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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  Keeps on going - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By Jeff in Denver - February 3 - 11:39 pm

  I have had this car since new and it does have some issues. cam sensors, heater fan is either off or on high. However, car has never left me stranded by the side of the road, gets good gas mileage for its size, and its a great interstate touring car. Transmission line leaks a little(only in winter) Yes,I would buy another.

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  2005 Dakota Rocks - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By paints98 - February 2 - 11:23 pm

  This is the third brand new Dodge Dakota I have owned in the last year. All three were bought brand new, the 2005 is by far the best of them all! It rides better, looks better and the new design is really awesome. I had some kinda of trouble with both of the 2004s, all minor in nature, but NONE with my 2005. The ride is really smooth, it handles great! I also like the head rests added to the back seats, for added safety. My first 2004 Dakota was totalled in a wreck when a lady crossed the center line & hit me, so I can really appreciate the added safety features.

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  Great Truck - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By Jack - February 2 - 10:33 pm

  My Dakota has the 4.7L V8, which was not one of the choices on your drop- down menu. The V8 is the only way to go. Power, economy (Rated 1 MPG better than the 3.7) and that cool V8 sound. The horsepower is a good match with the size of the vehicle. I tested the 3.7 and there is no comparison. There is no part of the truck that I can complain about. The ride is stiff, but it is a truck. Must haves are the heated seats and the Sirius Satellite radio. I almost regret getting the 6 Disc CD changer because with what Sirius has to offer, I will probably never play a CD again.

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  Navy Jim - 2005 Dodge Caravan
  By Jim - February 2 - 9:39 pm

  Great van for the price. Its the third caravan Ive owned since 1995. Great bargain for a tight budget, lots of room, fun to drive, and has good insurance rates. Have gotten really good fuel mileage. Its easy to maintain, Good looking and drives like a dream. Ive really enjoyed it since I bought it.

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  Dakota R/T - 1999 Dodge Dakota
  By harold powell - February 2 - 7:17 pm

  Very nice vehicle. I had a Chevrolet S10 prior to this vehicle and the Dodge beats it in every catogory. The big V8 make the truck a real sleeper and will out run most of the foreign junk. As long as there are American vehicles like this, I will never go foreign.

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  It rocks - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By mrwilliematt - February 2 - 2:12 pm

  Just bought a 2005 Dodge Dakota Larimie Quad Cab 4WD, V8. I traded in a 2003 Dakota Quad Cab 2WD with the 3.9 V6. The 2005 rides, handles, and sounds way better than the 2003. I also gets better mileage. I am getting around 17 on the 2005 compared to 15 on the 2003. I know a lot of people do not care for the looks of this truck but as a driver it is light years ahead on the previous model Dakota.

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  1993 Stealth ES--Ultimate Sleeper - 1993 Dodge Stealth
  By StealthDriver - February 2 - 1:47 am

  This is one of the best cars ever produced. Its also one of the best sleepers. A little heavy for a sports car but makes up for it in accleration, cornering, and all around style. I have owned two of them and I wish that parts were more common and that people would pay for what they are worth. From here on out the price will continue to go up like old Camaros and Mustangs. The one thing that I dont like is how much a timing belt and water pump cost to change (600-1000 bucks!). With an exhaust, chip and turbo upgrade the R/T tt will beat Vipers, Corvettes, and just about anything else.

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  Awesome car - 1990 Dodge Daytona
  By Eric - February 1 - 10:31 pm

  Greatest car I have ever driven. I bought it with a minor idle problem and thats all, I had to clean out a "vent" in the oil pan. Very reliable. There are a lot of people who have gotten 200,000+ miles out of the V6 :). It spent two weeks parked outside during a -20 weather spell and turned over once or twice before it started. It also handles beautifully and accellerates quite well. You may have a bit of trouble finding body kits, engine mods, etc., but they are out there. The interior is great too, as long as you dont look at the rear seats. The front seats have plenty of leg room as long as you dont have anyone sitting in the rear. They really could have just taken the rear seats out..

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  SXT? - 2003 Dodge Caravan
  By JSlezak - February 1 - 10:27 pm

  We purchased our Caravan late in the 03 model year (there were already 04s on the lot) and paid about $19000 brand new. Our van is labeled as an SXT even though it is actually an SE with some extras. An end of year model change-up? I am really happy with the van and over the past year it has held up well. Only one small problem, the drivers side power window has failed on two occasions. It seems to happen during cold weather and once the vehicle is warm it is fine again. We looked at Toyota and Honda but both were much more expensive and didnt offer the same features without purchasing big packages. For the price you cant beat Dodge. A very good family oriented vehicle.

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  Been a mess to own... - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Jessica - February 1 - 3:36 am

  This car has been a mess to own. My parents originally owned the car and had to pour almost $3000 in the last 3 years into this poor thing. Weve replaced a good 3 or 4 batteries, a piston malfunctioned and cracked the cam shaft (that was 1500 right there), electronic throttle control went out (and its also starting to go out AGAIN), and a few other small things here and there. Now at the age of 18 I purchased the car from them so I could have it for college. Now im terrified to drive it. Ive had a few times where the car wont even start because the electronic throttle control is acting up again, and when its not doing that the car really struggles to turn on sometimes. Acceleration is not too great either. I understand that its not a huge truck and it doesnt have a huge engine, but its still pretty wimpy. Now the car is starting to make creaking sounds ALL the time, and with it being this car im not too surprised its happening. The car is definitely comfy, has a nice interior, and gets great gas mileage...but I would never ever recommend anyone buy this car. It is not reliable. Im looking to trade it in for a Toyota 4Runner ASAP.