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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  Excellent vehicle to run around in - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By sxt sedan - December 24 - 10:39 am

  We have owned 4 Neons, 3 at present. Excellent 36+ mpg all highway. A little stiff on storage but otherwise fun to drive. AC is comfortable and heat is comfortfortable. Easy to maintain and wash. No problems with running. Virtually maintenance free with exception to regular oil changes and the like. Great in parking lots and tight spots. Fun to park. Maneuverability is excellent, ride is good on good roads but a little bumpy on rough roads. Fairly quiet ride with factory tires, better with newer better quality tires. Use cruise control all the time and like tilt wheel for better position on long drives. Power windows and mirrors are great and just love the sound from radio or CD player can play

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  Issues Galore - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By 07_sxt_25 - December 24 - 12:00 am

  I purchased my 1.8L Caliber SXT when they first hit the lot back in 06, and honestly I have had nothing but problems with it. A/c compressor replaced w/ 12k mi on it cause it was stalling the engine, 3 years later a/c still does not blow cold it gets to 120+ is Arizona and the a/c stinks in this car Lemon law denied my case on it. Transmission problems, rear brakes problems, engine issues, A/c will be running for 1 hr and will still be sweating. The only good thing I have to say about it is the gas mileage and front, side, and knee air bags. If I wasnt stuck in the car I would sell without thinking about it.

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  Happy with my van - 2004 Dodge Caravan
  By cie - December 23 - 8:42 pm

  So far I am totally satisfied with my van. The only problem I have had thus far was about 2.5 months after I bought the car it started cutting off on me so I took it in and they said that it was my spark plugs I don’t know why after that short period of time that a new car would have that problem but it did it was fixed of course with no charge to me and the tires I think I have cheap tires but I can buy new one but all in all I love my mini van it seats all 6 of us comfortably

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  Best used car I have ever bought - 1992 Dodge Shadow
  By Spendaddy - December 23 - 6:49 pm

  Bought this car in Vegas with 85,000 miles in Jan of 2004. Drove 2700 miles in 3 days to Florida and not one problem. Car has 102,000 and I cant beleive that every option still works! Just change oil and repack bearings regularly and you will be fine. Paint is not the best, but who cares its 14 years old!! Best used car I ever bought for $1000!

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  Badest little machine ever - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By neonsrt4 - December 23 - 1:33 pm

  I love this car. I installed the Mopar Blow off, and its extremely fast. The interior is awesome and it will stop on a dime. Expect to go through a lot of tires. Its hard to restrain yourself when with that much on tap. It handles pretty good but needs a little negative camber up front to handle better. Trunk is huge and useful and the back seat lays down easily. For the first 10,000 miles I got 17 MPG. after the engine got broke in it pulled to near 27 on the highway. Dodge asks that Mobil 1 full synthetic oil be ran in it. Other than that Ive had no qualms with maintainence. If youre buying one, get maintainence records. On a turbo car ensure that the oil changes were done

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  Lemon - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By Bjorn - December 23 - 2:58 am

  My SRT my car has spent more time in the shop than on the road. Dodge can not figure out why it wont start, theyll get it running then suddenly it wont start again. Handled and performs great when it runs. Being returned under the lemon law and no, I will not get another.

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  1 Year of ownership - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By calibur lover - December 23 - 2:20 am

  After 1 year and 8000 miles, No problems. averaging 26 miles to the gallon. Fun to drive. Still turns heads. I like the comfort of the car, and all of the bells and whistles. I have the 17 inch wheels, which look better on this car. also have cvt transmission and love the silent shift. probably the best car I have ever owned.

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  1993 Intrepid outstanding - 1993 Dodge Intrepid
  By Bob - December 22 - 8:18 pm

  Bought the car because it had plenty of room compared to the Volvos I was driving. At first I was afraid that it would be unreliable as I was trading down from a Volvo. The car has never let me down. It has been one of the best three cars I have owned. Only minor repairs and just going to retire it and get a Charger. With over 150,000 miles on it the engine and transmission are strong ... it can MOVE!!! The air conditioning just lost its charge but with winter, no problem. I would buy another in a heart beat. Just change the oil as you shoiuld and it will last.

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  Mistake - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By luvleia - December 21 - 8:30 pm

  After it was one year old, things started going down hill. Were now getting electronic and mechanical work done on it before the "new" warranty runs out, then we plan on trading it in before its too late. It could just be my car, but theres definetly problems with it and I think a recall needs to be made on the rear barrings, etc. Im about to bring it to the dealership for the 4th time and they still cant fix the problem. Next time well visit Honda or Toyota.

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  Its all they say it is - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By MIKE - December 21 - 8:06 am

  I find this car to be all the ads say that it would be. I normally dont get excited about cars. I used to sell them. This car is fun to drive, good on gas, and very comfortable. Try it and you will buy it!