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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  Best Used Car I Ever Purchased! - 2000 Dodge Stratus
  By Making me repost. - July 22 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned this car almost 4 years now, and have only had one major repair to the fuel system. I agree with the squeeky brakes and minor road noise assessments, but it also gets great fuel economy for a 4 door sedan! the only minor problem Ive seen is with the wiring harness to the lights on the air conditioning console (they intermitenly go out). Overall, I am VERY satisfied with the vehicle. I am now over 100,000 miles and still going strong!

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  I love my new van!!! - 2005 Dodge Caravan
  By our3sons - July 22 - 2:00 am

  I love this van. I have had others in the past, but the comfort and space in this one, far surpasses any other out there. The kids love the fact that they have their own reading lamps for road trips, and its really alot of fun to drive. I felt I was too young to drive a mini-van, with the stigma that sometimes comes along with them. But this is a luxury car with room for a family.

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  gas mileage stinks! - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By thurmondhr - July 22 - 2:00 am

  Love the truck except for the gas mileage. I average 11 mpg in town, and 15mpg on the road. This is with the 4.7 v8 and automatic trans. I really like the way the rear doors open to almost 90 degrees, makes access very easy. The truck drives and rides very well and is easily parked, even for my wife who is only 5 ft. 3 in. All in all, a great truck except for the gas mileage.

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  Dodge Viper GTS - 2000 Dodge Viper
  By Paulo Linguini - July 21 - 2:00 am

  Super fast car with excellent handling. Much more refined compared to my 1996 RT-10. I’ve had a viper since 1998 and still own one today (2004). Never have any problems. Service is very affordable. Not much out there than can keep up.

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  Nothing like the Spirit - 1992 Dodge Spirit
  By gRANDE the XIV - July 20 - 2:00 am

  I have had this car since 94,000 miles - it has caused me minor problems, nothing out of ordinary from an old and aged car... very reliable, been through a lot. When Im in the spirit, all is well. Ive found when I take care of the spirit, the spirit takes care of me. It really has been reliable, but you should stay on top of its normal maintenance.

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  Very good for price - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By CAB - July 19 - 12:33 pm

  I was looking for a second car, cheap and economical. (Replacing a Corolla 99). Its less refined in the interiors but meet the requirements. It is more fun to drive, better equiped, and has outstanding audio (almost U$ 5000 less than Corolla, Civic and Mazda3 in Puerto Rico)An excellent car for the price!

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  Stay Away - 2001 Dodge Intrepid
  By jmadel - July 19 - 2:00 am

  The engine had a tapping noise, couldnt repair it, Had to have the engine rebuilt by a third party company. Dodge will not acknowledge the poor design of the engine. I had a 94 Intrepid it was a much better car, better suspension, better everything, except transmission, my 94 tranny went at 69,000, and again at 117,000, so far the 2001 has 99,000 and tranny is still good, but starting to slip. If they put a 3.3L(like the 94) or even a 3.0L engine in it I would buy another. But I will never buy a car with a 2.7L Engine.

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  Dodge Stratus SXT 2 door - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By Carmen24 - July 19 - 2:00 am

  It is so much fun to drive. They look very nice, and they turn a few heads. The sound system that comes stock, is very good as well. It is very easily upgradeable. I love it and would recommend it to anyone.

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  love the stratus - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By stratusdriver2004 - July 19 - 2:00 am

  all around good reliable car

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  Some problems but - 1997 Dodge Ram Van
  By Msmary - July 18 - 10:00 am

  We purchased the van new in 1997. It had been a good running vehicle other than every 3-4 years we had to replace the water pump. Pump cost 100 buck putting it in was 400. We never had a brake job until 2007. Took it in and the brakes fell off in the guys hand. But with the van at almost 150,000 miles, we are having more problems. I have already put in over $1000 into it and now the transmission is going out. They (mech) told me the brakes are going bad again also. Ive also notice it getting a bad oil leak now. But for 13 years she served her purpose. Overall, it was a nice family vehicle. If I had to do it over again. Dodge...yes