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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  Nice minivan - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Pete - February 24 - 6:20 pm

  I bought this Caravan used with 21K miles for thousands less than a Sienna or Odyssey. Ive put 60K miles on it and have not had any major problems. Other than regular oil/filter changes, I have replaced an EGR valve($100) and spark plug wires($60). Granted resale value is lower than Honda and Toyota, but I am pleased with the reliability. Great value. I would definitely buy another late model, low mileage used Caravan.

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  cool car - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By BaBe808 - February 24 - 10:00 am

  i love this car...i drive one

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  This is a Great Car. - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By kysfm - February 24 - 10:00 am

  This a great car to drive. It looks like a sports car without the expense of owning one. It has a powerful engine for a 4 Cylinder car. I got my car from 0 to 60 in about 5 and 1/3 seconds. Good on turns. Nice Stereo system, six speakers, cd player, good range on FM and AM stations. Nice trunk space.

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  Fun stuff - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By STEVE44 - February 24 - 10:00 am

  Increatible car. A must buy

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  The medium truck that could - 1993 Dodge Dakota
  By Robert Dunbar - February 23 - 2:54 am

  I bought this truck about a year ago. I am very pleased with the truck overall, it really can haul with the Magnum V8. The only problems Ive had was a wire that wore through to the transmission, but I fixed that no prob, and a transmission oil leak. The factory sound system was pretty much shot, so I replaced it. It has a silly slide out cupholder on the passengers side of the dash, and the center console is poorly made. If you have one, put at least 30 inch tires on it, it looks like its been lifted two inches for a few bucks.

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  Big Horsepower Bang - 2016 Dodge Charger
  By Paul Nieporte - February 23 - 12:58 am

  Great muscle sedan for the price.

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  BEST TRUCK EVER! - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By zippy43 - February 22 - 6:35 pm

  This is my second truck that I have owned and is a way better truck than my 96 Dakota. I was amazed at how well the truck rode more like a car and how the new V6 had better performance over the old 3.9L V6.

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  MY VAN IS POSSESSED! - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By kamih - February 22 - 6:26 am

  We bought our van 2 years ago and we wish we would of never bought it. Shortly after the "used" warranty expired I was stranded because the plastic key would not start the van. My husband had to take apart the whole dash and unplug and re plug in wires to make the van start with the key. There was been numerous times that the windshield wipers will start, the lights blink off and on, and the gauges go off and on. This van had had these issues since 65,000 miles! Recently this has happened and now also the door locks wont work. I wouldnt suggest this van to anyone! I wish we would of bought a Toyota instead. My sister-n-law has a Toyota mini van and has Never had any problems with it

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  Solid - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By Austin Powers - February 22 - 1:50 am

  I love it! Few quirks, overall good SUV.

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  Good safe car! - 1997 Dodge Intrepid
  By mel - February 21 - 4:03 pm

  We bought this car new, very few problems. We did regular maintenance, and it took care of us. Air conditioning went out early, however was covered under warranty. We handed the car down to our daughters for their use. My 21 year old had a hard rollover accident recently with the car (slippery roads). I was very gratefull that I saw her before I saw the car, as she suffered a broken collar bone. When I saw the car, I did not recognize the vehicle as ours. I thought the top was cut off, but it was pushed down that far! I am not at all certain that my daughter would have faired as well in a lesser car...Thank God the Intrepid held up the way it did.