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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  superior ride - 1998 Dodge Dakota
  By kingmacaw - March 4 - 2:00 am

  45000 miles and only one warranty repair ever needed-cruise control once went out. replaced shocks w/beltech nitros to stiffen up ride!

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  couriers car - 1996 Dodge Stratus
  By jthull - March 3 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this car in 96 and rarely used it until 98 when I started to use it for work. I have the 2.0 sohc base model 5 speed manual. At 65000 it did need a new headgasket. The only other major expenses have been the front bearings or hub assembly. (part is a lot). replaced alternator once. fixed ac unit once but after 52000 miles it started to leak again THIS CAR HAS THE ORIGINAL ENGINE AND THE ORIGINAL CLUTCH!!!! LAST FRIDAY 2/27/04 MY STRATUS TURNED OVER 300000 MILES AND STILL GETS 31 MILES TO THE GALLON. I DRIVE ABOUT 200 MILES A DAY AROUND 52000 MILES A YEAR. THE SIZE OF THE CAR IN CONNECTION WITH THE MPG,LOVE IT

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  Thank God it is gone - 1996 Dodge Intrepid
  By akent - March 3 - 2:00 am

  When I bought this car it was clean and very nice looking.Test drove well,after about 3 months front end had to have work,then I had to buy a computer,a couple of window motors,front end work again rack and pinion cost$1,100 to fix. radio only worked when it wanted to.The a/c was really ice cube cold,when it worked.Did not have any trouble with heat.I did have to put a water pumpand a thermastat.Finally gave it back to the finance company,did not care about credit.going broke on repairs anyway.

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  Nothing but problems - 1999 Dodge Dakota
  By grump - March 3 - 2:00 am

  At 60K the good looking truck went downhill underneath. With the money I have invested into the truck I would have been better off buying a brand new full size (GM or foreign) built. I definitely have a sour taste in my mouth. I know someone else that is following my footsteps at 60K. So, look out if you are approaching that mileage. Be prepared for ball joints (both in front), transmission (atleast once), transfer case, water pump, tie rods, brakes (atleast once), battery cables, etc. Just a forewarning!

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  Unsatisfied American/now going foreign - 1997 Dodge Caravan
  By foreigner now - March 3 - 2:00 am

  7yrs old&76,000 miles&its shot. warranty expired, various items going wrong,Cupholders frontpanel busted, electricalproblems,the service engine light keeps going on(which they kept telling me nothingwas wrong but a short circuit in thecomputer, which was never fixed),several oil leaks later(valve covergaskets replaced twice), struts&linkage needs to be replaced,now problems with more oil leaking &overheating only to find out that the head gasket is bad and needs to be replaced amongst other things. Whats the trade-in-value now.NOTHING. I guess I will just have to donate it for a tax deduction. NO more dodges for me. It will now be foreign all the way.

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  sweet car - 2004 Dodge Viper
  By joshbob - March 3 - 2:00 am

  this car is vary fine in a sport car. This is definitly the car to buy, if you have the money for it. The viper is a geate car for just crusing and if you like speed, this is the car for you

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  2-late-to-trade - 2000 Dodge Intrepid
  By 2late - March 3 - 2:00 am

  WE BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW AND HAVE OVER 100000 HIGHWAY MILES. WE HAVE HAD NO MAJOR MECHANICAL PROBLEMS UNTIL THIS WEEK WHEN THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND ENGINE LOCKED UP WITH AN OIL LEVEL (WE HAVE THE OIL CHANGED AROUND EVERY 5000 MILES) NEW ENGINE WILL COST MORE THAN THE CAR IS WORTH! hOW CAN THAT BE? WE SHOULD HAVE TRADED IT IN BUT HOPED IT WOULD LAST ANOTHER 100000. WILL PROBABLY BUY A HONDA CIVIC NOW.

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  Sport and Business - 2004 Dodge Intrepid
  By way satisfied - March 3 - 2:00 am

  Wow did i get more than i thought. This thing is fun to drive. It fits business and pleasure. Moderate speeds are soft rides, while "on ramps", corners and wide open highway shows you how responsive this thing is. Its not a laggard like most takes on sport sedans. It seems to hunker down when accelerating. Equally amazing is the sensation of leveling when cornering. Best value found by far in a high output or evening out sedan.

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  AMAZING - 2004 Dodge Intrepid
  By mcnamara43 - March 3 - 2:00 am

  This is the most AMAZING car EVER. Its got the best handling great stereo and even more

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  Love that Durango - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By t2529ac - March 3 - 2:00 am

  This is my first SUV. I love how it is large enough to take 7 or 8 people out to dinner, or just for a drive. We have taken this vehicle to Michigan 4 times on vacation. I love how it turns on a dime. I plan to sell it and get a new 2005 Durango. I have friends who have got the 2000 and above models, but mine seems to be when Dodge broke the mold.