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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  Our New Dodge - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By pbssheltie - May 19 - 6:23 pm

  We owned a 2001 durango and just traded up. We love the new 2005 model. It has a smoother ride and much more luxury feel. We have the limited edition and I would recommend it highly.

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  mostly positive - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By dimples052000 - May 19 - 2:00 am

  I purchased a 2003 sxt 4 door in october. I havent had any problems with the car. The gas mileage really needs to be worked on. I have a friend who drives a 1995 neon and she gets better gas mileage than me. Even the chevy cavys got better gas mileage. The car handles curves and turns like a dream.

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  My Dodge Dakota - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By Mark - May 17 - 2:26 pm

  This truck has it all in one versatile package. I can haul 4 adults, a load in the bed and tow a large boat at the same time comfortably. I get decent fuel economy, 18 to 19 mpg in mixed driving but I stick to posted speeds mostly. My kids love the DVD system and the stereo is kicking.

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  Perfect so far - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By cometogene - May 17 - 9:23 am

  Bought it sight unseen for sticker price when they first came out. Never even drove one, but I figured how could I go wrong for the price. Man was I right. Smokes almost everything on the road for $20K! Best purchase I ever made.

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  Loving it - 2005 Dodge Stratus
  By Jennifer - May 17 - 12:40 am

  I got my car an year ago and I love it so much. I only had one problem with it. Thats when my tranmission went out in it. But I didnt have to pay an cent to get it fixed. Its so much fun to drive and anyone who rides with me loves it as much as me.

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  Great car for the money! - 2006 Dodge Stratus
  By nightram - May 16 - 3:57 pm

  I have owned this car for about a month now, and it is great! I have really no complaints about it. I have had many cars in my day, but this one take the cake so far. It is a smooth ride, handles nice, and lloks good. Even the SXT looks sporty, and it is very nicely equipped for the money you pay. The only gripe I have is the weird shift it has every once in a while, but no car is ever perfect.

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  Love it - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By sxtawdguy - May 15 - 10:14 pm

  Very comfortable and smooth ride. A good compromise between German technology and American way of building comfortable cars. CanÂ’t wait to try it in snow and ice.

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  Dont Like It - 2002 Dodge Caravan
  By R Bishop - May 15 - 4:44 pm

  Vehicle was fine at first. Had to replace something for the air conditioner and you can not replace just the compressor you have to replace all the parts that go with it. Had to replace water pump twice. Had to replace front right tie rod. The back latch has not worked since I bought it. No big deal I could use my key. Now the lock for the latch does not work and I cannot get in the back. The check engine light comes on occasionally. This had something to do with the gas cap. On two occasions my lights went out when I was driving and the defrosters kicked on without having them on. Now the transmission has something wrong with it the mechanic says. I will never buy a Caravan again.

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  A terrific car that endured a hard life - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By Dave - May 15 - 12:32 pm

  This was one of the most fun, well-balanced cars out there if you got a stick-shift. The automatic turned it into an econobox, but with the stick, it was a really well-balanced car for fun driving. Great mileage, an interior about the size of a Camry, and total reliability even though we had it running mainly on NYC and Jersey City streets really impressed us.

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  RT traded for SRT-8 - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By MassMagnum - May 15 - 5:41 am

  I bought my RT almost 2 years ago. I saw it, drove it, and had to have it. I have loved everything about it. Everyday driveing it has been perfect. As for hauling, I put 8 6ft banquet tables and 20 folding chairs in the back. (Yes, in one load) Only down side is snow performance but you cant have everything. She has great style, comfort, usefullness, power, breaking,cornering and reliablity.