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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  Is that a Viper - 1994 Dodge Viper
  By Steve - August 9 - 2:29 am

  There are not many cars on the road that get the kind of attention the Dodge Viper receives. I have owned the car since late September of 2004 and have always gotten a wave, a smile, a thumbs up, a yell, a nod and the occassional reving of someone elses engine. Every once in a while a Viper fan will spin their head so far around that youd swear it made a complete 360 turn. The car is a treat to drive. Not only is it one of the fastest production cars on the road but its fun to drive. The Gen I vipers handle like go carts as compared to the newer models which lack the "fun factor". This car is the best bang for the buck on the market. It is just as awesome today as it was in 1994.

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  40k and falling apart - 2001 Dodge Durango
  By Killianinc - August 9 - 1:23 am

  40,000 miles and lets see... The cruise control cuts off and on, the left side window has stuck closed a time or two, the rear wiper is inoperable, and the horn blows and lights flash when driving below 8 mph. I love going to Wal Mart in this one. I get lots of attention and gestures. Gotta trade it soon. I do like the looks and the performance. Gas mileage is terrible, but most SUVs are.

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  Owned for 10 years - 1995 Dodge Spirit
  By Sarah Berger - August 8 - 4:25 pm

  It has had regular maintenance and at 77,000 had all fluids changed - transmission - brake, etc.It has been a very reliable car. It has a few small dents on the roof from small tree branches hitting it.

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  Awesome, reliable car! - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By cac - August 8 - 6:08 am

  We bought our Intrepid with 113k miles and it now has 144k and is still going strong. A very comfortable trip car, with no problems at all. Just stay up with the oil changes!

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  Awesome - 2005 Dodge Stratus
  By Mollie - August 8 - 3:31 am

  When I purchased my Stratus I was worried about gas mileage, but it turns out that gas mileage was no problem at all. I would recommend this car to anyone. It is very comfortable and the stereo is awesome. I just love the way the outside looks too.

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  my van - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By JOHN l. - August 8 - 2:00 am

  Very stylish, handles well in snow & ice. Has great gas milage, and a peppy motor(3.8). Rides smooth and quite.

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  20th Anniversary - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Marchese - August 8 - 2:00 am

  Execellent value for the van. The best of the best. DaimlerChrysler has got the minivan wrapped up!

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  srt4 - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By DrQ - August 8 - 2:00 am

  dopest car ever! so fast for so cheap, you cant find a cooler car in the market for this kind of money, or even 5k more!

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  Dodge 2003 Stratus Sedan - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By Ed Eberl - August 8 - 2:00 am

  Attractive car, but Chrysler still cannot seem to get it together 100% like my Mazda and former Honda. Her is some excamples. Windshield wipers not designed to set down they set up about 2inches on the glass on the passenger side. Rear seat cushions not properly fabric fitted, buldges. Power windows go up to far. Electronic issues, apparently still being developed, like the idle control and automated gear shifts.

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  owned olded models + this 2004 - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By pedersen - August 8 - 2:00 am

  this truck has a good all around use, has power and fun to drive. This truck is not for long drives if your tall.