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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  Disappointed - 1997 Dodge Stratus
  By Thomas Palmer - April 3 - 2:39 pm

  A/C drive shaft broke at 60,000 miles. $758 repair. Timing gears, bellt and tensioner broke at 79,321. Head gasket blown at 79,321 miles. Transmission kaput at 79,321 miles. Cranshaft oil seals leaaking at 60,000 miles. Est $4200 to repair. Will junk this car because Blue Book is only $1200. Very, very disappointed with the drivetrain of this lemon.

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  Great for the price - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Patrick - April 2 - 11:18 pm

  The power-to-weight ratio is great. I replaced the air filter with a K&N direct replacement, then pulled the OEM exhaust off and added a Flowmaster 30 series exhaust, and brought the intake air temperature readings down by 4.7k-ohms. The result? Basically, I bought a new 04 Neon, and added the $135 in parts above to it, and now I get about 40 mpg on 89 octane, not to mention the fact that I can run a 15.7 in the quarter-mile. The power/economy side of this car is very attractive. The interior is roomy for a compact, but not too flashy. The ride is comfortable and handling is tight. The external body lines are somewhat outdated, but acceptable, Overall, this is a great car for the money.

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  Good overall package but... - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By JimBobBillyJo - April 2 - 3:50 pm

  I bought the Nitro for the great styling, high standard feature content, and room inside. After 3 days the satellite radio quit, took 4 weeks to replace the antenna, worked 5 days and quit again. Throttle response is horrible, push the gas and wait 1 second then it revs, makes it very hard to modulate with manual transmission which is unacceptable for a computer controlled engine. It reminds me of my old slant 6 Volare. Engine pulls willingly, but doesnt seem like 210 horsepower, gas mileage not quite up to rated but close. Engine rough and a bit noisy, not up to todays standard of refinement. Center console too wide, nowhere to put your feet but under the pedals.

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  Almost 2 yrs later, 2nd review - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Sharon S - April 2 - 1:26 pm

  Well, It will be 2 yrs in June 2006 that I have owned this car. I love it still. I have not had any problems mechanically with it what so ever. It runs great.Does very well in snow and rain. Glad I purchased it. Will buy another one in the future.Good job Dodge!

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  Love my 99 Dakota - 1999 Dodge Dakota
  By DakotaLover - April 1 - 3:36 pm

  I bought this truck used recently, with about 109K on the odometer. The truck had been well cared-for, with a clean interior and immaculate exterior. With high mileage on the odometer, my plan was to replace most front-end parts as wear would be typical, and I did so. I now have very tight steering. Ive serviced all filters, and flushed/replaced all lubricants in the A/T and transfer case, even the power steering system. My hope is to get at least another 100K out of her before considering another vehicle. This one was just too clean to pass up, out on the lot!

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  Eh... honest review - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Greg - April 1 - 2:40 am

  Ive driven Chrysler my entire life, as my father is a employee, this is the first time I need to write a not so great review. The common repairs in here are on par with mine, mygig replaced, windshield wind noise fixed, and sliding doors fixed. Since the first week i have been complaining about the brake noise. But whats really bugging me is the engine hiss/whine. Those Yokohama tires stink, had to change them after 30,000 miles.

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  SRT-4 - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By kc9id - April 1 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive! Awesome power that requires some skill to maximize. Handling is excellent with a touch of understeer. Finish and fit seems to be very good. This is not a quiet car to drive. It sounds like it runs, fast! I did not find the exhaust to be objectionable after a 1500 mile drive returning from Florida where I purchased it.

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  Great Van, best Ive owned - 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By ZakS - April 1 - 2:00 am

  I have compared and tested a lot of vans and this one by far has the highest quality out of the domestics. Its gas mileage, acceleration, and ergonomics are excellent. I would recommend this over any other vans.

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  bEST CAR i HAVE EVER OWNED - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By joeslo - March 31 - 11:26 pm

  I cant believe Chrysler is thinking of doing away with this vehicle. This is the best car I have ever owned. I was always a GM person, being retired from there. But Gm cant come close to the Journey for the same price. Their Travers costs about $10,000 more than the Journey. The excutives better rethink their decision to deep six the Journey. maybe they should do away with the Nitro and the Jeep Patriot instead of the Journey. If they do go ahead and discontinue the Journey I can see why the are the most disfunctional car company in the world. Maybe they should fire some of the excutives that are making these decisions. Why dont they advertise this gem instead their lousy trucks.

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  Dodges = Fun to Look at... Bad to Own - 2001 Dodge Stratus
  By cwy - March 30 - 5:57 pm

  Love Dodge styling overall and have owned several Dodges over the years. Had a 6cyl 2001 Stratus ES for almost a year but experienced constant overheating problem, steering problems, and ball joint replacements. This was a "certified" used car from a Dodge dealership. Had a 98 ES also with almost no problems in aver 75K miles but this one was a bust. Also had two Caravans which experienced ATX problems and various brake and lesser interior fit and finish issues... going to Toyota and Honda... mmmm...but must resist Dodge nice styling and innovative features (Charger/Magnum/300...etc)