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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  Flipper! - 2006 Dodge Caravan
  By Josh R. - November 30 - 9:52 pm

  Ive had this van as a work vehicle through my company for the past two years, and its been a good little trooper. I neither baby my vehicles nor treat them especially rough, and though the fuel mileage isnt what I would like it to be, its been very reliable and I enjoy driving it. It holds a LOT of cargo, has Stow-n-Go seating for passengers should I need to carry them, and handles better than I ever expected a minivan would. The 3.3L V6 is quiet and has decent torque, laboring only in 100-degree heat when the air is running full blast and youre trying to get up to freeway speed. Its comfortable too, though the seats need better hip and thigh support.

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  Great Overall Truck - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By gmax86 - November 30 - 3:58 pm

  I bought this truck in October of 05 with 53k miles on it. I now have a little over 93k on it and I havent had any major problems so far which is to be expected on a vehicle with less than 125k and normal driving conditions. The ride is very comfortable for a pickup truck with above average handling. I also love the size, not too small and not too big. The only thing Im not impressed with my truck is the interior could be better. Its cheap plastic. My glove box handle fell off and almost every peice of plastic has at least 1 small crack on it. But overall I love this truck. Its my second Dakota (had an 88) and Im not sure if Id ever get anything other than a Dakota. Dodge rocks!

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  2008 dodge avenger 2.7 - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By quoc - November 29 - 8:00 pm

  got car 7/2008, drive great in first few mths. in fall 2008 car start stall 2 time in traffic light, transmission shift with high rpm and one tank of gas drives for only 300km. i brought to the dealer and they said its normal until i found out that they have a recall for "G-23 on 06/01/2007 TIPM reflash for A/T shift concern." but my dealer wont do it because my vin number is not on the recalled list so i brought to another dealer and they agreed to look at it and upload my PCM controller and they programmed a new one since then the car has been running great and one tank average 500km and shifting is very smooth in the cold weather and no more stalling.

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  Sons First Car - 1993 Dodge Dynasty
  By CA - November 29 - 3:33 pm

  We got this off a neighbor for $200.00 and initially I thought I got a lemon. There was an electrical quirk, but my mechanic fixed it. Since it sat, it needed a few things, and the previous owner didnt have the right person work on it, so about $2500. later, the car runs great. Not too bad for a first car with NO CAR PAYMENT! I have a 1990 Daytona and I was never a sedan person, but I find myself loving this car. I was told that the 4 cyl. was very rare in this model. It has the exact same engine as my Daytona does. I told my son if he ever decides to get a new car, I want it back.

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  Suprising Car - 1998 Dodge Stratus
  By JH - November 28 - 7:39 pm

  My first car was a 1998 Dodge Stratus that I received over two years ago from my grandfather when I was 15. It had 110K miles on it and now has about 140K miles. Annual maintenance was not done on the car so we had to buy new brakes, tires, and the points and plugs were are now all new. Now the mechanic wants over $400 for a new oil pan. The transmission runs like new and its a fun car to drive so we decided to keep it until it completely falls apart without putting any more money into it. Overall, the Stratus was a nice easy car to learn how to drive in, but there are more reliable options out there. If price is an issue, the Stratus is always a good option.

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  Save your self !!!!! - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By gunny519 - November 28 - 7:04 pm

  i own the 2.7 model of the intrepid and now i am having to get a new car because the engine is failing me. i really am trying to save you by telling you to not to buy the intrepid with the 2.7 engine, if it has the other engines you should be just fine. i absolutly loves my car until things started going wrong. the biggest thing right now is the oil consumption, i go through a quart of oil about every 200 miles and there is no leak it is all burnt, there is so much burnt oil coming out of the exhaust that it bothers people behind me. the blower motor also just had to be replaced and there are other things that need fixed but since i am getting a new vehicle im not going to waste my money.

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  2005 Dodge Stratus SXT FAILED at 80K mil - 2005 Dodge Stratus
  By Dodge Customer - November 27 - 10:50 am

  The timing belt failed at 80K on my 2005 Dodge Stratus SXT 2.4 liter which caused 2 engine valves to be bent and the first time my service manual said anything about the timing belt is to change it at 90K miles. It did not say anything about inspecting or anything else concerning the timing belt before then.So now Im stuck with a $1650 engine repair when this could have been avoided if Dodge at least suggested inspection of the timing belt at 60K or 70K miles.Not happy!

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  Tons of Vehicle for the $$ - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By Doug - November 23 - 9:41 am

  Bought the Durango used nearly 3 yrs ago and initially had several minor issues with some trim pieces. However, mechanically its been nearly perfect and very reliable. Great tow vehicle and good for family of 6. Not quite as large as Expedition or Tahoe but much less expensive, tows as much or more (Ive got the HEMI) and drives much better - especially in the city. Mileage also hasnt been bad as expected. I consistently average 15.5 to 16.0 combined and easily achieve 20- 22 on the highway cruising 80. Not the prettiest vehicle out there but one to seriously consider if buying used. NEVER buy one of these big SUVs new - youd be throwing $1000s out the window for no reason!

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  Worth it - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Food Library - November 21 - 2:40 pm

  This car has great acceleration and a sporty design with tons of room inside. It handles in snow and can pass like a beast. Mine has no problems and its at 65,000 as of today. My only complaint is the tiny gas tank. By the time your gas light is on youve usually gone through only 11 or so gallons of gas. I feel like a kid that has to go to the bathroom every ten minutes when Im stopping for gas every few days.

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  Purchased used - 2008 Dodge Caliber
  By nhemt - November 20 - 10:08 pm

  I bought mine used with 24,000 miles on it for a good price just over 11,000. I drive alot and this has been a great car with a few exceptions. The original seasonal tires are not good for NH weather. I will need to replace them soon for the winter. But the car is comfortable to drive, it shifts well (I own automatic) and I see myself owning it for a long time.