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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  dissappointed - 2000 Dodge Caravan
  By katlin - May 13 - 2:00 am

  Had to replace transmission at 70,000 miles cost $3,000 also have to replace power steering pump. poor quaility mechanicals. would not buy another one!

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  Love the Durango - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By Jbop - May 13 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Durango. My first was a 2000 model year. Had to get rid of it. Tried other SUVs. Not the same. Only complaint I have is that air conditioning does not work. Always spending money on the A/C. Kids love it too!

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  good - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By Dan goodrich - May 13 - 2:00 am

  loved the whole vehicle and i will eventually buy a new one when the time comes to get rid of this one

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  Sunburst Orange Baby! - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Taryn - May 12 - 10:26 pm

  Ive had the car for about 2 weeks now and I absolutely love it! I went all out and got the chrome, sunroof, Boston Acoustics, Driver Convenience Group, etc. Its very comfortable. I feel like Im driving an SUV so I feel more in control over the road now. The acceleration is very smooth. I cant even feel a change. Its a great car for the money. Its almost too good to be true! Everyone stops me and asks me about it. I of course recommend it! Its a safe car, well priced, and definitely fun to drive!

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  Do not Buy - 2001 Dodge Caravan
  By dnacam - May 12 - 2:00 am

  day we brought it home the AC broke, took it back and they "fixed it" when passing an eighteen wheeler on the interstate it didnt switch gears and slowed down with the pedal all the way to the floor a pick up truck was approaching and almost rear ended me. When we took it in for this problem they said "oh, the computer was just off and had to be reset, Its common with these vans". Hope I dont have to pass anyone for the rest of my life while owning this van. Now to get rid of it I am upside down and I will NEVER buy another DODGE and I will pay 3 times as much for a toyota to keep from putting my family in another one of their vehicles.

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  Not So Reliable - 2000 Dodge Intrepid
  By Mr. Ed - May 12 - 2:00 am

  This is a very appealing car from the outside and in but I think I could do better.

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  POOR - 2005 Dodge Caravan
  By DECOY - May 12 - 2:00 am

  Well I thiught that this would be a good buy it was for a friend of the family, but I have had nothing but problems

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  2fast 2furios - 2004 Dodge Viper
  By todd williams - May 11 - 2:00 am

  way fun to drive, especially the way people stare at you when you drive it its really cool.

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  Never Again - 1998 Dodge Durango
  By Kelly L - May 11 - 2:00 am

  I loved it at first, but then I hit 70k miles. YIKES!! Needed a whole new transmission for the tune of $3,600. Now the A/C evaporator has a leak - $1,100. Have had to replace radiator, water pump, thermostat, ball joints, etc. Has a minor oil leak - who knows where that will lead. On the positive, has great room for the 2 car seats and all of their gear, but am now looking into a mini-van, which is what we were trying to avoid in buying the Durango!! Poor gas mileage.

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  my intrepid - 2002 Dodge Intrepid
  By WhiteIntrepid02 - May 11 - 2:00 am

  I bought my 02 Intrepid last year at 27,000 miles. Now at 42,000 engine check light comes on once a while and just turns off, even computer diganosis couldnt figure out where the plm is coming from. My car has a spoiler and tinted window. It is very sporty looking same time a family car. Its like a small airplane on a highway. However, the radio should be better and u cannot even see the front part of the car when u are parking. MPG should improve thou...