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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  My 2nd Intrepid - 2000 Dodge Intrepid
  By captken - April 24 - 2:00 am

  Second time around with Intrepid. Great road call. Too big for DC commuter traffic. My favorite chair is in this car. Looking over right shoulder to see traffice is a challange...view blocked. Never did get used to slooping front end. Have to memorize where your front bumper is.

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  One Word Hemi - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By 1 Word - April 23 - 11:46 am

  I had a 560 SEC MB coupe before this, and my Hemi would blow the doors off it. People stop me and ask about this machine. The last time this happened is when I had a 68 Shelby GT350 convertible and a 62 Thunderbird Sports Roadster with the tonneau, top down. BUY IT NOW!

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  Not as bad as they say - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Ian - April 23 - 10:00 am

  Have had this car 6 months and I love it. The ride is brilliant and so far Im getting 21mpg with it. It had new brakes fitted when I bought it and after 6000 miles they were already 40% worn so this seems to be a worry. The van is comfortable and quiet and has swallowed loads with ease.The Stow and Go is fantastic. The 3.8 is good enough but I would have liked the 4.0. Coming from Europe the interior is not up to my usual standard but is OK. I bought this van 2 years old and it was $10,000 cheaper than an equivalent Honda Odyssey and for my money the van is a bargain.Maybe the problems have been sorted out by the previous owner, but I would wholeheartedly recommend this car.

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  Good People Carrying Van - 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By David - April 23 - 8:10 am

  Weve just traded in our 97 Caravan for a smaller car, since gas prices has gone up the roof ! But it was a blast to drive. Power was not a problem on city or highway, and quite comfortable for all three rows of seats. Wished the headlights were brighter at night, but theyve already addressed this issue on later models. I liked the removable seats instead of fold-down ones, it helps with gas mileage if youre not using the 3rd row often, and the 3rd row bench can be slided to the middle, making it a 5-seater van with plenty of cargo space.

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  DONT BUY NEONS - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By HateNeon - April 23 - 2:00 am

  This car was good for the first year I had it. In the past 2 years it has been nothing but a headache. I wouldnt recommend this car to any one. Has a low resale value. In the past 2 years I have put at least $3000 of work into it. The a/c no longer works and now needs to be replaced.

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  Vipers kick! - 2003 Dodge Viper
  By Chelsea - April 23 - 2:00 am

  I love everything about Vipers. Theyre just awesome!

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  Fast , Fun and Reliable - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By louis carson - April 22 - 2:00 am

  This trck was fun fast and reliable to drive. Is was one of the safest trucks I have ever driven.

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  First dodge, with life time warranty! - 2018 Dodge Durango
  By Conrad C - April 21 - 9:24 pm

  I am coming from a 2016 GMC Canyon SLE V6. For a V6 Durango I felt like there was no big difference from the RT V8 version when test driving and it has more power then my GMC Canyon. Large screen entertainment system with beats speakers, sunroof, SRT hood, 20” rims (black top edition) leather with suede in the middle, power lift gate and remote start. all under 39k with haggling. I went and got this SUV to keep forever with a growing family and that lifetime warranty provided by Mopar is just the best peace of mind

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  Poor Quality for Price - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By jstout01 - April 21 - 4:26 am

  Have had this vehicle for a little over a year and already replace front brakes and rotors. Appears to be chronic problem with this model. Have had trim on rear bumper replaced twice and still is not correct.Does not hold value -- has lost half its value in 1 year. Will not buy another Dodge product again

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  95,000 Mile Suprise - 1998 Dodge Intrepid
  By Flying Barnster - April 21 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this car new and for 3 years was exceptionally pleased. The car was corporate maintained with regular service intervals. The transmission went out at 88k, $1,400 owwee. At 95k the radiator, water pump, fittings were replaced. Then the head gasket to failed, $2,700. 30k miles later the timing belt failed again damaging the valves. $2,400. More problems:battery, coolant,struts, brakes, front end fittings ...I could go on. I keep hoping I will recoup my repair investment, but I never do. Im finished now. Tomorrow I pick up a used Navigator.