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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  X corvette fan - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Ken - October 5 - 5:56 am

  I have owned sports cars all my life and this one is the most fun yet. Its not as refined as a Corvette but it is more fun to drive especially since I can take my whole family along for the ride. This thing actually draws more attention than either the new or the classic Corvettes that I have owned. It obviously doesnt corner as well as a Vette but it sure accelerates like one and I think that Chrysler is being a little conservative with the 13.5 sec et on 1/4 mile times. The engine is obviously capable of more if you can just get the tires to stick to the ground.

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  How it handled in an accident. - 2003 Dodge Stratus
  By Al - October 5 - 1:39 am

  I was in an accident last week in my 2003 Stratus SE because a fool on a four-lane highway decided to turn left from the right lane, and while I was traveling in that left lane. (He said I was in his blind spot. Guess he never took drivers ed.!) He nearly t-boned me, but I have lived to tell the story. The car was totalled. Both airbags went off, the windshield broke, the front right side sustained much damage, but I was able to get it stopped in a field, not tip over, and pretty much got control as soon as possible. His car was about the size of mine, which helped, but I now have enough faith in the car to buy a 2005 version, which we did just tonight.

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  Love This Truck! - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By Mark - October 4 - 10:23 pm

  I was skeptical when I let my wife talk me into this - I was looking for a high gas mileage import. She knew Id always liked the looks. Once I drove it I was hooked. I have the 4.7 V8 & 5sp. I average 17/gal for my commute and 19+ on the road (my best is 19.85). Great for this truck. I have had nothing but great experience from my dealer. I had a heater hose leak (there was a service bulletin on it) and they offered to replace the carpet if I wanted! I am now getting into a carpool because of the gas prices, but I NEED the truck. It is a great vehicle. Easy & fun to drive and comfortable on the road. The family likes it better than anything else weve owned.

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  Program Vehicle - 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Mike - October 4 - 9:13 pm

  We purchased the Grand Caravan SXT used (Program Vehicle) in late December 2007. We needed a 7 passenger vehicle to accommodate our children and grandchildren and this one fit the bill. It gets slightly better gas mileage than the 2002 Ford Windstar it replace (averaging 18.3 to 22.3 mpg). The Caravan has less interior room (Body width appears narrower) than the Windstar. The back bench seat will not fit 3 passengers if you put a child or infants car seat in the designated middle position.

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  My favorite car - 1995 Dodge Stealth
  By DW - October 4 - 3:59 pm

  Ive owned over 15 different cars - BMW, Ford, Mazda, Mercury, Volvo, etc. But this one is by far my favorite.

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  OK for a starter - 1999 Dodge Stratus
  By speechie - October 3 - 9:07 pm

  I bought this car for graduate school and it had already been in the shop to replace the head gasket. Since that time, Ive replaced the brakes, O2 sensor, CV axles, among other things. I guess Dodge either makes a reliable vehicle or a lemon. It now has 92000 miles and Im trading it in for something else. Im not in love with this car and Im looking forward to something else, especially with better gas mileage.

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  Never Again - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By notagain - October 3 - 10:56 am

  This car is the least reliable of any I have owned. At less than 40,000 miles a rear wheel bearing had to be replaced. At 69500 miles the transmission suddenly failed with no prior warning, leaving me and my family stranded 300 miles from home. I had to leave the car at a dealership 300 miles from home for two weeks to get it repaired. The Chrysler dealership- rebuilt tranny failed within one mile of leaving the dealership. Now the check engine light comes on once every couple of weeks, each time for a different problem. Responses to my complaints to Daimler-Chrysler indicate that they are unconcerned.

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  Very reliable - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By Albert Flagg - October 3 - 7:36 am

  I have had this truck for 4 years now.It is by far one of the best vehicles I have ever owned. I bought it in 2001 when it only had 25,000 miles on it.I now have 92,000 miles on it and it still performs like a new truck. Everyone who rides it say it rides like a car.I have driven from georgia to Oklahoma several time without a glitch. Whenever I travel driving ,I drive my truck . I get complements all the time about how beautiful a truck it is. The only problems I have had is the air conditioner compressor went out and,the passenger door lock was humming when activated. Those problems were covered under the warranty and resolved. I think I can say I love my truck.

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  A great SUV - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By B M - October 1 - 4:57 pm

  I have been driving the Durango for 2 weeks now and absolutely love it. This replaced a 1999 Isuzu Rodeo. It is very comfortable to drive and though it is large, it does not feel massive to me. The hood is short making it easy to see what’s in front of you and good visibility makes is easy to park. The 4.7L V8 does what I expected with a 3 ton vehicle. It is not quick on the start, but does not feel like it is struggling. It has a great ride, handling, and turn radius for a truck. As for gas mileage, the overhead console says I average 15 on the street and 22 on the highway. I am use to driving SUV’s and the Rodeo averaged 20mpg overall.

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  Hemi Durango - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By RH PELTON - October 1 - 1:06 pm

  I have over 10,500 miles on my Hemi Durango. I average in the city 16+ MPG and on the highway a wopping 22.5+ average at 70mph cruse control on. Well built, very comfortable and no/low maintence. I use Moble-1 oil --10-40 (Florida driving) get the best performance and fun for SUV driving