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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  Very surprised - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Pat Lippy - January 9 - 9:04 am

  Was looking for a daily driver for my wife. She had a 96 Ford Windstar and my kids are grown, so I was looking for something good on gas. After looking at Corolla, Scion, Protege, and Aveo, I decided on the Neon. Got the best price (leftover 2004), more of the "creature comforts" (CD player, AC, power everything) and the dealership was offering free maintenance and tires as long as you own the car - now how can you beat that? The resale of the car concerns me but my wife had her Windstar for nine years and never complained, so I hope to have this car as long. She is happy and so am I but I never, ever, thought I would own a Dodge - had a bad Omni experience years ago.

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  could have been really great - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By eurocarfan - January 7 - 9:50 pm

  Dodge had soo much potential with this vehicle...but they messed up. Literally the cheapest interior I have ever seen. Engine is underpowered, but keep in mind that it does compete with the likes of Fit/Yaris/Aveo in its most basic trim like mine. This vehicle rattles, squeaks, and just doesnt have a good personality. The CVT is a nice change of pace for this class. Overall, if youre looking for a compact hatchback, Mazda3 and Subaru Impreza 5-doors will definately be far superior vehicles. The subaru costs almost the same, has STANDARD stability control, better safety, far more power, and of course the best AWD system. Impreza 5-dr vs. Caliber? the Subies a K.O. all the way

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  Fun to drive - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By Doug - January 7 - 2:00 pm

  I bought the car to comute to work ($4200/63K miles). Ive done zero maintance in the two years Ive driven it (no oil changes). It has never broke down. I wash it twice a year whether it needs it or not. Its been the cheepest car Ive owned.

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  Been a real good car - 1997 Dodge Avenger
  By chuwig - January 7 - 11:10 am

  This car has been a really good, reliable car. Its sporty, fun to drive. For the most part, its had normal maintenance. Only major exspense was a tie rod and strut, for about $650, at about 84,000 miles! The right door lock needs to be replaced, at about $150. Other than that, great car for a single person! Car seat friendly, big back seat. No room for a tall person! Especially in passenger side!! The front seats are very compact. Very exspensive tires!At about $150 a piece Goodyear only lasted about a year, finally went to Kumo at about $120 a piece. Still exspensive. A lot of engine noise, especially on highway when accelerating.

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  1999 Dodge Stratus-150HP DOHC - 1999 Dodge Stratus
  By Mike- IL - January 7 - 12:01 am

  Overall not a bad car. Lets face it, the car is not a Mercedes but nice nonetheless. Power is adequate, cabin noise is average creature comforts are a little sparse but one can get by. I have 96,000 miles on mine and plan to get something else only because I am ready for a change..cant kill this thing..( I have not tried, and I have maintained it very well) Besides routine maintenance I have had only 1 problem and that was my drivers side window motor needed to be replaced at about 60K. I replaced my timing belt by choice at 90K and the waterpump as well.. I saw the belt the mechanic pulled..did not look too bad..could have let that go but wanted to make it through the cold Chicago winter.

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  New Durango - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By Joanie - January 6 - 8:06 pm

  We just got our Durango in May but have already taken it on a vacation and it was great. We had a van before but this is much roomier and drives great. You feel like youre on your living room sofa.

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  Love my Durango - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By L Parker - January 6 - 7:45 am

  Handles very well, 22 mpg hwy Hemi with 3:55 Rear Axle, 16mpg in town. Tows my 6000 Boat with no effort, the Tow Mode is great. Just towed back from VA a 6X12 Uhaul about 3500 lbs 16 MPG and no effort. Just a great vehicle, too bad most Dodge Dealers are so in the 80s. I think they pass out 5 star ratings to anyone.

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  SRT-4 Rule - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Chris - January 5 - 6:45 pm

  i have put over 28,000 miles on it in less than a year.so ask yourself if you think it is fun to drive!

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  Excellent, Inexpensive and lots of style - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By dodge_gal - January 5 - 5:06 pm

  I have had this car for 16 months and 23000 miles. Ride and handling are very good. Very reliable, awesome styling, especially for a single mom with two boys ages 13 and 9. They LOVE this car. Mileage is great I routinely get 30+ mpg and that is normal driving, no highways. This car is a 5 speed. Im smiling all the way to the gas pumps! For a front wheel drive sporty car, it is the best handling car Ive had in the snow and winter weather. And this car does not have ABS either.

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  One of the best - 1998 Dodge Stratus
  By Michael - January 5 - 1:07 pm

  Without question, the best car I ever owned. This would include: Toyota, Mitshubishi, Ford, Saturn. The car handles superbly and the V6 has plenty of punch while delivering a very nice MPG. Reliability has been excellent and with 90,000 miles, no problems. A tremendous value!