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:

• 

  Great Car - 2005 Dodge Stratus
  By George Noble - August 17 - 4:05 pm

  I have owned Chryslers in the past and just traded my 2000 Stratus for a 2005. The price was surpisingly good, the looks and performance are great. I have owned Chrysler products in the past and have never been sorry. Dependable and fun to drive. I would not want another brand of car.

• 

  My first and last Chrysler - 2006 Dodge Caravan
  By No More DCX! - August 16 - 11:05 pm

  I got this home from the dealer less than two weeks ago. Ive been back twice due to suspension mishaps from the factory.

• 

  2002 Stratus SXT a good value - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By cdf - August 16 - 9:09 pm

  This is my 2nd Stratus, and for the money it is a great deal. I had only one minor electrical problem with the A/C unit and the dealer fixed it promptly. The car should come standard with window guards as the roofline will leak the water in without them. The seating is very comfy as well as the ride. The sound system is more than adequate for a base vehicle. Fuel economy is reasonable at 25 city/30 highway. its a nice vehicle for the money. Chrysler cars will be parked in my driveway for a long time if they keep this price/value relationship

• 

  Fantastic - 2003 Dodge Intrepid
  By Dog - August 16 - 12:15 pm

  I test drove about 12 used cars, and then stumbled into the SXT, which I had not even considered when I started looking. After I drove it once, I was sold. Car is all around fantastic. Power is great and handling is superior for this size of car. Braking is superb. Styling of exterior and interior are both acceptable.

• 

  Alert to all R/T owners on tire cupping! - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Ray - August 14 - 10:10 pm

  At 13000 miles had to get a tire rotation. There was a noise coming from the tires, and also tires seems to be out of alignment? At 16,000 miles had to go back for same reason, but this time they found that all 4 tires were out of alignment and the tires were cupping badly enough to warrant new tires already. Dodge refused to replace tires, and Firestone refused as well since it was an alignment problem (and Dodges responsibility

• 

  Fun Full size car. - 1994 Dodge Intrepid
  By Brian M. Genthner - August 14 - 9:32 pm

  My 94 Dodge Intrepid is fun to drive and comfortable. Ive owned it for two years and the only problems Ive had was that the drums stick or a spring in the drum brakes breaks but I like the disc. It hugs the road very well. It has 164,000 miles and it still runs good plus its 3.3L is easier to work on than the 3.5L the my father has in his 1993 Eagle Vision the he has had cooling problems with. If you want a good car that will be there and that is good in snow, get an Intrepid.

• 

  srt-4 - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By trekguy - August 14 - 10:00 am

  Just purchased it 2 days ago and have 190 miles on the odometer. Very fast, although i HAVE YET BEEN ABLE TO SPIN THE WHEELS (maybe the LSD will not permit that). Car is very comfortable, and I love the racing seats. Brakes stop excellent. Paint is almost flawless, but the sound system could be better-price is GREAT!

• 

  What a toilet - 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Dave - August 13 - 10:20 pm

  100000 miles and many of them to and from the shop. Fuel pump failure, belt tensioner failure, starter failure, brake jobs every 15K; its one thing after another. Interior is nice, comfortable, but the wind noise necessitates cranking the volume to hear the music. Brakes are terrible, feels like the car isnt going to stop, and handles like a truck. Has a lot of room for hauling, and when you step on it, it has power (3.8L eng).Wife likes it though the mechanical failures have put us in the market for a new van--NOT a Caravan. Anybody want to buy a Sport model Caravan?

• 

  Satisfied so far - 1998 Dodge Stratus
  By sabrina - August 13 - 7:20 pm

  I bought my 98 Dodge Stratus 3 years ago and have had slim to no problems with it. I have had to have the fan belt tightened, and at around 90k miles I had to have new spark plugs and wires, thats it. It is good on gas and is a smooth ride. I will probabaly get another Dodge.

• 

  Strut Towers - 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Caravangh - August 12 - 4:30 pm

  If you have a Dodge Minivan, you have rusted Strut Towers. The over all Van is in great working order, run good, look good. BUT than you look under the hood WOW RUST like you have never seen before. The Strut Towers are so badly rusted around the top, Im afraid one day my strut is going into orbit.