windows tinted. Both are standard w/3 zone climate control, 2 power sliders and power liftgate (only extra item $400). Its much quieter than the earlier Caravans. Having to move the seats all the way forward is a minor inconvenience to use the stow & go. It sure beats lugging them into the garage. Dodge reliability is always a concern but they can have their foreign minivans for $5k more. I dont want to pay $550/mo for a minivan.

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  Top Mini-van? - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Shawn Frankenhauser - July 18 - 2:00 am

  Anniversary Edition should come complete with ALL the toys. Isnt that why its a special edition. Lacking is the enhanced overhead features like optional horn beep to lock doors,daytime light on/off etc.,load leveling feature, I think the ES has all these other bells/whistles that would make the SXT Anniversary Edition a true Special Edt.

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  Awesome Sedan... - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Blackbullet - July 18 - 2:00 am

  Currently own an 04 in Electric Blue with the Sunroof and all I can say is I love it! The car is fast and can accelerate around corners real fast. After installing the Stage 1 ECU along with a Mopar Exhaust the car sounds like a beast and its only a 4 cylider. Also the Quaife LSD make a big difference, alot more power is tranferred to the wheels equally and you can grip the asphalt alot better. If your the type of person who will beat on the car and not keep up with the maintenance your better off getting a Kia, but if you like fast cars with Turbos, for the money you cant beat an SRT-4! 2003 Sport Compact Car of the Year!

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  the best van ever - 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By dodge awd - July 11 - 10:00 am

  dodge built the first minivan, and have continued to improve them and i believe has perfected it throught the years, reading the other ones on here, these always a bad apple in a batch, and maybe you got one, but over all they are the best looking, most advanced, and just the best van hands down.

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  Light it up - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Harry - July 10 - 11:53 am

  I havent had this much fun since my 64 GTO. This car has plenty of power, good handling characteristics and aint that hard on the eyes. Get in the throttle and youll see the muscle car heritage. Plus, its pretty comfortable. A little stiff, but thats what youre gonna need when you drive this brute through her paces. I think Dodge hit a home run with this car. Youre going to need a new tire "cookie jar" because when you talk to this one, she answers!