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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  Liked my Intrepid until year #3 - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By Yates - August 24 - 10:00 am

  My car has been great until the last six months. Ive had to replace the speed sensor ($200), light switch sensor $200), now the air conditioner evaporator ($1200)and the security system goes off whenever since I had the a/c checked. Its been back in the shop twice and they cant find the problem. So, until six months ago, I loved my Interpid but now Im not sure if Im going to keep it and wonder what will go wrong next!

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  Dodge Dakota Quad Cab - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By George Barnett - August 24 - 2:00 am

  Like the looks of the vehicle but the poor quality qickly caught my attention. Tires were an issue from the test drive, dealer replaced 2 before I replaced the whole set, engine pulled at 18k and new seals installed, electrical problem, brake caliper and brakes completely replaced at 24K, dealer said was normal, dealer says control arms needed replacing about the same time. Rattles developed in the dash (which drove us crazy) never got them quited down) along with the bed which I later found was not fasten on straight. Plastic fastners came loose around windshield and on firewall. I understand why the dealership high pressured the extended warranty.

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  Still a show-stopper after 10 years - 1994 Dodge Viper
  By MattGutberlet - August 23 - 2:00 am

  After wanting one since I first laid eyes on it at age 12, I finally picked up my own last year. Its hard to imagine that simply buying a car can change your life, but own one of these for a little while and all of the sudden, the first question out of everyones mouth is "did you bring the Viper? Hows the Viper doing? Have the Viper out this weekend?" The performance is outrageous. Creature comforts are severely lacking, but you should have known that going in. This car isnt for everybody, but if youre a true muscle car enthusiast, it all makes perfect sense.

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  Awesome Car - 2004 Dodge Intrepid
  By Lorri1968 - August 23 - 2:00 am

  This is the best car I have purchased. I love the look, the feel the comfort and reliability. It feels great to drive such a classy car. The gas mileage isnt bad either, about 25 miles per gallon on a regular basis. What an awesome car this is!!

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  favorite car - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By Titanic3i - August 23 - 2:00 am

  Love to drive the car realy enjoy it.

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  Great truck - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By davestar - August 22 - 2:00 am

  I bought this truck brand new and since I have spent next to nothing on repairs. it is the perfect size and has plenty of room for me and the family. the box size is a bit small. Love the truck .

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  So far so good! - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By horn1 - August 22 - 2:00 am

  Good experience with buying....Sticker Price was $25,600, but I got them down to $16,500 after negotiation and rebates. Awesome deal! I love the look of the truck and it has good power for a V6. Lots of Room inside. Hope it is reliable!

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  My Grand Caravan - What fun! - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Grand Caravan - August 21 - 7:26 am

  I love being able to get in, turn the key, & go! If I do run into any problems, a phone call to the dealer takes care of it. If I have a problem on tne road, a call for Chysler Roadside Assistance gets me help in a very short time. And repairs take very little time at all. It does make the drive into Seattle very easy, and one I would not even contemplate without my Grand Caravan.

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  Love it! - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By THE9TH1 - August 21 - 6:16 am

  Bought this in May, took a 2600 mile road trip 2 weeks later. Got excellent gas mileage for a AWD crossover vehicle (averaged about 24 mpg). The DVD/Rear entertainment system was a lifesaver for our kids. Already had to replace the radio though. Not a big deal, just a couple hours in the shop. Still trying to figure out all the options that the radio has. Hopefully the updated CD we got in the mail this week fixes the problems we had with it. Love the amount of room and the storage compartments. Glad we went with all the options the SXT had to offer. We use all of them!

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  I thought this was a nice car until - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Erica Ruckh - August 19 - 2:16 am

  I am a mother of a 18 month old boy. I have always driven a truck and didnt want to drive a mini van. I found that the Magnum had the fun look I wanted and a V8. So far since I have owned this car it has been a good car. I liked the way the car handles and the power. I also liked the comfort of the car. On February 17th 2006 I was driving at 5:30 in rush hour traffic with my baby and my transmission went out. Thank god I was not on the expressway. I do not drive this car hard at all and there should be no reason a new car should have transmission problems.