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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  Great Truck - 1990 Dodge Dakota
  By Great Truck - March 29 - 11:31 pm

  I am a sixteen year old and this is my first car. My father bought it for me when I was fifteen. That was my birthday gift from him and my mother. Ever since we had the truck I have had a lot of fun. The only thing I dislike about the truck is the color. It is blue and silver with double red stripes going down the side, and the chrome on the mirrors, bumbers and front end is showing its age.

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  Neons are cute, but beware! - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By Carolyn - March 29 - 4:31 pm

  Bought my Neon in 2000 with only 24,000 mi on it. The dealership had already replaced a head gasket. Since then, I have had to replace the radiator, an O2 sensor, and the dash circuit board (my speedometer stopped working!) The brakes squeak constantly, it slips in the rain even with good tires (I wont even mention in the snow), and the doors/handles freeze solid in the cold. Rear speakers are blown, tape deck quit working. So many problems, and it only JUST passed 56,000 mi. AC isnt very cold, and sucks the life out the acceleration. When I first got the car, I loved how cute it was, but now I look at it and I cant wait to buy my Honda CR-V. No more Dodge products for me!

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  In Love again - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By Mr Macho - March 28 - 9:43 pm

  Upgraded from a Dodge Caliber to an Avenger RT 08. I needed more trunk space for my golf clubs and other items that the caliber could not help me with. I love the 235 horsepower (feels like more) and the way it feels around the turns. It looks good, it feels good, it drives good. I am in love again after 40. If you want fun, try driving one. I love the satellite radio, navigational system and the blue tooth. I gives you what it promises. Some might complaint about the MPG, but they forget, it is a V6 mean machine.

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  Inferior Engineering - 1998 Dodge Stratus
  By Unsatisfied consumer - March 28 - 2:01 am

  Time and time again Chrysler proves to the American public that they dont care a great deal about building a reliable automobile. My 1998 Stratus WAS just like any other Dodge car- a pile of junk. Head gasket, radiator, transmission,and internal engine problems all before 70,000 miles. My advice to anybody is to stay away from the Stratus. Yes, you can get into one a bit cheaper and they are comfortable to ride, but you will pay for it in repairs. Chrysler should be ashamed of themselves for building a disposable piece of junk. My contacts lasted longer than my 1998 Stratus. It depreciated faster than a share of stock in Enron

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  great car - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By J maynard - March 27 - 4:14 am

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  Best i ever had still going strong - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By pgtek2001 - March 26 - 11:09 pm

  Hi bought it new and now i have 290,000 miles on it and runs like a charm. does not shake on idle the radio antenna is still no shaking. i put about 2100.00 in repair since i bought it. retired mechanic i do my own repair. This Durango slt 4.7l 2x4 wheel drive haul a 5x10 trailer loaded since 2004 from Quebec to Florida and never had problem going 70 mph. Never seen a winter and still have original shocks with dealer sticker on them. already at 290,000 miles and still going fine. just replace bank 2 sensor 1 on exhaust pipe and engine light went off. hit a deer last year in North Carolina not to much damage luckily its high from the ground

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  Very Pleased - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By wolfinblue - March 26 - 9:02 pm

  I love my Dakota! Nice and powerful and throaty sounding 3.7L V6. Towing my 17 boat is a breeze. 18,000 miles and no problems. It handles great and is very comfortable ride for a pickup. Road noise and wind noise is a little more than I would have liked, and factory stereo (Non Infinity) is a joke. Worst factory stereo Ive heard on a modern vehicle. I have replaced the speakers and head unit and added a small Bazooka sub. Otherwise, Im very pleased with this truck!

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  Bad Choice - 1996 Dodge Caravan
  By Mike R. - March 26 - 3:27 pm

  About the only good things about this vehicle are the wheels and stereo, which I purchased separately. Too many things to mention that have gone wrong, but Ill try. Transmission, W.S. wipers, suspension, belt tensioner, air bag module, air conditioning and 3 recalls. No more Chrysler products for me.

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  almost perfect - 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By tar rat - March 26 - 2:00 am

  This van is nearly perfect, except for one major flaw; the transmission. We had to have it fixed three times and, if I wasnt trading it tomorrow, it would be going in for a fourth time.

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  Dodge Durango - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By C. Edgar - March 26 - 12:00 am

  I love my Durango. The gas mileage is better than I anticipated. I really like its smooth ride and acceleration. It is never sluggish, not even on a very cold morning.