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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  R/T Rocks!! - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By dvs55 - December 25 - 11:06 pm

  I purchased this vehicle because of the extraordinary incentives being given at the time. 0% financing for 3 yrs & 7yr, 100,000 extended warranty. I was very pleased with the deal that I made. The car itself has been a flat-out blast to drive on a daily basis. Its very quick, agile & easy on the eyes. I firmly believe that american cars are at least the equal of any foreign competition. My wife drives a 98 Intrepid that we couldnt be happier with.

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  my junk car - 1996 Dodge Stratus
  By lokie - December 25 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car used with 112,000 miles on it, I had only driven it 3,000 miles when the trans went on it. and then serious of other problems with the engine, and service lights that would come on and off followed. I was really disappointed in this car for being a dodge I expected more.

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  sweet - 2003 Dodge Stratus
  By ILIKEDODGE - December 24 - 2:00 am

  I ordered a 95 dodge stratus ES (loaded) with a 5 spd, which was a blast to drive, great gas mileage too... I always thought it needed a v6. Not the wimpy 2.5 liter-150hp w/ automatic MTX only, which was an option that 1st year. The 2003 r/t with the 200hp magnum, match up with the 5 spd, is exactly what it needed. I have had no issues with the vehicle at all. It is powerful, handles extremely well and most vehicles will have trouble keeping up with it. (If that interests you) I look forward to driving it every day. The gas mileage is great. The engine is very smooth and delivers its 200hp nicely.

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  Worth every penny! - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By DA X 6 - December 23 - 8:23 pm

  Easily the best car Ive ever owned, and IMO the best car for the money. Nothing else combines the power, acceleration, and handling of the Charger with the convenience of 4 doors and 5-passenger seating.

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  Our new Dodge - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By carlton hayden - December 23 - 7:36 am

  We got our new car in May and the first week we had it we had a death in the family and had to drive back to New York. We put almost 3,000 miles on the car the first two weeks we had it. It was a pleasure to drive it that far and not feel confined and it rode like a big car. Plus we were very happy with the mileage. Since then we have put 4,000 more miles on it and love it as much as we did the first day we test drove it. I would buy another one thats for sure.

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  Mechanical Challenges - 1996 Dodge Caravan
  By dcbeckster - December 23 - 2:00 am

  While the Dodge Caravan is a very popular vehicle the experience by many has been less than adequate. The same problem seems to frequently appear at about 100K miles. The first is usually with the air conditioning not functioning correctly. Equally, the automatic transmission many times will need major repairs. This seems to be fairly consistent with this model.

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  Do not buy this car! - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Robert in Atlanta - December 21 - 4:13 am

  I had this car for 4 days before the engine blew (200 miles on it!). I was convinced that it was a lemon, but the dealership said it was a problem with the car and would not be covered by warranty. Ill take their word and assume it is an awful car. And Daimler Chrysler has backed the dealership! Beware-if you buy this car (or the 300, Charger, or any other car with the same platform) and you have problems, they will not take responsibility. I had heard similar things but wanted this car so badly, I took a chance on it anyway. Biggest mistake of my life. I am actually left hoping that the engine problems continue so I can take them to task and claim it as a lemon. I am a VERY angry consumer!

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  2003 Dodge SRT-4 Flame Red - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By Flakdodger - December 21 - 2:00 am

  Flew to Florida to purchase. Drive home conviced me I got what I wanted. Fast, agile and just plain fun to drive. Pulled steady 24mpg cruising back to Wisconsin from Florida. Get thirsty when the boost comes on. Minor drive train noise, but acceptable considering the perfomance.

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  not so happy anymore - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By sabrina1234 - December 21 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car looks and rides nice, had first payments deferred before even my first payment car was high idle and stalling. rpms high found out 2 senors went out oil leaks around transmission dealer ship fixed. also window motor went out total for dealer to fix car ($800) and two months later feeling like driving on pins and needles whats next car has stalled twice and now check engine light is on all the time, i dont know what to do. dealer wants money again just to look. cant afford to have it looked at.

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  ACR Two Year Review - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By yamura - December 21 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Neon, one of the cheaper cars I ever bought but probably is the most fun of all to drive. Excellent seat-steering wheel- pedal realtionship, comfortable seats, blazing quick if you want to drive it that way, outstanding handling, economical, and this one has been dead stone reliable.