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:

• 

  Love It! - 2002 Dodge Intrepid
  By L Watkins - February 19 - 3:53 pm

  My husband and I bought this car new and I am the primary driver. I love this car. It has a big car ride without looking like it belongs to my grandparents. My husband is very tall and has a hard time getting in and out of it though. I can not believe that Chrysler quit making this car. Nice family car that looks sporty too.

• 

  Lots of trouble - 1998 Dodge Caravan
  By K. Sedler - February 17 - 10:33 pm

  We have had a considerable amount of trouble with the serpentine belt and idlyer pulley system. Dodge has released a technical service bulletin about this issue but nothing further. We have replaced the belts and system at least 3 times. We have also had other mechanical problems including having to rebuild the transmission after only 89,000 miles.

• 

  Sweet Intrepid ES - 1998 Dodge Intrepid
  By crrusher - February 17 - 2:15 am

  This car is real cool, i love it. I just had a tranny problem but that was my own fault. I mean it is a little bigger than I like but the AC and heater are great and I love the leather. Oh and the 225hp is great

• 

  The Stratus is Awesome! - 2005 Dodge Stratus
  By Rick - February 16 - 9:46 pm

  I love this car! Its very comfortable, the dash is cool with the racing style guages. An extremely enjoyable car to drive!

• 

  Dunbar van conversion - 2000 Dodge Ram Wagon
  By jedunbar - February 16 - 1:40 am

  We love our 2000 Dodge Ram van Glaval conversion. The ride is smooth and comfortable. We like the view from over other vehicles in case of traffic stops or bad road conditions. Our two concerns are: 1. We are over 70 and getting in and out are getting more difficult. 2. There is not enough foot room in the front. One foot has to rest on the wheel well while driving or riding as a passenger in the front.

• 

  Fun car to drive-excellent value - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By 2002 Stratus SXT - February 16 - 12:19 am

  The Stratus SXT is a fun car to drive with excellent pick up when accelerating. Very comfortable and handles very well on snowy and wet pavement. Some very minor repairs required during warranty period but were promptly repaired by dealer.

• 

  Review - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Patrick - February 15 - 10:16 pm

  Just purchased the Caliber a couple of months ago for my wife. I traded a 99 BMW 328i. So I was a little shocked with the quality and fit/finish of the vehicle. The steering wheel feels awfull! So far its been pretty reliable and I do like the CVT, it just feels wierd to not feel the gearbox shift. Im giving Dodge an oportunity to impress me. If this car lets me down I will never purchase another domestic vehicle again! Dont let me down Dodge!

• 

  99 intrepid - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By CHRIS - February 15 - 8:16 pm

  Good car, no major problems. Im about 63" so the size is a plus. I can strech out and drive comfortably. Decent power. I like the stock rims. In town gas mileage is low, but I have a heavy foot. Good highway mileage for its size. It does unbelivably amazing in snow and ice so long as you dont go too fast. It will go anywhere on slick roads without sliding! But if you try to take off fast on snow, wet, or even slightly wet roads, you will not move, just spin tires like crazy. My A/C went out so it is hot in the summer. I had some problems with the power windows but they all work now and I havent had problems with them for a long time. It has never left me stranded

• 

  04 Durango - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By tom - February 13 - 6:44 pm

  Purchase 04 Durango used. Performance, smoothness, power are awesome. I sometimes forget Im driving a truck. Road noise minimal. As quiet, if not quieter than the Infiniti FX35. Gas is poor. Room is perfect for this size vehicle. Horrendous squealing problem with original brakes. Replaced with thermal brakes and sqealing is just about all gone. More options are required for this $30k plus vehicle to compete at same level as competition. Better interior is needed for base and middle trim packages.

• 

  Great van, great space, great power. - 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By tunnaman - February 13 - 11:00 am

  I really like this van after owning Astro, Lumina, Aerostar, Windstar, and short Caravan. The space is wonderful and the power is suprising for something so big. I really dislike the blindspots and the road/wind noise at 75mph. Ive averaged between 19.4 and 20.5 for my all purpose driving. I have a heavy foot, so I have been plesantly suprised with the mileage. Ive had a series of quality frustrations like the side door gasket became compressed and noisy. The dealer replaced it. The PS cooler mount has a broken weld so every time I close a door it sounds like a penny in soup can. The dealer is charging me $390 to get it fixed.