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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  Awesome truck! - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By HateDodge - July 14 - 2:00 am

  I wonder why people never say anything bad about dodge dakota

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  waste of money - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By givemeabreak - July 9 - 2:00 am

  this is the worst car ive ever owned. it spent more time in the shop than on the road. everythingwent wrong from the head gasket to the transmission to the brakes and the air compressor. after 2 years of owning the car i was finally hit head on in which he dual side air bags NEVER EVEN INFLATED!!!! good riddance to a horrible vehicle.

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  30,000 miles and problems not covered!!! - 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By neverdodge1 - July 6 - 2:50 pm

  My friends warned me about Chrysler products, but I ignored them. BOY, I was wrong, at 30,000 miles steering was vibrating intensely when cold accompanied by a loud whine. The dealer and Dodge online said tough luck, you bought a lemon and this is the power steering reservoir clogged, a cheap fix. Before considering buying a Chrysler product, you have to ask yourself what kind of car manufacturer screws up power steering. One that ENGINEERS their products to FAIL. I never owned a vehicle with a power steering problem except for the 2 Caravans I bought. I not own this one when the trans fails, and it will, like the other Caravan I owned. I will NEVER BUY ANOTHER CHRYSLER PRODUCT.

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  must be the worst car ever made - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By littleGST - July 4 - 2:00 am

  I got the neon cause i didnt want a honda. i shouldve bought a honda! the after 2 months of buying it, its been ground through repairs every single month! Every month something breaks! Good thing I had a dealer warranty, but even thats not worth it. I became a mechanic by necessity fixing many of these problems... and the car only has 50K!!! So I got a Eclipse GS-T and I havent had a problem with anything!

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  I am scared to drive my car - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By VeryDisappointed - July 3 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car new and have had nothing but problems with it. It has 34,000 miles on it and I already had it break down on me SEVERAL times. The transmission was replaced before the car even hit 30,000 miles. I am scared to drive my car most of the time because I am scared of what may happen.

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  GET A HONDA MINIVAN - 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By dENNY - June 28 - 10:00 am

  I will never buy a dodge, chrysler, or jeep,again. The caravans are no good I cant see why everone has one.I had many problem with the grand caravan, I had to get the brake replaced 3 times and 2 times replacing transmission.YOU CAN TELL HOW CHEAP ITs MADE BECAUSE THE DODGE SIGN FELL OFF THE HOOD. I MADE A BIG MISTAKE TRADING MY 1998 FORD WINDSTAR FOR A GRAND CARAVAN.

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  Bad! - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Phil - June 23 - 10:00 am

  Fleet car with about 43,000 miles now. Very scary brakes, a lot of vibrations. No power. Fuel economy fair. This is my first and last Dodge, next time a Ford or Chevy, a Japanese if available for fleet.

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  Worst engine best comfort-safety - 2013 Dodge Dart
  By Robert H - June 20 - 8:56 am

  This sedan would be 5 stars if not for the engine. It has the worst engine in any car on the road today. Sometimes you wonder if theres a lawn mower engine under the hood. Then again I get 28mpg around town and near 40 on the highway. The interior comfort and technology is excellent.

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  My 99 Dakota - What was I thinking??!! - 1999 Dodge Dakota
  By Bman99 - June 19 - 2:00 am

  Here is the scoop: There are countless sqeaks and rattles coming from under the hood. The right front wheel has not been right from the start as I constantly hear a thump when I turn. When applying the brakes the truck shutters like an out of whack washing machine. The tires, oh the tires, they are HORRIBLE. Even on dry blacktop, when turning I slide. The interior is less than impressive and the gear selector blocks the temperature controls. The extended cab seat is only good for people with 12" legs. Do yourself a favor and stay away if you value your life.

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  Biggest Piece of Crap Ever - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By Stay Away from Neons - June 18 - 2:00 am

  DO NOT buy this car. I bought this car with 60,000 miles on it. At 65k I had to replace the head gasket, then again at 73k, and again at 84k, and once more at 98k. A/C went and the whole thing needed to be replaced $1,500. Transmission problems at 100k, but it did have 100k.