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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  Just try to tear my wife away! - 1996 Dodge Caravan
  By rickaroo - January 23 - 2:00 am

  I have read a number of very negative things about this vehicle but our experience has been pretty positive. In 60k miles of ownership (60k-120k) the only problem outside routine maintenance has been the air conditioner.

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  My 04 Caravan - 2004 Dodge Caravan
  By Farv4 - January 23 - 2:00 am

  This van has some great standard features. Sound system is very good for a factory make.

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  intrepid such a great car - 2004 Dodge Intrepid
  By dodgew880 - January 23 - 2:00 am

  the car is actually my mothers car. the car runs great and rides smoothly. She previously had a 2000 dodge intrepid. we love these cars they are the mos tfun to be in and drive. and chevrolet are as follows: Cheap Hardly Efficent Virtually Runs On Luck Every Time

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  Sorry To See The Real Durango Go - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By BravoCharlie - January 23 - 2:00 am

  I love my 99 Durango. 5 years & 75000 miles and the only problem has been a recurring blow on the cooling feed gasket -- not catestrophic but annoying. Other than that, solid. No creaks, no rattles, great reliability. Of course, I have it in for its 15000 mile pressure oil flush, pressure trans flush, and pressure coolant flush. Nominal maintenance as far as I am concerned... dont want to shell out another 40 grand for a new one! -- All in all, wife and I and foursome have been thrilled.

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  The best car I ever bought - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By james mack - January 22 - 3:26 am

  You would have-to-have one to understand. This is what I needed in a car and I have the 3.5 high output v6. I love it. The Hemi is great too, but you could keep up with it no problem trust me.

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  Been a good car for us. - 1998 Dodge Stratus
  By Udslash - January 22 - 2:00 am

  We bought this car after we returned home from overseas/ARMY. Paid 8K for it used with 33k miles. It has been a great reliable car! At about 50k miles the main rear seal/head gasket had to be replaced. It was under warranty though..so no big deal. While living in L.A. I replaced the brake pads 6 or 7 times from freeway driving plus I had to have my rotors respun twice & then replaced. HORRIBLE brakes obviously. You definately need to buy high performance/carbon metallic to keep pads on this car for any length of time. Car has been from Miami to L.A. & back. + towed a U-haul trailer from Dallas to Miami. 130,000 miles to date...still going!!!

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  dodgeintrepid - 1997 Dodge Intrepid
  By parkway77 - January 22 - 2:00 am

  I have had this Intrepid for Seven years. No real major problems with it at 79,0000 miles. Have had to replace the turn signal unit and a starter, besides that it has been regular maintenance. I would predcer the EX model as it has a little more power.

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  Dead before 75000 - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By Never Again - January 22 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car new. I have bought new Dodges for the past 25 years. I just went out and bought a Honda. With less than 75,000 miles on the car, the engine went. I understand this problem is standard on the smaller engine. I kept buying American because I thought it was my duty. I am just a working class guy and cannot afford a car that just dies at 75,000 miles.

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  Great Truck!!! - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By Duckman - January 22 - 2:00 am

  I bought my truck right before the big snow storm hit my city. Most of the city was snowed in for a few days, but not me in my new Dodge. I have the quad cab, so I loaded up the family and we went all over just for the fun of it. It really is a great truck!

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  HAS500HP - 2004 Dodge Viper
  By Bob Jr. - January 21 - 2:00 am

  I have to say that I was a little apprehensive about the new design. The original Viper design was a classic that will last forever. But after owning the new SRT-10 for about 8 months now, the design has grown on me and I like it more and more each day. Now for the good stuff. 500hp. What else can be said?? This car is a rocket on wheels. Big wheels. The performance is simply astonishing. The full potential of this car can only be reached on the racetrack. The handling is much better than the original. The interior is finally worthy of the price. All in all, Dodge has done a great job.