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:

• 

  Cant Beat Durango - 1998 Dodge Durango
  By Dodge at Heart - November 11 - 3:44 pm

  I had to put a fuel pump in at 55,000 miles and then again at 140,000 miles. At 6 years 2 months I had to replace the orignal battery. At 172,350 miles I had to replace the water pump. At 195,000 miles I had to replace the transmission. It now has 200,350 miles on it and still going strong. The body and color are still in excellent (show room) condition. My sister had a Ford SUV and cant get more then 15,000 miles with out in haven to go in the shop for one thing or another. I am going to buy another one and give this one to my sister. It will be cheaper for her in the long run.

• 

  Exelent Vehicle! - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By Soft Rider - November 11 - 2:12 pm

  Even though I have had this car for a while, new "bonus" item keep appearing! All I can say is that this vehicle has been thought through by the builders to a point beyond expectation! I have been waiting for a vehicle like this for several years. I am ecstatic - I have finally found it! Buy it, you will love it!

• 

  good stuff - 2005 Dodge Viper
  By ccrjohnny5 - November 10 - 4:47 pm

  buying this car was the best money i ever spent. its a hell of a lot of fun to drive if you know how to. And if u have the money to buy gas for a 10 cylinder car then i strongly suggest buying this car.

• 

  Fun Car, Great Price - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By Silky - November 10 - 10:34 am

  Pros: the attractive looks, the power, and the value. I went from a 4 cyl 2001 Accord with lthr seats to this, and it was no step down. These cloth seats are the most comfortable Ive ever sat on in a car. This car is a great value with a heck of a lot of giddyup. The downside is the headroom is atrocious & with the curvature of the door/window I smack my head all the time when trying to check my blind spot. Next, the transmission is rough..stalls under hard braking occasionally and shifts very rough, especially down. Last, the gas mileage is terrible. Im lucky to get 20 mpg on my short daily drives. Overall, though, a great car to drive to its death since resale value stinks.

• 

  Great Car - 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Happy in MT - November 9 - 8:30 pm

  Great van, nice room and have not had any problems since I purchased. Currently have 110,000 miles and have only done routine maintenance.

• 

  i have a hemi too and luv it - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By gee-man - November 9 - 7:25 pm

  this is my 2nd durango had an 99 5.9 engine. big difference between the two, i luv my 04 hemi.

• 

  In love.... - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By HEMI WAGON - November 9 - 1:50 pm

  When many people choose form over function, Dodge has come out with a car that finally has both ideas in mind! What is better than having a grocery getter family car that can take on the other V8s and rice burners that tool around town. We are so happy with this car that everytime we see it, it makes us smile. Theres nothing like knowing that when you need the horsepower its there for you. As far as those people who are complaining about it being a gas guzzler, wake up! You have a HEMI so you knew the consequences!

• 

  Love my Durango - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By Durango Man - November 9 - 10:12 am

  This is my first SUV since a 1985 Chev Blazer disaster. (it lived up to its name and caught on fire) I have had several Dodge Ram trucks and have a 2004 regular cab now plus my Durango. This is my first 4 by 4 ever and so far I love it. It is by far the quietiest vehicle I have ever owned (and I have owned probably 45 new ones in my life time). I had a hemi in my Dodge Quad cab I traded in and really wanted a hemi but none were availabe so I settled for the 4.7 and am satisfied with it. . Since I dont tow, the 4.7 engine is more than adequate for this fine machine. It accelarates very well and runs smoothly.

• 

  Street Legal Race Car - 2005 Dodge Viper
  By Jon:M - November 9 - 9:14 am

  While the SRT-10 isnt nearly as stunning as the earlier RT/10 or GTS models, it remains true to Bob Lutzs original concept: it is as close as you can get to a road-course race car for use on the street for less than six figures. And while it isnt designed for it, off-the-shelf quarter-mile times in the 11s isnt too shabby, either.

• 

  Just wont die - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By dexnavigator - November 8 - 9:01 pm

  Bought brand new because it was much more powerful and fun to drive than the Civic, Saturn, Escort and Tercel we also tested. My wife drove daily over 100 miles into the CA desert with no problems. Last year the paint began peeling from the roof and truck, looks bad but Dodge says not warranted. I change the oil every 3K and trans fluid every 50K and had my first problem this year at 125K miles, a leaky sending unit for the oil (~$50 I think) and needed a new lower engine mount. Honestly, I am ready for something different it looks rough, but the car just keeps going. Have heard reports of head gasket probs Mexican builts and DOHCs?