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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  03 dodge neon - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By keldy22 - September 26 - 10:00 am

  Great car with great reliability. Smooth ride and trustworthy breaking. Great car for the money.

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  Dodge Staratus 2004 - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By Beth0004 - September 26 - 10:00 am

  I just traded my one year old Honda Civic for a 2004 Stratus. I have made the right decision. It is more spacious, more comfortable and it has sharp lines.

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  best truck - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By tjdelicali - September 26 - 10:00 am

  great handleing good price classy look

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  Big Red Truck - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By Tim DAngelo - September 24 - 7:09 am

  I would change very few things on my Durango. My Durango has moved my family two times now and that has paid for the truck ten times over. It can pull anything I throw at it, drive in any kinds of condition with complete safety and keeps us safe even when foolish drivers deciede they need to hit us. Its a shame the new Durango looks like a minivan.

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  It does everything - 1997 Dodge Caravan
  By Paul Revere - September 24 - 12:01 am

  One of best I have ever owned, along with Honda. Enjoyed driving every time. No back pain on long drives.Properly serviced made it dependable.When not carring dogs and people,it always had room to carry the things I needed to finsh building a cabin.The exterior finish is still like new.

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  Whoa - This Car Is Sweet! - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By Jeff - September 23 - 4:03 am

  Ive bought about 30 new cars in my life and recently traded in my Ford truck for a new 05 Neon, primarily for the fuel savings. I had a 98 Neon that I drove for 150,000+ miles trouble free, so I knew they were reliable. This new model (SXT) is so much nicer than the 98 I cant believe it. Its comfortable, quick, and looks great. The fit and finish is outstanding and the price is reasonable. The suspension and steering and feel of the car is just flat "stuck." I really dont see how the folks at Daimler Chrysler can afford to sell this car for the price they charge, its that nice of a car. It feels almost large inside and is so well made and tight that I recommend this vehicle to anyone.

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  Its all right - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By Byron - September 22 - 12:38 pm

  I have had a few problems out of this car first my fuel pump went out at 70000 miles and then I just had to replace a gasket on it and now there tellin me I need a timing belt and a water pump for some one who get there service done on time should not be having these problems.

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  Dodge is a Value Packed Minivan - 2002 Dodge Caravan
  By GK - September 21 - 4:46 pm

  Got this minivan with incentives. It was a great unbeatable price. Just $16000 + tax/registration ( No power windows and locks and CD) but had automatic transmission , A/C and CassetePlayer. Its running great. I have 33,000 miles on it. Had to visit dealership for some weird wiper problems during peak winter but they fixed it. I follow schedule B maintenace from the manual and dont forsee any major issues till 75,000 miles. Lets wait and watch.

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  Not so bad - 1996 Dodge Caravan
  By M Gulley - September 21 - 3:09 am

  I bought this vehicle used 2 yrs. ago at 68,000 miles. Living in Michigan, I have driven my van to Florida and California and back. It has been very reliable I would say. I am currently at 117,000+.I have had a problem things breaking in the inside of vehicle, like cupholder cover and other little plastic parts. Also recently the A/C went out. I also just replaced the radiator. Otherwise Ive been o.k with the Caravan.

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  We love this truck - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By Matt - September 21 - 12:40 am

  Weve taken 2 long trips with this truck and have no complaints. Its comfortable, quiet, and we get 20 mpg on the freeway (running semi-syn 5w-30 oil and a K&N air filter). Plenty of power, excellent handling, excellect 4WD capabilities, comfortable 3rd seat (more comfortable than my parents Yukon! and you dont have to pull it out!) We highly recommend this vehicle to all our friends with kids-- and without. I have no idea why anyone would get the Hemi, it has plenty of power for the frame size. A/C works very well, even when its 110 out. Dodge really thought this one out. Weve had 1 repair the whole time we owned it, it was not critical it just bugged me.