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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  My First Car - 1998 Dodge Dakota
  By mrken3235 - November 1 - 2:00 am

  Ok well it wasnt really my first car, but my second to first. I love my truck. I have the 5.2 liter V-8 that will do anything you want it to, but will drink gas. I used to go from southwest Michigan to mid Minnesota quite frequently. The trip would cost $100 just in gas one way! Oh well, what do you expect with a big V-8 though? Ive had my share of problems with it. Although I found out that it had been in an accident prior to my ownership of it. I would definitely recomend one of these and would probably get a new 2005 if they werent so ugly and if they had the hemi.

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  DOWNSIZED - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By SAMIAM - November 1 - 2:00 am

  I RECENTLY FOUND IT NESSESARY TO DOWNSIZE FROM A 2003 MALIBU LS TO THIS 2004 NEON SXT. THIS LOWERED MY PAYMENT BY ABOUT $100.00 A MONTH. WHAT I DIDNT KNOW WAS THAT IT WOULD COST ABOUT $200.00 A YEAR MORE TO INSURE, AND I LIKED THE 70,000 MILE DRIVETRAIN WARRANTY UNTIL I FOUND OUT THAT THE ROUTINE MAINTENCE WAS SOMETHING THAT COULD VOID THE WARRANTY IF NOT THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE WAS NOT FOLLOWED.

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  I liked it so much I sold the Benz - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By ustbond - October 30 - 2:00 am

  My CLK 430 was in for service and the dealer gave me an 04 Durango loaner. As a car snob was I mad I could not get a Benz, but after about 10 minutes I really liked it, and it didnt even have a Hemi! After having it all weekend, I found it to be one of the best cars/SUVs I have ever driven. Two weeks later, I traded the Benz in on an 04 Limited (I did have to get the Hemi), and have loved it ever since. Before I bought it, I did test drive all the others, and they could not even come close to this car. The Hemi is a must, but dont test drive a Hemi with plans of getting the smaller engine, because you wont. Ride is great, POWER is the best and comfort could not be better.

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  This machine is awesome. Way to go Dodge! - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By SE FOLGADO - October 29 - 3:06 pm

  Awesome car. Drives great, very comfortable. Great gas mileage due to MDS. Way to go Dodge! I wouldnt change anything. Perhaps just add one more color. A nice light blue that Dodge already has. They have the Dodge Ram trucks in a nice light blue. I think the Charger would look great in that color! Otherwise, its an awesome car. I highly recommend it. Its worth every penny! I love it!

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  Dodge Has Abandoned Quality - 2005 Dodge Caravan
  By MyMinivanSucks - October 29 - 2:00 am

  The Dodge Caravan is the worst built van I have owned. The doors dont work as advertised, the clock spring (controls the Air Bags) is broken, and the air conditioned is leaking. And, to top it off, the are calling everything "wearable parts" in order to keep from covering it under warrantee!!!! Avoid Chrystler and their products like the plague until they get their products from falling apart after leaving the lot!

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  Verrrry Unreliable - 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By rs2025 - October 28 - 9:23 pm

  I just traded in my van with 88K miles for a 2012 Honda CRV. This was my 3rd Dodge van and Dodge should be embarrassed by the quality. I will no longer purchase a Chrysler product. Issues: Head gasket, Water pump, Steering rack (I was told I now need anther one) Valve covers needed new seals, Tie rods on both sides, Power side doors - one does not work and the other needs replacement motor, Air Conditioning - Dodge paid for part of the repair because issue was the design with mis-matched metals that causes leaks, Van is rusting and dealer repaired under warranty but not all rust issues, ignition harness, starter - I have no more space but more issues!!

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  Unreliability overshadows looks - 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By CR - October 28 - 2:20 pm

  I bought this minivan new because it was the best looking of all the minivans at the time. It had an unusually (for a minivan) sporty look plus it has a great ride, handled well, was very comfortable on long trips, a luxurious interior and quietness, and offers great peformance with plenty of torque from the 3.8 V6. However, it turned out to be more than a lemon, a real headache. It has had over $5,750 in repairs since 1 week of ownership until now. To list just a few problems: New rear hatch motor, sliding door motor,window motor,new transmission,3 AC,condensor, 2sets rotors, ignition barrel, pwr doorlock, pwr steering ,etc..all before 50,000 miles.

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  Careful on Dodge Neons - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By Sarah423 - October 28 - 2:00 am

  I like my Dodge Neon EXCEPT for the back brake design. They squeal when it rains or snows when you come to a stop. It is SO NERVE wrecking! The car is good otherwise although I think I am headed for transmission problems since there seems to be a hesitation and they are noted for transmission problems. Overall, I feel lucky with mine, after reading others problems with them. Would I buy one again....NO

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  Great little car! - 2001 Dodge Stratus
  By aurinia - October 28 - 2:00 am

  Bought this car used in Jan 2004 when my 94 Jimmy died. Had never driven one before or heard much about them but I got a great deal on it and figured w/ the inline 4cyl it would be good for my 70+ mile roundtrip daily commute. 9 months later, and I honestly love this car! Still doesnt have nearly as much power as my bfs WRX STi (what does? LOL) but its a great car! Ive put over 20K miles on it in 9 months (has 80K on it now)and so far the only things that have been replaced are the tires and the RF wheel bearing. Very, very reliable, looks great and very uncomplicated. Love it!

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  Lemon - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By Scottf - October 28 - 2:00 am

  Bought this truck new in 2001. repairs to date: paint peeled off wheel flares, steering column, steering rack, intermediate steering column, four ball joints, tie-rod end, front pads & rotors, computer, rear bumper(rusted out), driver seat tracks, radio. I dont think I went more than a month without a visit to a dealership. What a poor excuse for a truck.