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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  Better than a Minvan - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By SLG - May 28 - 2:00 am

  We are a minivan family and just purchased our first 03 SUV. Cannot wait to trade the minivan in for a second Durango. My husband and I fight over who will drive the truck and who will drive the minivan. Its roomy, sporty and drives and handles great!! The kids love the rear air and they actually sit without complaints during trips. Who can ask for better than that?

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  Dodge Stratus R/T - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By krazymon22 - May 28 - 2:00 am

  The only problem I had was when I first purchased the car. Made way too much road noise especially on cold start. After being at the dealerships service dept. for about 4 or 5 days they found out my engine mounts were loose.

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  Horrible mistake, pitiful car, refund!!! - 1993 Dodge Intrepid
  By IHATEINTREPIDS - May 27 - 2:00 am

  I HATE this car! Tranny went twice, oil block cracked, brake master cylinder failed, A/C went twice, struts, power steering replace, radio replace, drivers seat wont move, all fuel injectors replaced 3 times, fuel rail, 2 major electrical problems (headlights and tailights wouldnt work), door seals let rain, air in, all windows would fog up in winter and freeze over, constantly needed realigning, new brakes after 10,000 miles, routers reground 6 times, etc. Rarely went one month without spending over $100 to fix something, around $10K total in 5 years. Dodge should be ashamed they ever made this car. I will never consider buying a Dodge again.

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  Neon Good for the Money - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By silverneon - May 26 - 2:00 am

  I like my Neon. It is sporty and fun to drive. I have not had any major problems yet at 19,000 miles. Compared to others in its price range-- best buy.

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  the enigma - 2004 Dodge Intrepid
  By Biggie.E - May 26 - 2:00 am

  I like the body style.

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  Rock - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By loploplop - May 26 - 2:00 am

  Ill stick with em till they die.

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  04 R/T - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By bc15 - May 26 - 2:00 am

  High trunk lid limits rear view when backing

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  Everything I thought and more - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By John - May 25 - 9:36 am

  Just got back from a 10 day 4,000 mi vacation. I could not be any happier, other than a little softer seats, but it is a sport ride suspension. In dash mpg usually a little high (1-2 mpg) but I want to say this, I drove this on the interstate at speeds around 85-90 mph and through the Rockies and I never got less than 25 mpg in the mountains (with plenty of power) 27-30 on the hwy. The c-pillar blind spot is a little bad also but I knew about that before I ordered this car. I plan on having this for a long time so after working for gm for 17 yrs. I will take the plastic over the vinyl, cloth or leather that either shrinks, gets stained, torn, falls apart or has to be maintained w/special cleaners.

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  Super all American car SUV - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By eli - May 25 - 4:30 am

  I loved this car before I bought! The minute I drove away I knew I was in a close to perfect car. The steering, the tires, the stereo, glow in the cup holders rock, the ice box, the room. What more can I say? The satellite radio, and the universal garage remote control rocks.

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  Dodge Stratus First and Last !!!!! - 2001 Dodge Stratus
  By firemedic - May 25 - 2:00 am

  Great car. Resale value sucks. Owned since new (3 years), financed for 6 years. Currently owe $5000 more than resale value. This should not be!