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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  An Okay Truck - 1990 Dodge Dakota
  By Okay Truck - May 28 - 4:08 am

  I have had some good and bad experinces with this lemon. I know with a used truck you are going to have problems, but come on. When I first got it it had an oil leak. Then it had a coolent leak. Now it has a gas leak. What else is going to leak on this thing? When I set my cruise control it will rev itself up going downhill. I can see it doing that going up hill, but down? A month ago the headlights went out while I was going to school. I was at a Chrysler place and when I showed them my truck the guy said, and I quote, "You have a Dakota, it will last forever". Well, if it will last forever, mine is about to die.The transmission gets happy when you first start going in the morning. I would not recommend this truck to anyone.

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  Good car - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By Jo2knight - May 27 - 2:47 pm

  Ive had this car for approximately for 2 months. This car has been absolutely wonderful. I paid an excellent price for the car. If you look at the inside of the car, you can tell the materials that its made with are very sturdy and look like they will last a while. The performance of the engine is superb. The car is front wheel drive so you have to be careful to not accelerate too fast and turn at the same time. Overall Im very happy with the car.

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  Great Super Car - 1996 Dodge Viper
  By Domenic - May 27 - 11:56 am

  Car could not be better just got my 96 Viper white w/ Blue stripes a month ago and already put over 3000 miles on it I drove it home from Missourri 900 miles w/ the top off it was great. I can not drive this car enough.

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  Love our van - 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Bockhowierrr - May 27 - 10:00 am

  We just bought this van a week ago, so reliability will have to wait to be determined. But so far, we love it! Very spacious, captain chairs are nice, easy to move, and remove. 3.3 V6 is plenty of power if not pulling anything behind it. We thought of buying 2003, but found a 2002 w/ 12,000 miles for $10,000 less! Dual climate control is sweet, as is rear climate control. Nice van!

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  Charger R/T - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By rsstopper - May 27 - 4:46 am

  Ive never owned a Dodge in my life. I think I was missing the boat. Its a tight, quiet, comfortable 4 door Tank. With the 5.7L Hemi the gas mileage is low but the 4/6/8 cylinder shut down system works pretty well. On the highway the mileage quickly is 24mpg with an added plus of using regular gas. Overall, a great car with a happy owner.

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  05RT - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By wilson5 - May 27 - 2:33 am

  A comfortable, fun, fast, cool looking car with so so build and material quality.

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  2WD Extended Cab SLT Dakota - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By John - May 26 - 3:53 pm

  Has been a great truck, and other than normal wear parts,(brakes, tires, etc...) I have had nothing wrong with it. Still drives like the day I got it.

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  Given up on Dodge - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By Chuck - May 25 - 4:10 pm

  Thought I would "buy American" and get the Dodge Dakota 4 dr crew. Love its style, comforts, more power than I need (4.7L V8) 2WD has no traction in snow or ice. Very easy to drive and comfortable 6ft.2 220lbs.(2 trips NJ to Calif.) Gas mileage stinks...13-18mpg, no loads. Brake rotors replaced 28K, Left top ball joint worn (no recall yet)A/C needed charging, Right front hub and bearings replaced 49K, rear leaf spring noisy, transmission hesitation occasionally. Great truck to drive and haul but reliability really in question with only 49K. Probably back to Nissan or Toyota.

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  Cant stop talking about my car - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Erica - May 25 - 2:26 am

  I have owned my car over a year now, and everyone around me is already sick of how much I talk and talk about it. I have had owners of much more expensive sporty sedans, coupes, and true two- seater sports cars try out my SRT-4 and to a person have all been amazed at its power, acceleration and performance. Fun to drive is an over simplification. When I mention the price, it cant be believed. Reading professional reviews, most complaints are about the interior. Well, I say, Id take a toned-down interior to be able to afford this kind of power and performance! In my opinion, I want all of the "bells and whistles" under the hood.

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  Served Me Well - 1999 Dodge Dakota
  By earkahuna - May 24 - 6:49 pm

  Ordered with features I wanted. Lots of commuting miles so I purchased the 6 clyinder. Interior room better than later models. Nothing extraordinarily expensive to fix. Able to be serviced by local mechanics. Based on record would buy a Dodge again.