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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  Solid Truck - 1992 Dodge Dakota
  By MOtorPARts - March 12 - 5:22 pm

  If youre looking for a great truck, find one of these! Mine has well over 300,000 miles and is as solid and reliable as most new trucks. The only cons I can think of is not much to the interior for room and with my standard cab. Hauls and tows like a full-size. Dodge made sure they had a great truck before they put their name on it!

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  Recall after recall - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By kdan - March 12 - 2:00 am

  We have had recall after recall on the 08. Eats brakes and is very clunky inside. MPG is bad and we are luck to get 20 on HY and 17 in town. I wish I had spent more money on a Honda. I also own a Dodge Stratus and will trade that in for anything but a Dodge. Not a quality company.

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  A must have for big family w/ big boat! - 2006 Dodge Durango
  By JBIII - March 11 - 9:57 pm

  Traded my 2001 Durango for 2006 limited w/ Hemi engine. I have a family of 5 that needs to tow almost 9000 pounds. This is the vehicle to do that. It also has the best fold flat third row seat of any mid size SUV. So simple, seats 3 in the rear bench with 3 headrests and 3 shoulder harnesses. Can be folded or raised from outside the vehicle. Ride quality is so much improved over the old style. Very safe SUV for the family and the rear DVD/CD player is awesome for the kids. They can switch between a DVD,CD,Sat Radio,AM/FM, or MP3 discs. Power liftgate is great! CONS: Needs rear view camera system like Nissan Armada,no dual zone climate control, legs hit running board upon exit/entry.

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  Poor quality build, lackluster drive - 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By cmac - March 11 - 7:06 pm

  This is a kind of no frills Grand Caravan that retails for around 25k. The drivers window sticks, you have to slam almost every door for them to shut properly. You can actually see how things dont line up around the door seams. It handles very stiffly. It has a nice design inside and out but the plastic inside makes it cheap looking. This is a company car and it will be put through its paces. The tranny wont hold on a hill, it rolls backward. The driver seat is very uncomfortable. I got caught in the snow and it slid around like a big sled. I was actually very concerned i would wind up in a ditch. I wont take it out in the snow again. Seems a bit underpowered.

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  Invigorating Intrepid - 1998 Dodge Intrepid
  By Karl Becker - March 10 - 12:11 pm

  The most recent 4 vehicles of my wifes and mine have been Chrysler products so I looked for another when someone rammed my Dodge Stratus (that I drove for 218,000 miles). I was able to find this Intrepid through the AutoTrader.com link from Edmunds while I was evaluating a Dodge Neon.The Intrepid is a remarkably smooth riding vehicle, especially considering that I purchased it used with 96,000 miles on it. I drive 45 miles one way on country New England roads each day and suffer from a fractured pelvis, the ride of the Intrepid is so smooth that I am able to handle the commute easily. The 2.7liter V6 engine has remarkable pick up and cruise ability. Handling in snow and rain is also great.

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  Bold and Aggressive - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By K. HARRIS - March 10 - 10:47 am

  I have owned the car for two months now and I am loving it. The ride is comfortable the interior is roomy, handling is great and it gives you that SUV feel.

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  Joy To Drive - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By Barry Poppey - March 10 - 8:13 am

  My wife and I purchased this vehicle originally for its superior comfort. My wife has a very bad back. After the purchase we found that the handling and per formance were far superior to other makes and models of equal size. We love the overall feel and ride.

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  Dodge, Intrepid - 2000 Dodge Intrepid
  By Amanda - March 9 - 11:24 pm

  I love this car. Im a mom with two kids. I can still take two other adults with me easily and at times I have fit six people. I can easily fit three carseats across the back and not feel crowded. I can feel young, even on the way to story time or kindergarten. Ive taken my beloved across country and she handles beautifully! Acceleration is instant and I can pass anyone. I love how I feel driving her too. I have a lot of pain, but I can drive long hours in this car and not die later. My old Saturn couldnt do that for me.

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  Love My Car - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By ann - March 9 - 12:16 am

  Im 52" and sit high in the seat and dont feel like Im sitting on the ground. I dont have a problem seeing out of the car. Ive always preferred small cars (Ford-pinto/escort & Hyundai-excel). I wanted a larger car but not a large car. This has a lot of room but drives like a smaller car. My Dad who is 62" thought it had a lot of room in the back seat. My mom who drives a large SUV thought I had more cargo room that she does. My children are grown but I think it would make a great family car. I think it would be great for anyone even teens because of the safety features and visibility.

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  what a mistake - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Betsy - March 8 - 5:06 pm

  Where to start. I have had my Journey for 18 months. My seats stain from rain or water, My breaks and rotors just went after 20,000 miles. My pass. window doesnt always work. My front sensor has been replaced. I have a 2009 car and you would think that I would want to show it off but I am embarrassed to have any one ride with me- the seats are horrible!!!!! Want to trade it in on something better!