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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  The family truckster - 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By 5kids - September 21 - 6:26 pm

  We bought our Grand Caravan used as a one owner. Its now got over 90,000 miles and weve loved it since the day we bought it! I have 5 kids and it works wonderfully for transporting my family. Its big enough for all of us to ride in comfort, but I have no problems getting it in and out of parking spots. Were going on 3 years of ownership and have put on 35,000+ miles without a single problem or trip to the dealership and still going strong!

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  Very inexpensive to own - 1992 Dodge Shadow
  By Bnad - September 21 - 2:00 am

  I paid about $8,500 for this car in 1993. Im very happy with the repair record until just the last year, the car just has never needed repairs. The car is a V6 with plenty of power and Ive never had a major problem with it. The body metal has lasted very well the clutch has nearly 100,000 miles on it. The biggest problem right now is a squeak from the sway bar bushings, which the mechanic has convinced me is harmless. This is really the requiem for my car as the paint is faded, the clutch has started to slip, and I dont think its worth it to replace it. But this has been a very cheap car to own, and great performance for the money.

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  cool car - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By video0512 - September 21 - 2:00 am

  For the most part I have never had any problems with this car. I just never really enjoyed the ride and handling, especially for this to be a sport coupe. This car is not a great handler.

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  DURANGO - 2001 Dodge Durango
  By Kevin P - September 21 - 2:00 am

  We bought this a few months back and are extremely pleased. Great family SUV. Has plenty of room our 3 children and all the extra stuff they like to take when going on long trips. Also pulls a camper very well.

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  NEON SRT-4 - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By MARK - September 20 - 10:00 am

  THIS CAR IS BALSA AWSOME POWER AND TOURQ THE TRANY IS TIGHT BUT COULD BE CLOSER BUT ITS GOOD FOR NOW.

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  versatility and veloscity - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Randy Mccammon - September 20 - 10:00 am

  It has been a positive experience in a short time. Fit and Finish are first rate. Versatility and Veloscity do meet.

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  Awesome - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By RPete - September 20 - 10:00 am

  This is the best riding Dodge I have ever owned. Ordered in May finally arrived July 22nd. Now have 1700 miles on it and have enjoyed every one of them. Ordered it fully loaded with the exception of the roof rack and Im having a great time figuring everything out including the hands free telephone. This is a vehicle that will make you feel young again.

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  all around suv HEMI - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By 04 MOPAR - September 20 - 10:00 am

  go with the hemi!

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  American Made - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By squidward20 - September 20 - 2:00 am

  I looked to purchase this vehicle after I realized the Toyota Tacoma was too rich for my blood. I am very happy with the engine power and build quality. Plenty of storage in this vehicle. I feel that the ride of the Dakota is very carlike as opposed to the Tacoma which drives like a truck. Would recommend this vehicle to anyone who wants a great value for the money.

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  Love My Truck? - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By madmadwizard - September 20 - 2:00 am

  I considered many trucks of many makes, styles and sizes. The Dakota met my family/hobby/work needs best so I found the right one and bought it. Ive owned it for nearly a year now and I have no regrets. The 4.7L Magnum mill pushes just the right amount of power while the 4-wheel anti-lock disc brakes unfailingly reel that power back. My family of five can comfortably make longish journeys in it while the HWY mileage doesnt kill our finances. The 4X4 grabs the ground nicely!