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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  Dodge Dakota Quad V6 4X4 - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By Dave - August 5 - 10:21 pm

  The interior is roomy and the rear seats are comfortable. Exterior styling is great and gets a lot of compliments. Performance is fair to poor. 15.5 mpg with A/C, less in winter in 4wd. Transmission performance is poor, shifts very hard when accelerating uphill. The truck seems to bounce down the road. I wont buy another Dodge truck.

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  I love it! - 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Adrian - August 4 - 12:13 pm

  We bought our minivan about a month ago and everyone loves it! My wife wanted the Odyssey but after trying the swivel chairs, she started to get excited about it.

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  Good truck for me - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By Joe - August 3 - 1:29 pm

  This is my first SUV and I am very pleased with the performance, handling, and looks of the vehicle. Although I am skeptical from reading other reviews, I have had no problems with the vehicle. I purchased a 24 foot enclosed race car trailer (with stabalizing bars and sway bar control) and have had no problem with towing power, weight of 7300lbs. My only complaint is the narrowness of the vehicle. Even with adding extended mirrors it is difficult to see around the trailer. Due other reviews in Edmunds, I opted to buy the full extended service warranty. Looked at an 05 Expedition and my Durango had more interior cargo length (not width) and was easier to load.

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  I hate this Dodge - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By D - August 2 - 11:57 am

  Ive had nothing but problems with my Durango. Its in the repair shop every other month with a bill of around $700.00 a whack. When I bought it, I wasnt planning on a monthly repair budget. Ive had to replace all the major front end pieces, ball joints, tie rods, etc.. The belt has had to be replaced twice, spark plug wires twice, a gasket under the throttle body, one brake rotor, the windows keep sticking and now the u-joints are going out. But I do get to enjoy 18 mpg on the highway, if Im lucky. :( At only 81,000 miles I should NOT be replacing major mechanical parts. If your planning on buying a Durango, plan on budgeting for monthly repairs and have back up transportation ready.

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  Love It!!! - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By FullTmeDad - August 2 - 2:00 am

  We rented different vehicles so we could drive them for extended trips before we bought our new Grand Caravan. The anniversary edition gave us lots of extras and although I wouldnt have chosen the leather initially, I do enjoy the way it feels. The kids love the video screen and I love the way they ride quietly without asking "are we there yet?" It drives beautifully and everything is laid out so it falls easily to hand. The v-6 engine provides plenty of power and it tows the boat without struggling. I am very happy with my new Dodge and would highly recommend it.

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  drives like a dream - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By jdjljd - August 2 - 2:00 am

  I have only had it a month but I love it. It drives like a dream for an SUV. It has a good turning radius and lots of power. It is easy to put up and down the seats for hauling. I had my Dodge van for 9 years I expect to drive a Durango for a long time.

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  GREAT BUY - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By HAMMER FAMILY - August 2 - 2:00 am

  We just purchsed a new 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan, and we LOVE IT!, the incredible safety features and its competive price make it a great buy!

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  Push my Dodge before I drive a Ford - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By fehlnorfva - August 1 - 3:52 pm

  Any truck that can drag an Ford Expedition with a 26 ft. Boat out of the water and up the boat ramp has to be tuff. I did this on Memorial Day weekend when the Fords transmision blew up on the ramp. I hooked up to the disabled Ford with my Durango and brought truck and boat up on land without slipping an inch.

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  Mine has been great - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By Happy - August 1 - 4:17 am

  I bought my ES 3.2L new in May 99. Weve had it for a little over 6 years now and just recently had to replace a transmission speed sensor. That is the only non-scheduled maintenance in 6 years! Guess I got a good one. We had it in Europe for 4 years and this thing will cruise the autobahn all day at 100 MPH with no problem. It really has been an exceptional family car for us.

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  Dodge Durango - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By MR - August 1 - 1:40 am

  Very good running SUV. Strongly recomend the Hemi engine. Extra power makes the poor fuel economy worth it. A great value for the money.