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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  Best in the Market - 2005 Dodge Caravan
  By Al - January 15 - 5:12 pm

  The most quiet, comfortable of the minivans, excellent brakes and power, and best of all, stow and go seating. it is the best

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  Americas Supercar - 2005 Dodge Viper
  By Gary - January 15 - 3:38 pm

  Say what you wish but this is the second Viper Roadster I have owned and I cannot wait to drive the car whenever I can (which is never often enough). It has astounding adrenalin dripping acceleration, with much improved handling over previous models. Seat to wheel to pedal reach is now so much better and much more comfortable also. Biggest problem I find is that you cannot take it anywhere (i.e. when you go to a nice restaurant etc.) as it atttacts so many people and unfortunately there are very few people today who have respect for others property so they tend to climb all over it with greasy hands and zippered clothing etc. Enough said, save what you can and go buy one, new or used. Enjoy.

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  Mistake to buy Dodge - 2005 Dodge Caravan
  By Amanda - January 15 - 1:07 pm

  Traded 04 Accord EX in for 05 Caravan. Biggest mistake of my life. The Caravan has been in the service department five times for severe steering wheel shaking over 55 mph. They did balancing 2 times, alignment, and replaced one of the tires. Not covered under Lemon Law, because it is still road worthy according to Dodge. Once you go import, dont look back!

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  What is wrong with this car? - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By towerman78 - January 15 - 12:00 am

  At first I thought this might be a good car for the price but, then problems. As they say there is never a good deal, you get what you pay for. I have a stalling and acceleration problem that Bartow Dodge and Fort Myers Dodge cant seem to fix. I even have the full warranty extended to 72/72,000 but what good is it if they cant fix the car huh! This is my second Stratus and one Intrepid and Im done with Dodge...PERIOD.

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  Cant Complain - 1998 Dodge Intrepid
  By Otis - January 14 - 3:00 pm

  I drove my Intrepid 165k miles before having to get rid of it (had 32k at purchase). With only routine maintenance a few medium repairs (Alternator and major brake work) coming in the last 50k miles. Good performance (especially highway), better than average interior, decent mileage for a car of its size and performance specs, and tons of trunk space. If you can find a 1998 and later model with decent mileage, buy it.

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  Excellent Truck - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By Adam - January 13 - 11:24 pm

  I have had this truck since it was brand new. It has been an excellent truck and hasnt given me any problems other than the ball joints, which were easily replaced.

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  Dont get it! - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By samantha - January 13 - 9:10 pm

  I purchased it with 60000 miles, and after 7k miles it needed a head gasket and tires. The floor in the back always leaks, and in the winter the floor on the INSIDE freezes along with the trunk. I had to scrap the inside of the winsheild instead of the outside. The heat takes forever to kick in, and the paint started to chip.

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  Love our mini van - 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Downhill97 - January 13 - 10:00 am

  The van is all we could ask for and more. It is very comfortable with plenty of storage space. When the rear seats are out its off to Home Depot where I can store a 4x12 sheet of plywood flat.

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  Exellent value - 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By sea1967 - January 13 - 2:32 am

  Lots of features for the money. Rides well, gas mileage is good for such a large vehicle. Good power and acceleration.

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  Cool ride - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By Dodgehauler - January 12 - 4:30 pm

  This car is a kick to own. It rides , handles and goes like no other wagon I have ever driven. Great traction control with the all wheel drive system. Works fantasitic in the snow. Tons of leg room both front and back. The steering wheel telescopes in and out but also tilts, combined with the power seats and pedals, its very easy to get a good driving position or change it on a long drive. We are getting 18 mpg around town and 24 on the highway. Not bad for 345 h.p. under your right foot. The look of the car is very deceptive. Looks like a chopped top but Dodge raised the window openings up . Friends and famliy who have been in the car cant belive the room it has inside.