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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  0-60 in 1min - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By Roger M - February 23 - 2:00 am

  Although I didnt buy the Stratus for its performance, I was figuring it would have a little more "get up and go." The car handles like a dream though. Very good choice of tires. The car handles bumps and potholes very well with little or no kickback from the suspension. I am a fairly large man, and I am very comfortable in the cars seat. I upgraded the stereo. The interior is very durable. The woodgrain dash and the white face gauges are a nice adddition.

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  4.7L auto quad cab 2WD - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By lacasa - February 23 - 2:00 am

  Despite the numerous warranty items that have been replaced, I like the trucks mechanical reliability. What broke? Door lock switches constantly cycling to unlock, leather steering wheel peeled, shifter boot on the column ripped, battery shorted, drivers door window regulator mechanism popped, cruise control broke (bad switch somehere). Averages about 19mpg on the highway and 16mpg in the city. Mine has just about every option.

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  I will never buy a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SE StowNGo Flex Fuel - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By kandyce - February 22 - 3:17 pm

  This is the worst Minivan I have ever owned. I have owned 4 in total (different years) It seems that the newer year you get, the more issues you have. I currently have 3 recalls on it but there should be more. My issues are as followed: *you have to giggle the shifter to get it to go into park to turn it off *stalls *bad on gas even with Flex Fuel *turns off while driving *over heats *wipers turn on, on there own *will repeataly start (turn over) over and over again while trying to start it and have to turn it off and try again to start it. *always replacing breaks, struts, shocks, ball joints, rooters (never before this bad)

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  Think you love the Charger? Buy one! - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Jasonic - February 22 - 1:13 pm

  I was formerly a Mustang fan, but from my first test drive I fell in love. Though the gas mileage on the Hemi is obviously going to be a little low, the cost per drive is made up by the thrill that is getting behind the wheel. I look forward to my 35 mile ride to and from work everyday. I love how it looks and how it feels to drive it. Solid, powerful, uplifting. I swear, you feel connected to this car. Like your part of it. I know it sounds dramatic but its an experience that makes you smile. The seats are comfortable and everything is within reach. Plus. the acceleration is electifying and it sounds like a pack of rhinos when its blowing by you on the highway.

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  Cheap overall cost - but needed repairs - 1996 Dodge Intrepid
  By 150kMileIntrepid - February 22 - 2:00 am

  Bought in 96 w/ 64k mi for $9k. The car rides great, good mileage for a car of its size, and is roomy. Here are the repairs Ive made: A/C rebuilt $1200, Steering Rack $1000, Cyl. Head Gaskets & Engine Cradle Bushings $1200, Sway Bars, Struts, Tie Rods $1700 at 145k mi. Susp/steering has a bit to be desired. Overall cost of ownership was ~ $0.29 per mile. Cheap to own - but it has its problems - calling it quits w/ when the next repair bill rolls in - cant really expect too much more than 150k mi w/ this car I think. Yeah, I needed to make alot of repairs but it was still cheaper to own than a camry etc. - and roomier to. Id buy another used one.

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  a very good all around truck - 1994 Dodge Dakota
  By James Strange - February 22 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car cheap and its great. The interior design is good, with a large glovebox and wood panneling its very large and comfortable. The infinity sound system is ambient with nice base for stock. The V8 is powerfull but a bit slow on the takeoff. It has a lot of pulling power for the size of the truck. The 4WD is great.It got me out of a ditch in two feet of snow.The extended cab is larger than one would expect.Ive put 50,000 of its 143,000 miles on it and I havnt had any engine or transmission problems with it yet.(just ware and tare stuff like hood latches and brake callipers.) One of the most comfortable and reliable cars Ive ever owned for so low a price.

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  Great - 2004 Dodge Viper
  By homerboy602 - February 22 - 2:00 am

  My car is great. Its so fast I cant count the numbers of cars I passed. Its got a great look and helps me pick up dates. I love it!

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  Intrepid SXT 2004 - 2004 Dodge Intrepid
  By sheryl heile - February 22 - 2:00 am

  This car is all I needed and more. Its fun to drive and fits the kids and the huge trunk fits all their gear too. Its a great car I would recommend it to anyone who shudders at the thought of a minivan.

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  A great SUV - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By grit - February 22 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Durango in late 2003 used, with only 7000 miles from CarMax. Very reliable, great power with a 5.7 Liter V-8 engine. Good fuel economy for a V- 8 (about 15 mpg). Great pickup and third row seat that folds into floor is a great feature. I like its style better than the new 2004. Interior design is also wonderful.

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  Buggy since new - 1999 Dodge Dakota
  By ShaneOhio - February 21 - 2:00 am

  Nice truck but lots of bugs and mechanical woes.Two converters,alternator,fan clutch,ball joints,and many other complaints to list!Its too bad the quality of parts are so bad,this would be a great truck otherwise.Will not buy another one unless Dodge wakes up and fixes all this.