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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  SRT-4 Review - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Jason SRT-4 - August 14 - 10:00 am

  Awesome bang for your buck performance ride! Already three months old and I still get an ear to ear grin everytime I get into it. With just a few minor performance modificatons (provided by Mopar), my car is already putting down 280hp to the wheels.. I just cant get over the fun to drive aspect of this car! I definitly think there is a direct correlation between my right foot and a smile on my face!

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  SRT-4 - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By P-38lightning - August 14 - 10:00 am

  INcredibly fun to drive, and the best performance that you can get in the price range.

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  Grand Caravan SXT - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By ponypwr - August 14 - 10:00 am

  Just bought a 2005 Grand Caravan SXT. Love the Stow and Go, and for the price, nothing can touch this van. The DVD is great and we really like the storage console between the seats. This is our fifth minivan, and the best yet.

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  Viper GTS Coupe - 2002 Dodge Viper
  By Scott17 - August 14 - 2:00 am

  Car is a thrill to drive non stop attention great car for the money. The only negetive comment...inside of vehicle get way too hot

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  Love my Intrepid - 2004 Dodge Intrepid
  By Tyran - August 14 - 2:00 am

  I love this car. Handles and corners beautifully. 3.5 6 cylinder delivers great acceleration and performance. Mine has a spoiler which I think further enhances the body design. If I were able to change one thing it would be the inferior interior, should have more color options except the dull grey. Im not a leather fan.

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  An Awesome Ride - 2005 Dodge Caravan
  By Punchy - August 14 - 2:00 am

  This is my fourth Dodge Caravan. It all just seems to get better and better. I recently took a trip to South Carolina and I noticed that as I broke the engine in the mileage kept creeping up. Upon my return to Texas I was getting 26.5 miles per gallon. Comfortable ride made my driving experience more enjoyable. When I stopped for the night, took two days to get back, I never felt "dead-dog" tired. I could have gone further, but I am not one to push it. The new features are right on. All in all the family really enjoys this vehicle. Dodge all the way!

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  Junker - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By Michael Arthur - August 14 - 2:00 am

  Front-end parts ware out way too easy 30000 tierod ends gone out 35000 Ball joints gone

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  I love it!!!!!!!!11 - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By compyx86 - August 14 - 2:00 am

  WOW what can i say that has not aready been said.. it is fun to drive all kinds of power lots of room and good on gas all you could ever what to have in a pick up i looked at a lot of pickups before buying this one like the chevy colarodo it can not hold a candel next to my dakota i would recamend it to everone

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  2004 Dodge Dakota Sport Quad Cab V-8 - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By 1st dodge - August 14 - 2:00 am

  This is my first new dodge. So far i am nothing but impressed. I have only put 550 miles on it, had it 3 days. I bought the V-8,had trucks with v-6 didnt like the power. Let me tell you i love the V-8 power, four full size doors and it looks awesome. Rides great on the highway, not much wind noise.The only thing i can see as a drawback to this truck is the gas mileage. First tank 12mpg. If this gets better i will be truly happy with my first dodge.

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  Better than a SUV - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By kvll - August 13 - 2:06 am

  Just the leather package and sunroof on this SXT AWD. At 6000 miles reliability has been good. Found random squeaks that will appear for a while then vanish for a month - one was the rear cargo cover when it was extended. Its a great freeway car, speed control even downshifts to keep the speed constant. In town poor visibility can be a problem for backing up, same as a Pacifica I drove. Im up to 18 mpg in the suburbs driving gently, get 22 hwy. In hindsight, I would have got the protection group, cloth seats, better radio/speakers. This is a very solid, versitile car for active people. I got it despite the styling, but some of you may like it.