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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  Whooooa! - 2005 Dodge Viper
  By Brett - May 5 - 4:42 pm

  Ive owned my Dodge Viper SRT-10 for about 12 months now. Ive owned over 16 cars and this is by far the most powerful, awe-inspiring, attention getting, like you are at an amusement park fun to drive car I have ever experience. The value of this car when comparing price to performance is simply unbeatable. This in not an everyday driver, but is great fun on the weekends and coastal trips. For the automotive enthusiasts the Viper SRT-10 is a must have.

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  Good looking, performing w/"no-frills" - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By Bradske - May 5 - 1:09 am

  Put a new water pump on at 65K that cost a bit. Other than that, I havent had a problem. I just started having water leakage into the passenger side floorboard -- that MAY turn into a big prob. Mechanically very reliable, efficient, fast, and good looking ride for the $10k I paid for it new. Good value.

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  My Dodge is great - 2000 Dodge Intrepid
  By Kent - May 4 - 9:31 pm

  My Dodge has been great. 3.2 motor, ES trim, Sunroof, no leaks, no major problems, no complaints. I change the oil regularly but not always at 3K. My Dodge gets me an average 26.3 MPG, has 78K on it, and its fun to drive. The car handles well and is still all original equipment. I have replaced brakes and tires but thats it. This has been a very nice car, the ride is smooth and reasonably quiet. Very satisfied. My car is well made. Always a pleasure to get in and drive. Bought it brand new and have been pleased ever since. No plans to trade or sell it any time soon.

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  Not ever again - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Misery - May 4 - 5:18 pm

  I bought my Neon brand new with only 10 miles on it. I wanted a safe car for my family. I have a infant. The car rode great. All the ammenities were great. A little small when traveling, but overall its good. Six months after owning my car I got into a little "finder bender" or at least I thought it was little. I hit a Camry from behind, scratched their bumper and totalled my car. YES TOTALLED!! These cars are not very safe. I wasnt even going over 20 mph. I am just lucky that my son nor I were hurt. I would never buy a Neon again.

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  Most fun in years - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Srt4mom - May 4 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my SRT-4 for 6 months now. I upgraded from a 2000 Neon. I love the car, I love the reactions of people when they see it. The performance is outstanding and it is definitely the most fun Ive ever had with a car - and Ive been driving for 35 years. Im just waiting for my husband to get his rebuilt Firebird on the track so I can show him just what a little "neon" can do.

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  NICE!!!!! - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Magnumluver - May 4 - 10:00 am

  This is a very nice car you will like it very much!!!!

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  Good Choice - 2001 Dodge Intrepid
  By Craig Bannecke - May 3 - 5:21 pm

  Purchased this ES Intrepid as a lease turn in with 30.K miles. It now has 70.0K miles and has been a good reliable vehicle. Gas mileage around town is average but on the road it gets 27 mph. Wife drives the car daily and we take it on most of our road trips. Very enjoyable vehicle

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  Favorite Dodge So Far - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By marki - May 3 - 5:00 pm

  This is my third Dodge. First had a 96 Ram 1500, then a 02 Dakota. Now have the 04 Dakota. Love everything about it. Its got the V8 with a 5 speed manual transmission. Way more power than the V6, and almost identical gas mileage. Spacious but not too big. Perfect for city or highway driving.

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  Excellent - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Dennis Wahrer - May 2 - 8:00 pm

  The car handles like a dream. I took it on a trip to Virginia in early Dec. I had absolutly no problems. I think I helped to sell at least one Hemi to a trucker and his wife at a truck stop. They saw the vehicle at the pump, came over to me and wanted to see the engine and the other things about the car. They said they could not find a HEMI at any dealers where they shopped. As they walked back to thier truck I overheard the wife say, "Well I guess we are going to trade our old station wagon." I hope I sold one for you.

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  Looks good, but beware of repairs - 1997 Dodge Avenger
  By Dan - May 2 - 3:28 pm

  I have had my avenger for 2 years now and I have put over $3,000 into it (not including routine maintance. Ive had 4 new struts, 2 control arms, 3 tires, 2 rims, front brakes, hole in exhaust, and new locks. Now the sunroof is broken, radio reception is terrible, leak near drivers door, and my interior lights and some warning lights (low gas) dont work. The tires and rims are very expensive to replace and a tune-up and timing belt will run $300 and $500. The turning radius is also terrible and the V6 engine sounds strained.