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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  lemon of a car - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Kiki - January 4 - 1:46 pm

  One month after purchasing my 09 Journey, I was locked out in the extreme cold because the computer system went dead. I brought it back twice to be repaired. I noticed a rotten egg smell that I brought the car back for twice and was told there was nothing wrong. Then it leaked water through the roof, that was repaired. Now as I was driving 60 miles an hour on the highway, a very loud bang and then the speed immediately dropped down to 2 miles per hour and barely moving. I have been without a car for 2 days while they replace the ptu unit in the transmission. To say this car is a lemon is being nice.

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  2001 Neon - 2001 Dodge Neon
  By Michael McIntyre - January 4 - 2:00 am

  Neon is alot of fun to drive and is a peppy little car with little or no sway in turns and absolutely superb braking. This vehicle is sure-footed in snow and easy to drive in most other weather. For the price of this vehicle, you cannot complain about the drive although many do.

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  Not too shabby - 2003 Dodge Intrepid
  By LAmx - January 4 - 2:00 am

  The style, power, comfort, power and power were outstanding. Did I mention the power? Having driven a smaller V6 without punch, this is a dream come true without it having an 8. (Hey Dodge, this would be a great choice to drop a hemi in!). Stealing from Deniro in Analyze That ... you could but three bodies in that trunk! The only complaints I have are 1) the cup holders are too small and 2) the CD player should have repeat.

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  2nd stratus...good value for your $$ - 2003 Dodge Stratus
  By mr cf - January 4 - 2:00 am

  This is my 2nd stratus & very happy with it. Only gripe is the doors squeak. dealer replace all hinges and they still squeak. brakes are much improved over previous model. fuel economy is not as good as previous model. pretty peppy for a 4cyl car.

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  Wont sell my Durango - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By scott r - January 4 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Durango a little over 2 years ago and have been pleased. The 5.9L is very thirsty but great power when needed. Ride is trucklike but agile. Too much wind and road noise at highway speeds. Only problems have been a tough-to-fix tranny leak that has added up to $400 and a drivers side power window motor(vehicle now has 87000 miles). Great size but would be nice to have enough for 4 x 8 sheet of plywood/sheetrock. Aesthetically appealing interior and exterior. ABS system poor on snow/ice I could stop faster without. Have been thinking of selling for less expensive payments but it is too fun to drive and too handy to get rid of.

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  Crap on Wheels - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By DantheMan - January 3 - 2:00 am

  Weve put about $4000 into this car, repairing things that should not break. Sun roof-4 times Head Gasket Front Transmission Seal Real Oil Seal Oil Pan Gasket Thermostat Water Pump CD Player Plus, you get to hear the eletrical sounds as they pulse through the radio. The windshield wipers sound cool, the ac has a high screetchy noise, whereas the redefrost is a low hum. No, Im not kidding. Whenever you turn something on, you HEAR it on the radio. Stay away. Stay far away.

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  This Car Is Garbage! - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By birdie - January 3 - 2:00 am

  We have spent approximately $7,000 on repairing this car and now the transmission is gone and the dealership wants another $2,000! This car has had a new engine, sensors, a/c problems etc. DO NOT BUY!

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  tough little car - 2001 Dodge Neon
  By clyjp - January 3 - 2:00 am

  Excellent commuter vehicle. very reliable and fun to drive.

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  Dodge Van? never again! - 1999 Dodge Ram Van
  By dditaranto - January 2 - 10:00 am

  I bought this 1999 Dodge 3500 extended cargo van brand new. This was after owning three other dodge vans, which I was very happy with. The older vans were built much stronger and lasted much longer between repairs. This van has cost me more time and money than its worth. After just two years I had to sink over $1,700. for the front end to be rebuilt, The rotors were replaced twice at the cost of over$700., the fuel pump was also replaced, the oxygen sensors were replaced(by myself) for a cost of $179.00 for two,the sensor in the rear that controls the speedometer was replaced, etc.Today I was told that the heads need replacing, the fuel pump, the fuel jets,$3,600!!!.. Dodge? NEVER AGAIN!!!

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  so far so good - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By richard snively - January 2 - 10:00 am

  first new Mopar ever,ride ,handling and price were best in class.Gas mileage is as expected 10-12 city 18 highway,best was coming back from Florida @ 20.3