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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  hot for the price - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By IGOFAST - February 18 - 2:00 am

  try it you will like it

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  Great SUV if maintained - 2010 Dodge Nitro
  By ralph kennedy - February 17 - 11:43 pm

  Not produced anymore. This SUV was built on a Liberty Chassis. I have 160k on it and the front end needed prop shafts at about 125k. I think the SUV is comparable with most others in its class. I also put both front struts in and upper control arms. I feel this is normal for the mileage. So if you are buying and older Nitro have a mechanic check the front end.

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  06 Charger Daytona Go-Man-Go #996 of 4k - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By tracey lehfeld - February 17 - 10:00 pm

  My wife and I purchased this car 3 months to the day and it has been the best car we ever had. It is a lot quicker than our 03 Mustang GT we traded in. A lot more comfortable as well. We get a lot of stares going down the street because of the color. The 5.7 Hemi is very good, dependable, and quick as well as the 5spd autostick. It handles like a sportscar,and the fact it has independent rear suspension, that was a big plus. The interior is very nice and roomy lots of space for the passengers in back. It doesnt have that plastic smell that most interiors have either. The trunk is exceptionally large and the fact the rear seats fold down is a plus. This will be a car to last a long time.

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  Pretty cool - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By superd - February 17 - 9:03 pm

  I got my Nitro 2 weeks ago yesterday, and have to say its much better than I thought it would be. I get more looks in this truck than people get in more expensive SUVs, and its fun to drive.

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  As good as the old cabs and cop cars - 1999 Dodge Dakota
  By Bob Herbert - February 15 - 6:26 pm

  Sure it may not be as stylish as some or as fast as others, but it is a nice ride comfortable on long trips. Average gas mileage, and reliable to a fault....83k and a set of plugs and wires, and a water pump....my wifes GMC Yukon has had over a grand of repairs in the same time....

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  10 YEARS & WONDERFUL - 1995 Dodge Spirit
  By marcia - February 15 - 3:02 pm

  Had this car brand new and 10 years going strong. Extremely reliable and great ride. Gone to trade in several times and could not justify because of its excellent performance and smooth ride. Built solid. Gonna drive it till it dies. Saving to give to son because of its features.

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  All Go & Cannot Stop - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By C. Stueve - February 14 - 11:29 pm

  This is my second Dakota in the last 3 years. I looked at the new Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon & passed up both, along with my GM Employee discount for another Dakota. For my kids & hobbies I could not do without the 4 doors.

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  Great first car - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By Josh B - February 14 - 1:30 pm

  A great first car. Good looking, friends love it. I got the stick shift and its a blast to drive. Handles great, except not in the rain so much, and it tends to get stuck a lot on large piles of snow. Easy to modify, I added a tachometer, foglights, and remote control locks. Great pickup and very fast, I beat my friends Saab 900 in a couple of races. All in all a great car, cheap to maintain. Ive put 12000 miles on it in the last 8 months (which brings it to 96000 miles) and havent had to do anything to it other than change the spark plugs. Id definitely buy another one.

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  00 Dodge Dak 3.9L ext cab 2wd - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By Matt - February 14 - 12:02 pm

  Have owned this truck from 00 to present. This has to be the best vehicle I have ever purchased. I have had this truck in the garage once for the check engine light. The problem was a faulty gas cap. Other than routine maitenance...I have not had one problem! (knock on wood). Nice ride for a truck. I am thouroughly displeased with the 05 design. Looks like the new Mitsubishi Raider is going to be my future purchase...same truck with better warranty.

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  I like it! - 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By B. OBrien - February 13 - 5:46 pm

  Purchased the vehicle used with 15k miles....have never had any problems of any kind. The engine has plenty of power and the power sliding doors and lift gate are great for our two kids. The interior could be a little more luxurious, but it is certainly adequate. Overall, it is very nice vehicle for families. The stock tires were pretty lousy, especially in the rain. We replaced them with Goodyear Assurance TripleTreds and it was a HUGE improvement. We also had to replace the front brakes at 27k miles.