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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  Laramie 4 door V8 flame red . 2WD - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By Ronald Troxell - September 4 - 3:35 am

  I am in love with this truck.I had an S-10 1985 model so this was a big jump.Did not want a big truck or another small one so the Dakota really filled the bill. Had wanted a Dakota since 1997.When Dodge said employee price that did it.

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  Love/Hate relationship - 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By CanUSayBad - September 3 - 10:00 am

  After my wife totalled our MPV last year, I had to find a quick replacement. This van was a good price and had been well-maintained, so I took a chance. Within 12 months the transmission died, the clear coat started peeling and bubbling on top and one side, the serpentine belt jumps off every 4-6k miles and the passenger side power window just fell out. Okay, so even with all the repair bills, I still havent paid as much as I would have for an Odyssey or Sienna, but what a hassle. Only buy if you are a motorhead able to do your own repairs.

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  awe vehicle - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By hww - September 3 - 10:00 am

  we have 3 neons 99,03,04. all perform flawlessly. have had no mechanical problems with them, start good, run good, mileage is excellent always 35 mpg or better. handle very well, ride is comfortable, performance is good. travel a lot of highway, 300+ miles per trip every other week end. have also packed a lot of stuff when haul too. is limited to size on some hauling. a lil more trunk space would be nice, like make the back about a foot longer?

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  ONE HOT WAGON - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By RCAL - September 3 - 10:00 am

  I WAITED A LONG TIME TO REPLACE MY 88 WAGON. AM I GLAD I DID. I OWN MINE SXT FOR A MONTH NOW AND I AM LOVING IT. THE 3.5 HAS ALL THE POWER I NEED AND IT HANDELS LIKE A SPORT CAR.

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  SE plus power train - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By SEPlus - September 3 - 10:00 am

  I bought a SE plus 2005 Grand caravan vehicle couple of months back. Initially vehicle was good but now it is not that great. Currently I have about 3000 miles only. Getting a rattle noise from engine(started around 1500 miles), checked with dealer couple of times but they claim it is normal for this powertrain. Dealers are not ready to write anything about the design flaw. Dealership Mechanics agree that it is an issue with 2005 models, but they refuse to give in writing.I am posting here as it might help the ones who is planning to buy one. I would strongly caution them.

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  Terrible Gas Mileage - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By Mark - September 3 - 3:22 am

  Im A Newer 2005 Durango Owner, So My Experience With The SUV Is Limited, But I Am So Dissapointed With The Fuel Mileage, I Was Wondering How Many Other People Were Experiencing This Same Issue. I`ve Owned Many Vehicles, Mid. And Full Size, But None That Got 11 Mpg. !!.I Drive About 60% Hwy. And 40% City, And I`m Averaging 11 Mpg. I Drive Very Easy, And Baby My Vehicles. For The Most Part I Really Like The Durango So Far, But I`ve Seen Huge Ford Excursions And Hummer H2`s Get 14.5 Mpg. Avgerage. Dodge And My Dealership Gave Me The Lame Excuse That Mpg. Depends On How The Person Drives The Vehicle. If I Drive Any Easier,Mopeds Will Pass Me! I Hope By Some Miracle My Mpg.Increases At Some Point

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  This Truck HAULS! - 1998 Dodge Dakota
  By Bill C - September 3 - 1:45 am

  I feel fortunate that this has been a pretty reliable (American) hauler. Fuel pump (in tank) failed under warranty and the differential gears were unnecessarily replaced in an attempt to fix a "clunk" noise when braking hard and turning into a drive (apron). Other than that, routine maintenance. Im 62" tall and the seats fit great. Pulls a car hauler and sometimes heavy loads of gravel, dirt, etc. No problem. The 5.9L engine is a old school, but very dependable one. Lots of grunt. I love my "Art-eee" truck.

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  Great Car - 1996 Dodge Intrepid
  By catandave - September 2 - 5:29 pm

  Everyone told me I was in for problems when I bought my Intrepid. It ran great for 220,000 miles when we got rid of it for something to pull a boat. I never had to replace the transmission or any other major repairs, just minor brake replacements. This is something for any car that I drive. I believe in driving them hard. I would recommend this car to anyone.

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  Good Buy - 1999 Dodge Avenger
  By silvercars1999 - September 2 - 2:15 pm

  25MPG in the city with a V6! Cant ask for much more. Runs good. Interior leather is nice. Jerky transmission. Had to replace transmission sensor, but still stutters between 3rd & 4th. Sounds nice through a good muffler. Surprising trunk space. Could have made the opening a little bigger. Has a growing aftermarket. Basicly a bigger Eclipse.

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  Lovin my Neon. - 1999 Dodge Neon
  By limniade - September 1 - 3:55 pm

  Ive had my 4-Door Neon Sport for over six years now. I drove it off the lot with 8 miles on the odometer, and today Ill roll over 107,000. Ive had almost NO problems, except for an alignment issue and frozen wheel bearing due to an accident. The car handles very well, especially for a 3- speed automatic. I dont get a ton of pickup, but its a zippy little car thats as fun to drive as it was the day I bought it. The brakes squeal a little, the cars got a lot of air noise, but its been a champ for as long as Ive owned it. I know a number of Neon owners have had issues at 60K miles, and I bought the 99 thinking theyd have the bugs out by then, and its been very reliable for me.