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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  2003 Dakota Quad Cab 4x4 - 2003 Dodge Dakota
  By rembrandt121 - July 31 - 2:00 am

  I had a 1992 Dakota le Extended cab before this 2003 and the improvements are very noticable. The handeling is dramatically improved. The rack and pinion steering coupled with the improved suspension makes this truck handle like a sports car among trucks. The 4.7 V8 has more than enough power to handle most jobs. It doesnt get the best fuel mileage in the industry but it doesnt get the worst either. This truck is fun to drive and can burn up the roads if needed.

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  Computer malfunction - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By suQ - July 31 - 2:00 am

  Within a week of owning the truck, I noticed the automatic was shifting "funny". Around 40-50 mph there was "missing" after shifting into the higher gear. (could put the pedal to the floor and no increased power)It went back to the dealer, in the shop for nearly two weeks. Results were Dodge had a computer problem, no idea when it could be fixed. Dealer admitted several other V-6s on the lot had the same problem. No help from the manufactuer. Went to trade it in on a V- 8, dealer tried to make us take a hit of $4,200 negative equity for truck we had less than 3 weeks.(with two weeks in the shop) They put the defective truck back on the lot and sold it!

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  Best Truck on the Market - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By M - July 31 - 2:00 am

  I have a 4.7 V8 4WD 2002 Dakota. It is the best truck I have ever driven, it has a cab on it and rides and feels like an SUV, but does the work of a truck. I had a Tacoma before this and thought I had the best truck on the market, but the Dakota has the feel of a full size truck for the price of a small size. The interior has an excellent design. I do volunteer EMS and Fire and the truck is perfectly outfitted for this type of work and the V8 has plenty of power to take you wherever you need to go. I added a Tornado Air and have seen a slight improvement in gas mileage.

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  Beware not a car to purchase - 1997 Dodge Neon
  By nfrn - July 29 - 2:00 am

  We bought our 97 Neon new in late 1996 and it has been nothing but trouble. The headgasket has been replaced twice , brakes 3 times and we had it laid up for six months in a garage because it wouldnt start and no one could find the problem ( eventually the third mechanic to look at it found the key chuck had snapped off the end of the cam ). It still has only has 70000 miles on it. For 50000 of those miles I would say oil was leaking from somewhere. The Dodge dealers in Texas were fair to deal with but back here in Newfoundland they were nothing but trouble so we eventually purchased a Saturn.

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  Engine issues - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By Shonda - July 28 - 2:00 am

  I loved this car when I first got it. Its so comfortable and drives really nice. I had a couple of minor issues, which you can always expect when you own a car. The problem came when the oil light started coming on a few months ago. My oil didnt need changed so I didnt undertand the problem. The repair shop told me this is an issue w/ Dodge engines. The oil cannot circulate because of narrow passages and therefore cooks the oil, causing a sludge buildup. After researching I found that this really is a common problem among this car. Just do a search on "oil sludge Intrepid". Now my car has 51,000 miles and will die soon.

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  Ok car, not without its faults - 1999 Dodge Stratus
  By Tleasy - July 28 - 2:00 am

  Front seats are not very comfortable. Not recommended for long trips. History of trouble with heads on motor. Common problem at around 60,000 miles to have heads warp. Can cause extensive motor damage if not checked regularly.

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  DO NOT BUY PIECE OF JUNK - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By flanza - July 27 - 11:30 am

  From day one this van is nothing but junk junk junk ..Do not buy...At 55,000 miles water pump transmission went..Nothing but junk

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  2004 Dodge Stratus R/T - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By Lee Ann - July 27 - 2:00 am

  I have nothing but great things to say about my Stratus. I am very glad I chose to buy it! The gas mileage is exactly what the window sticker said it would be, handles great and fun to drive!

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  Gotta Love Them Dodge Trucks - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By Rcarter - July 27 - 2:00 am

  Ive aways had Ford Trucks, 1999 F150 was nice however to much Gas. 2001 Ford Ranger was nice but a little to small and no balls. This is the best driving truck Ive ever owned. How well it holds up is to be seen.

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  Love my Journey - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By LIFE IS GOOD - July 26 - 2:53 pm

  I love this vehicle. Smoothest ride I have ever had, it feels like I am gliding down the road. I have owned a Jeep liberty, rav4, Blazer, Camry. This is the best ride by far. Handles great!