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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  Daytona R/T Charger - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Ed Halko - July 2 - 6:23 am

  I waited many years for a Hemi in a pssenger car again. My car is a limited edition #1099 of 4000 in production. It is fun, fast and turns heads. Everywere I take this "Beast" people want to know if they can take it for a ride. My response, cut me a check for $40,000 and ride all you want.

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  Best "Compact" truck around - 2003 Dodge Dakota
  By Godzirrah - July 2 - 2:00 am

  Ive Had it for three weeks now and besides being my everyday commuting vehicle (with kids in car seats) it tows my 20 boat famously. I own the V8 4.7L 2wd. I call my truch the baby bear truck as it fits all my everyday needs "just right"...I test drove all others on the market and the Dodge blows away the Tacoma, Frontier and Colorado. The closest was the Tundra but tons more cabin room with the Dodge at a lot less price.

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  Dodge should be ashamed of themselves - 1998 Dodge Stratus
  By recallheadgasket55 - July 1 - 2:00 am

  This car was bought new in 9/97 but needed to be serviced often. Major engine trouble early on. Dodge did pick up some of the cost of the repairs after the warranty expired but only after I complained. Even with following the suggested routine maintenace the car should have lasted more than 77k. This car was traded in after the dealer recommended replacing the motor.

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  El Junk Mobile - 1996 Dodge Stratus
  By sam t - July 1 - 2:00 am

  The Stratus was my dads first car. At about 3-,--- miles it needed a new head gasket, needed another head gasket at 66,000. nearly everything started needing replacement at 60,000. It is noisy. We had the 2.4l and it only got 20city/29 high. thats pretty bad. There is a lot of torque in the engine and so so horsepower, 150 to be exact. The catalytic converter went bad at 66,000. steering column and wheel bearings needed replacement at around 64,000. iterior plastics were hard and cheap. steering wheel vibrated when idling.

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  great car...great value if used - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By mikesurf - July 1 - 2:00 am

  Remarkably roomy with very good seats Great handling, and the 4 speed trans makes the car feel so much better than earlier ones I drove as a rental. Now has 27000 miles and no hint of squeak or rattle, except for squeaky brakes which I hear is common problem with Neons. NOTE: I bought mine one year old--SE so has power wind/lk/mirrors--for just $8,600. Nearly new Neons seem to have terrible resale value, so perfect cars to buy used. Unless you are even fussier than I am, buy one used and save

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  First Real Car - 2001 Dodge Stratus
  By CaseAnarchy - July 1 - 2:00 am

  Ive only had this car for six months, but based on all the other cars ive had, borrowed, or test drove, this is the best one ive been in. From zero to a hundred the car accelerates and handles very well. Has real good handling and decent brakes, dodged a near head on collision and countless critters. Last winter there was a bad snow storm, 6 inches, thought with the low clearance the car was stuck, the car dug its way through an un-shoveled drive way that a van couldnt clear. Good fuel economy too for the engine size, V6 chews up oil and spark plugs faster than average. Great car though, when maintained.

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  My 2005 Dodge Caravan - 2005 Dodge Caravan
  By cammy - July 1 - 2:00 am

  We have wanted minivan for quite some time now but thought they were too expensive. One evening we went into our local car dealership after 8:30pm thinking that we would look when no one was there. Oops, they were there and there was a good sale going on. We decided to test drive one and a short time later we drove off in our beautiful Midnight Blue,2005 Dodge Caravan. We opted for no luxuries except air and stereo. I was always angry with my other car and its self locking doors and other things that made decisions for me and just drove me crazy. Our Caravan gets good mileage and is very roomy, a smooth ride and beautiful!

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  Great Van BUT... - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By carolinagirl2579 - June 30 - 1:20 pm

  I really love this van and until two months ago would have recommended it to anyone. My van is the ultimate road-trip vehicle but in two months, has been in the dealership for repairs to the ENGINE twice! I think for the money its a great vehicle, even though it doesnt have as much interior room as the new Hondas and Toyotas but Im wondering how long its going to last. As a high mileage driver, Im feeling like it isnt made well enough to stand up to the pressure. Also, Dodge could have used decent quality trim materials inside but again, for the price its a fantastic van. Still worried about the engine and its "issues".

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  My Rango - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By Heather L - June 30 - 2:00 am

  We have been very happy with our Durango until just recently. With less than 70k miles, we have had numerous problems with the vehicle. We have been in to the shop FOUR times to get the brakes worked on, but still have problems with them. The ball joints are so worn they need to be replaced. (I have recently discovered that this is a common problem with Durangos & Dakotas). We need our inner tie rods replaced (and Dodge is on backorder for tie rods, were looking to wait at least a couple of weeks). I love the vehicle, its spacious and comfortable, but I wouldnt recommend it to anyone looking to buy a vehicle. Just my opinion, though!

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  Ok but not great - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By RLMSr - June 30 - 2:00 am

  Have 51600 miles, mostly highway. Had it to do over, I might not buy it again. Gas mileage for 4.7 V8 terrible in mixed driving - 14.6 mpg avg last 3 tanks - most of my daily trips are 75% highway. Steering failed (shafts separated) at 48575 mi - lucky for us I was at 25 mph on and empty street not 45 mins before on the interstate. Dodge did fix for free despite being out of warranty, but I had to borrow a car for two days. Very comfortable inerior. Floor tray doesnt allow for middle passengers feet. Rear seats very comfortable, as roomy as our Impala. Bed length is same w/gate down as my Ranger was w/gate down, but it could be longer. Turning rad