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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  Not Happy!!! - 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By John Wills - February 26 - 9:46 pm

  Bought this minivan only two months ago. Already a/c went out, pass. side door trim (exterior) fell off. But gas mileage is decent for a seven year old vehicle. Wish it had center console, dealer didnt know where it was and it was over $400.00 from Dodge! Also no owners manual.

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  Looks will fool you - 1998 Dodge Stratus
  By Stabone - February 26 - 2:00 am

  Chrysler has failed with this engine and mechanical elements. The head gasket WILL begin to leak around 50K, in addition to many other repairs that go beyond ware and tear. Do not buy this model after 50K or you will end up spending well over $3,000 in repairs. Dont let the looks and extra features fool you. Chrysler should be ashamed of themsevles. I cant wait to get rid of this vehicle.

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  Great car for a cheap price - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By Oilman - February 26 - 2:00 am

  Great car for a cheap price. I purchased this car with 27K miles, now I have over 200,000 miles and it is still going strong. I have changed the head gasket once and had to replace a faulty turn signal switch, other then that, it has been a very solid car. Of course I change the oil on time and keep the tires in good shape. I still get over 35 miles per gallon on the freeway. My only complaint is the paint. It fell off in large chunks because of a bad base coat. I have asked the dealership to repaint it, but they refused. Hay, it only looks bad for Dodge, I do not care. I still drive this car about 1500 miles a month.

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  65000+ and Still Strong - 2001 Dodge Durango
  By Mimster - February 26 - 2:00 am

  Our 2001 Durango was a Demo and had 6K on it when we purchased it. We have put over 65K on it and it is still running strong. No problems at all! Just wanted all you die-hards to know what you have to look forward to!!

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  Nice car - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By chuggs - February 25 - 9:00 am

  Id done months of research on cars, and the Magnum was the first one I wanted to look at, but I couldnt find one under $20K. We found ours (black with dark tinted windows - beautiful car) for around $16K with 22K miles on it. Its a great car, coming from a 1999 Grand Am with one kid and one on the way. the 2.7L isnt torque happy, but we didnt need a racer, just a daily driver with room for 5 that got good mpg. Weve had a couple of problems (brakes and visor clip so far), but it was used, so I wasnt expecting "new-car" functionality. Thank God for warranties, right? If someone asked me what car to get for a family of 4, this would be it. Thanks Dodge!

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  My airport car - 1997 Dodge Stratus
  By canad - February 25 - 2:00 am

  I have had mine for about a year. It needed brakes when I bought it, and the A/C was not working after the second week (a dealership issue not a car issue.) Its peppy, handles well in all conditions including rain and snow (autostick.)

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  3rd Neon for me! - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By Dick Bert - February 25 - 2:00 am

  Bought my wife a 1998 neon with all the goodies, 5-sp, DOHC, moonroof, etc, and shes loved it. Couldnt talk her into trading for a Honda with a 6 cyclinder. Then it was totaled. Were now buying an 03 R/T with ALL the goodies for $14,500 drive-out, and shes excited. Leather, moonroof, etc. I put Bridgestone BT70S on her old Neon and it cornerd like it was on rails! Cant wait to slap Potenzas on this new car. Only problem I ever had with the 98 was the infamous headgasket, but it was fixed under warranty. Love to drive this car!

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  The New one is better than the old one - 2003 Dodge Viper
  By twinviperguy - February 25 - 2:00 am

  Bought the car as the 5th Viper Ive owned. Truly outstanding car - far, far better than anything else thus far. Performance, acceleration, handling, ride and braking are well beyond any of the old models.

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  should have bought an SL55 - 2004 Dodge Viper
  By mistake - February 25 - 2:00 am

  bought on impulse, should have bought an SL55. looks like an 85k kit car.

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  I Like it! - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By Bearing Rep - February 24 - 3:00 am

  I have been watching the Magnum for some time now and have been so impressed. It was recently offered as a choice for our company vehicle, so I had to get it. I love the looks, room, quiet ride, and handling. I am at an age, with two kids and a business, that I need the wagon, but really do not want to drive "my Fathers Oldsmoblie"! Since mine is an SE (fleet car), I had no choice but to accept the 2.7 eng. It is adequate, but weak. The 3.5 should be the minimum engine for this size of car. Traction control and ABS was added. I run 35K business miles per year, plus personal miles and this car is fun and nice to drive. Overall, I love it, but wish that it had a bigger power plant.