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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  Dakota 4-Door 2 Wheel Drive. - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By R Hooge - December 17 - 12:58 pm

  I love the looks and its fun to drive if the roads are dry. Great engine, the V8 is free-revving. The expected gas mileage of 17 city & 22 highway is way too optimistic. I do not drive this vehicle hard & the estiamtes are 15% to 20% too high. Very poor traction & handling on wet roads, the Goodyear Eagles seem to have very poor traction, and I have had lots of flat tires. Corners very well on smooth dry surfaces. Really bounces around on bumpy corners, almost out of control.

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  My truck - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By dockpepper - December 16 - 9:50 pm

  I bought this truck to haul the family, and for my side jobs. It did both very well. The first snow fall was 16", the truck handled it like it was nothing. The gas mileage is the only thing that kills you in the pocket. Otherwise the truck is great.

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  Update and eating my words..... - 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By trafficfdr2 - December 16 - 3:22 pm

  This is an update to a review I wrote when I bought this van used. Nothing but problems. Great concept but loses all around. The problem with the newer pentaster 6 cylinder engine has has the heads rebuilt, but they wont acknowledge a recall. They will fix it after it breaks. Recall on rear window switch dlr disconnected it Chylr has no solution for it. No rear windows. Really! On a minivan. Brakes are garbage and so are the OEM tires, mine separated. Side rear sliders rub on fenders, no fix, gas cap broken=bad gas mileage. And the piece de resistance the drivers window leaks so when it is rolled down the smell that punches you in the face is unbearable. No solution there either.

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  Very Nice - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By clc - December 16 - 2:30 am

  I purchased this vehicle based on its appearance and previous reviews about towing capacity and frame design. It has nice, aggressive lines. It handles well whether on or off road. Previous vehicle was Ford Explorer and wanted something with a larger engine for towing. Plenty of space for cargo inside as well.

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  Average price, average van - 2000 Dodge Caravan
  By EC - December 15 - 10:02 pm

  This is our second Dodge minivan and is a great improvement over the 91 model we owned. At 56,000 miles have had no major problems. Brake pads and front rotors seem to wear quickly, and belt tensioner failed at 50,000. Transmission makes buzzing noise when shifting, but have heard this on other Chrysler vehicles. Just hope the tranny stays together! Great for long trips and plenty of room...fairly quiet, too. 3.0 Mitsu engine has been reliable, but could use more power on long hills at highway speed. So far for the money, this has been a good vehicle.

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  Pleasure Vehicle - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By Luckydawg - December 15 - 6:59 pm

  I couldnt be more pleased with the Durango LTD 2WD, unless one could figure how to squeeze a few more MPGs out of it. It rides like a dream on the road. The Hemi gives it extreme power. The infinity sound system is awesome. I also love the roominess & its a great tailgating vehicle.

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  our best Mopar - 2004 Dodge Intrepid
  By sandra - December 15 - 10:34 am

  Intrepid is best Mopar we have eve owned. Will certainly buy another.

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  The Beast!!! - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Icedmanx - December 15 - 10:00 am

  I have purchased many cars over the years, this car is the BEAST!!! I purchased, the RT, in the black, and find that everyone is happy with my choice of color. I have gotten more looks, stares, questions, finger pointing and finger prints on the windows, than I can count. This is a fun car to drive, and is not your fathers stationwagon!!!

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  Yes it has a HEMI - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By Sixguns - December 15 - 10:00 am

  I am writing this review after clocking my first 1000 miles in my 2004 Durango. This vehicle replaced my 2001 Durango. What an improvement! The new body style is more attractive and stylish. The fit and finish of the exterior and interior is great. The best improvements were in the cabin of the vehicle. Better gauge cluster, layout of dash, comfort of seating, new steering wheel and even the placement of the front and rear air vents and dash-mounted defroster registers. Thrid row seats are easier to fold than older model thanks to pull straps on the seat backs. Getting the seat backs upright is easier too because of this and no more having to climb inside and lift up the bottom cushion.

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  Really Unfortunate - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By BOPer - December 15 - 7:09 am

  My wife and I had to buy a big SUV. We needed the size and safety for our 2 girls. We chose the 2004 Durango for the power, comfort, style and the $3,500.00 rebate. Our Durango was the most comfortable vehicle I have ever driven. Well, as luck would have it, one day a passenger noticed air coming through the door jam of the left rear door. A few days later, my wife felt the Durango try to drive away while she was stopped at a red light. Our new SUV was in the shop 6 times within 3 months for the same air conditioning problems . To sum it up: I successfully hired a lawyer to get all my money back under the California Lemon Law.