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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  Nice vehicle - 1998 Dodge Dakota
  By nsp98 - February 12 - 11:30 pm

  Plenty of space in the cab and decent headroom. The cloth seats are durable. The truck had 41,000 miles. The engine fan bearing was replaced so I checked for heat damage on the block. The gaskets and seals were original w/ no leaking. Rides nice, even when I pulled a lawn tractor/trailer.

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  Great Car - 1997 Dodge Intrepid
  By treplover - February 12 - 3:09 pm

  I know all the ins and outs of this car. I now have over 200,000 miles on mine and the only problem Ive had is the waterpump going, thermostat, and the timing belt (both expected on any car with that mileage). Other than that only tires brakes and a new battery and I was good to go. Never afraid to take it on a long haul. Bought the car new in 97 and its been the best investment Ive ever made. I have to put this car at the top of its class in all aspects. Great sporty, reliable, family car. I would highly reccoment this car to anyone considering. You just have to treat it well and it will return the favor to you!

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  Very Reliable car - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By Joe - February 12 - 1:36 pm

  I bought this car brand new back in 96. I have to say that as many others have mentioned, I had to change the head gasket, and I had the normal problems with other parts of the car. The latest thing I had to face was a malfunction of the speed sensor, however, it was replaced (not a very expensive replacement part) and everything was back to normal. The painting peeled off the roof, and the rest of the car was darkening (it is white, so you can tell it darkens), but I took it to a furnace full body painting in 2003 and it is brand new now! This car has never left me stranded, and even though the gas mileage is not very good in the city, it is certainly fun to drive!

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  Good vehicle for the price - 2014 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Peter Halapatz - February 11 - 10:56 pm

  The mechanics of the vehicle are excellent. The gas mileage is impressive on the highway. I normally average 31 mpg. on long trips. The ride is stiff and you feel the road more than in Dodge minivans of the past. No service problems to date. NOTE* (Added 1 year after original review) Still no mechanical problems and gas mileage on the highway is still 31/32 mpg with cruise control. Ive added a Kenwood HD/bluetooth radio, and a backup camera to the original equipment (total installed $600) and upgraded to all weather Michelin tires ($700) to make the van exactly what I need.

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  My 2004 Dakota - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By Danny Cole Sr. - February 11 - 1:52 pm

  This is a fun truck to drive. I have the 3.7litre V6 with 5 speed transmission. This truck does respond very good with the V6 engine The comfort is good with enough room to seat myself and my wife comfortably. We enjoy this truck. And we like the body style.

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  Powerful - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By steve sherwood - February 10 - 2:44 pm

  Far and away the most powerful vehicle Ive ever owned. Fantastic in snow. Only downside is the drivers seat, it needs to be softer. Other than that its a great auto!

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  Bad in Snow - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By LRS - February 10 - 9:16 am

  I traded in my Dodge Minivan for this vehicle because I wanted something a bit smaller and more stylish. I love the way this car looks and is quite roomy BUT I was VERY dissappointed this winter with how the thing handled in the snow. There were seveal times that I almost didnt make it up some of the hills where I live. I thought it may have been my tires - but when I went to the tire dealership, they said my tires were fine! Also, the seats show everything which isnt good when you have small kids and a dog!

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  My "TRO" - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By Ida - February 9 - 10:50 pm

  I purchased the SLT 4x2, Black, oh what an eye catcher! The first week I took it to work I was in the parking lot during lunch every day, because my co- workers wanted to see it in and out. I even get people asking me to take them for a test ride in my SUV! It handles beautifully and my husband was so impressed on the handling of my Nitro he bought his two weeks later. I get between 22 and 27 miles per gallon (highway miles) city 19 miles per gallon). I have 4 grandchildren and I can ride all of them with comfort (no fighting). They love it! I am so glad I held out on purchasing a vehicle before the Nitro.

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  What a Lemon - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By Ian from Denver - February 9 - 8:35 pm

  Ive had this 2005 Durango SLT w/ HEMI since Sept 2005. So far it has been a HUGE disappointment. Things that went wrong with it: 1) The CD player stopped ejecting CDs within the 1st month. 2) The front passanger door was bent and the dealership had to adjust it. 3) There is a constant air leak from all windows. At speeds of 60+ mph it gets rather noisy inside. 4) The overdrive off (or as they call it tow/haul)works whenever it wants to. 5) Going down steep hills in 2nd gear the vehicle keeps accelerating and slowing down on its own - cant keep a constant speed. 6) Even w/ the HEMI it is very sluggish and underpowered. No pickup at all - my LIBERTY accelerates better.

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  Fast and furious. Way too much power - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By vinny - February 8 - 2:47 am

  When I first got the vehicle I though about how much I would be paying at the pump but when I got the feel for the car it amazed me how much power it had under the hood. The car really moves it has a lot of power and once you start pressing the pedal it ask for more speed. You’re saying to yourself that’s enough, but no, the hemi engine won’t stop revving until you press the brake. It has so much power it should be illegal to drive. The g-force just rocks your head to the back of your seat. Hold on tight to the steering wheel because the hemi will take over. But you will visit the pump soon.