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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  Long term Grand Caravan Sport - 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Caravan - October 14 - 5:46 am

  Owned the car for 10 years now. Got us through 2 kids, friends, 20 Nascar events to Texas Motor Speedway. Car has been garage kept for 10 years, spent its whole life shuttling kids in a 10 mile radius. Just now starting to have oil leaks. Belt tensioner was fixed 2 years ago (loud-but did not effect performance or reliability) and is starting to make noise again. We have the sport, its comfortable as far as vans go. Went through 3 sets of tires in 10 years. Ignition cylinder locked out 2 times in 10 years, both times had to be dragged out of garage. Overall, a good local kid hauler for 10 years. Time for a sportier Volvo next week! Goodbye minivan!

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  Old Reliable - 2005 Dodge Stratus
  By dingo9 - October 14 - 2:00 am

  Excellent family transportation, good fuel economy, stylish, carries lots of cargo (camping gear), comfortable for long highway drives (8 hours). I like it! My previous car was another Stratus, which still ran great after 187000 miles!

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  Joyful but concerned - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By cheryl - October 13 - 11:50 am

  I really love my car except the gas mileage keeps getting worse. I used to get 340 to 360 miles to the tank and now Im lucky to get 300. Ive been told it depends on the driver and the conditions but Im not the only one complaining. Maybe Dodge will take notice and fix this.The seats are wonderful! I have a bad back and these seats make all the difference after a long drive. Take off isnt fast but after first gear, youre really moving. It hugs corners very well but the blind spot needs improvement. The arm rest could be more sturdy and maybe have less rattling when extended. I really didnt pay attention to the interior problems until the gas mileage started going down. It makes me worry more.

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  Like a kid again! - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By normko - October 13 - 8:53 am

  Ill be 81 years old next month and just purchased my 92nd. car, including collector cars, a 2007 Solar Yellow RT. As an attention getter it rivals my Magnum RT. There are few adjectives that can deacribe how I feel about this car. It is smooth, quiet, handles well, and has great mid range accelleration. With over 1600 miles gas mileage tank fulls have been a low of 22.3 and a high of 27.2 MPG.

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  dont do it - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By Jimmy1 - October 13 - 2:00 am

  My good friend bought a used 1999 intrepid with about 109k miles on it. With in a couple months, the engine seized up. As I look at other reviews, I am surprised the car made it as long as it did. Other things he has had problems with catalytic converter went out, problems with the electrical - there is a loose wire somewhere, and now to start the car, one of the doors has to be open. The battery is a full days job to replace, as is the alternator (you have to take off the radiator fans). After changing the battery and fixing a flat tire, we had 3 of the lug nuts come right off with the bolts. This car shouldnt have ever been put out for use by the public

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  a good choice is you need a minivan - 2004 Dodge Caravan
  By Dad of 2 - October 12 - 2:00 am

  My new caravan sxt is a company vehicle. Certainly beats the typical sedans.

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  My Grand Caravan - 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Handyman - October 11 - 4:53 am

  I bought my 2003 Sport Grand Caravan from an auto dealer on winter of 2006 with 139000km on it. Before I took it off from the dealer I put a new battery since its winter. After 3 years, I have now 189500km in my odometer. In this period the only parts Ive changed are the brake pads, the rotor disc, 1 headlamp bulb, wiper blades and a set of spark plugs. I could feel shudder in 1st & 2nd gear but not frequent. The signal light handle does not turn back. Though I dont consider this as a great minivan, but if youre a careful owner this car can last.

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  sweet little car - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By newsrt - October 11 - 2:00 am

  Very pleased/surprised with the performance of the car, have driven about 3500 miles so far with no flaws whatsoever apparant. Would highly reccomend car to anyone seeking reliable, functional, and fast transportation at a great price.

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  BIGGEST mistake of my life! - 1994 Dodge Intrepid
  By MDS2004tg - October 10 - 2:00 am

  A truely awfule car. Bought the car at 72,000 miles. In 30,000 miles I had to have the following replaced or rebuilt: Engine, transmition-twice, starter- three times, cam berrings, inner tie rods-twice, AC-three times. Paint is peeling and the gas mileage is terrible. Instead of having a car free of worry, I drove around with a sick fear of what was going to happen next. I will never, never, never buy a Dodge again. Kelly Blue Book value of my 94 Dodge Intrepid? $223. Horrible

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  First New Car. - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Devilrock31 - October 10 - 2:00 am

  I was shopping for a new car and went to many other dealerships. I saw this vehicle and thought it was very sporty. I drove the car and the ride was smooth and the features were very good and good space for traveling.The deal I got was incredible and this dealership in Philly,pa bent over backwards to please.