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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  More bark than bite - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By ruffles - November 6 - 12:26 am

  I purchased this R/T on Ebay almost one year ago. Replaced the idler pulley,v-belt, and water pump. Overall, the truck turns heads everywhere I go. Sounds excellent through factory single exhaust (not sure what genius put single exhaust on a performance truck). The truck is fun to drive. Fuel economy is about 14 in the city and 17 on the highway. Truck has a 5.9 v-8 and only produces 250hp. Most hondas with a couple of mods can beat me on any given day. Looks mean, sounds mean, feels mean. Stock with k&n filter runs high 14s in quarter mile.

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  Dodge Grand Caravan SXT - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By bob - November 5 - 12:33 am

  A very versatile, comfortable to drive car. My second car is a BMW 330i. We use the Van far more. More comfortable to drive, more convenient. Reliability has been good through 38,000 miles, but I guess we will see. For a person with a family, this is a nice vehicle. Plenty of power, quiet ands smooth, good visibility, controls well placed. The stow and go seating is great and the electric doors as well.

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  The most comfortable car (and reliable) - 1997 Dodge Intrepid
  By Kherson - November 4 - 4:08 pm

  Bought it with only 52K on it. Owned it for 3.5 years and had almost no problems with it. It is so comfortable and fast enough to make a great everyday as well as highway car. Suspension absorbs all the bumps better than any import in this class. Great mileage for the size. Loved it!

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  Never Again - 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By carnegiemom - November 3 - 10:00 am

  Dodge has replaced the main computer module three times and now it is the wiring harness. We have never had mechanical problems; all electrical. It just dies on the road with no warning. Not reliable for a soccer mom!

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  By comparison unmatched victor - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Xradioguy - November 3 - 10:00 am

  You have to put this up against matched contenders like the Marauder,LS sport, Impala SS and the A4 3.0 and when you do it truly shines. Bang for the buck is an understatement. Use all the hemi can give you and the competition will only see your smile in teh rear view and the gorgeous rear end of the Magnum. Dodge has hit this one out of the park!! Dodge lovers drool and the rest will gawk. It is a love it or leave it style but like the pitch with the PT they will either get it or they wont. Given the number of features that come standard it is a hands down winner I am glad I waited for it.

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  Amazing car!!! - 2005 Dodge Viper
  By snakebite2 - November 3 - 2:00 am

  I have had this car for about a month and it is a blast! I traded in my z06 and at first was skeptical but this blows away a z06. The power is crazy and fun. Not only that. This thing is a real traffic stopper. When I drive by everybody stops and looks espiecally the teenagers at the shopping center. When I pick my kids up from school in it everybody stops and looks. They are rare too. I live in one of the most well off counties in the country and I have seen more ferraris and porsches(byfar) this year than vipers. Not only this they are ridiculoulsy fast. 0-60 in 3.8-3.9 seconds. 1/4 mile in 11.7 at 124 MPH. Top speed of 194 MPH. 60-0 in 97ft (world record.) If you can afford this car, buy!

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  Durango Limited Hemi is a GREAT SUV!!! - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By D-MAN - November 3 - 2:00 am

  My wife says I have an obessive compulsive disorder when it comes to shopping for new vehicles, but she had to admit it paid off this time! We both hate minivans but she is intimidated by HUGE SUVs. We drove Tahoes,Yukons,Expos ect...and nothing seemed to work. Then we came across the Durango, right size, right price, and a HEMI!!! Driving it confirmed this was the vehicle for us! Weve had it for a month now and it just gets better and better. The Hemi is getting 18MPG on the highway and the ride is awesome! Im convinced this thing rides better than a Navigator! Did I mention the Hemi, the thing will spin the tires till the traction control kicks in. Tows my 6000lb boat like nothing!

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  Love It!! - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By SLT Plus - November 2 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this vehicle used and so far have nothing but good things to say. Drove 80 mi. back home from the dealer I purchased it from and yielded a surprising 19 mpg. (highway) with the 5.9 engine. Pretty good considering the other reviews I read. Although I didnt use the overhead computer (I calculated the mileage manually). City driving so far has been 13-15 mpg. Im getting the mileage I expected (it is a SUV after all). Great comfort,great ride,good sounding radio,spacious and good looks.

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  1999 Dodge Neon Coupe - 1999 Dodge Neon
  By kbuhl - November 1 - 2:00 am

  Good car until about 60,000 miles, lots of rattles. Everything starts wearing out. $2000 in repairs in the last year. I would not buy another used one, or a new one if its only gonna last 60,000 miles.

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  so-so - 1994 Dodge Caravan
  By ssb - November 1 - 2:00 am

  transmissions (2) a/C (2) axel (1) other moderate repairs also needs new gaskets and seals 138,000