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:

• 

  I,ll miss that truck - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By Thomas Ivey - February 12 - 2:00 am

  Very good truck really enjoyed it. Had it all, 5.9 V-8, Four door with plenty of room. Handle well, around 19 mi. per gal on the hiway. I,ll truly miss this truck.and 4WD.

• 

  A Good Purchase... - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By The Madd Bulldog - February 12 - 1:26 am

  Overall, I am very happy with my Journey... its put together very well, is comfortable, and has an "edge" to it. Was definitely worth the purchase price.

• 

  "SKs" SXT - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By "SK" - February 11 - 4:03 pm

  I took the car for a test drive and before I went 1/4 of a mile I told the salesman to make me a deal on the car. I loved everything about it. The only draw back to me is the high step over getting in & out of the car and that is minimal. I love the car. Dodge has a winner

• 

  1998 Dodge Stratus ES - 1998 Dodge Stratus
  By Jax Tom - February 11 - 2:00 am

  I bought my 98 ES at the end of 2000 when it had 61,000 miles on it and I have over 113,000 miles on it now. Its been a great car, solid, fun to drive, decent gas mileage, good power when you need it. Other than routine maintenance and new tires, I havent had to do anything to it except that the A/C has just lost its charge so Ill be needing to get new hoses and refridgerant. Hope to get many more miles from it.

• 

  fun to drive - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By chaddlie - February 11 - 2:00 am

  I never thought I would own a truck but now Im glad I give it a try. I love it!

• 

  This van stood up to a lot of abuse - 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Jane - February 10 - 7:00 am

  So, the junkyard comes to pick up my Grand Caravan tomorrow, and Im very sad to see it go. I bought it with 30k miles on in 3 years ago, and it now has 190k on it. It has been my bands tour van and the main vehicle for my cleaning company. As well as heavy daily driving. its gone across the country 6 times (plus a tour of Mexico) loaded with about 1600 lbs of band equipment. It also survived getting stolen by some teenagers. It showed wear with age, but it was amazingly reliable and had a very low cost of ownership especially for the way I treated it!

• 

  Watch out for head gasket repair - 1998 Dodge Caravan
  By bdenis - February 10 - 2:00 am

  Many issues with the enginer. The head gasket required replacement within 3 years. Also, the oil pan and main rear seal need to be replaced after 5 years/85k miles.

• 

  Glad its gone - 1999 Dodge Stratus
  By thumbingaride - February 10 - 2:00 am

  Very disappointed.Front end rattles and speed sensors have gone out twice in 50,000 miles.$400.00 Interior design needs improvement.

• 

  HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY - 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By TOI - February 10 - 2:00 am

  This is a wonderful vehicle my child thinks it rides like a rental car and all my children have long legs and love the fact that there is so much leg room and are very impressed by the feel and the ride of the car. We do alot running around and it is so nice to feel so comfortable in our new 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan.

• 

  4.7 very impressive 3:92 gear - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By wozz123 - February 10 - 2:00 am

  all in all a really good truck