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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  Well worth the $$$$ - 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By SARCARS - December 1 - 2:00 am

  Owning over 20 different vehicles, none Dodge before this one...Im a converter. This van 112K and going stron has absolutely been excellent! Usually I avoid 1st year new model runs, and especially a Dodge! The ride is smooth - good performance & gas mileage and no Major repairs thus far. The few recalls have been minor stuff and we are just very pleased! I would highly recommend this 96 Grand Caravan SE 3.3Litre to anyone who asks.

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  Fan - 2000 Dodge Intrepid
  By jukeinc - December 1 - 2:00 am

  The car is very solid and could be a blast to drive but my feeling is that there is insufficient air flow to the engine. I am working on ways to improve this horesepower issue and would welcome any ideas. In the future the car should be built with dual exhaust to help a little with whatever drag is occuring in the engine.

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  Nice but probably not again - 2000 Dodge Intrepid
  By michelle sykes - December 1 - 2:00 am

  I bought this baby new off the lot and have had a lot of problems. One week after driving off the lot, the driver side power seat broke. Since then it has gone down hill. Had the seals around the doors and trunk replaced, the entire ac unit after 3 trips to the dealer, 2 transmission pumps and a transmission mother board and a few other minor issues. Very comfortable seats & the trunk is roomy enough to store my double stroller with plenty of room for a entire grocery load!

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  Large SUV feel in a small package - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By ziggymon - December 1 - 2:00 am

  Purchased our 5.2L new in 1999. This has been a wonderful vehicle. Yes, it rides a little stiff, but so do most other SUVs manufactured back then. However, the stiff ride allows for great cornering ability. Everyone knocks the gas milage. Have you checked other V8s fuel economy? Have you replaced your air filter? We just added a K&N air filter and are now getting 20 mpg on the highway! Thats a 2 to 3 mpg improvement. As for the power....WOW! Passing has never been easier! And the pinging has all but disapeared. The truck has been nearly trouble free. Complete the scheduled maintenance and you shouldnt have any major problems.

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  Great New SUV - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By jilesk - December 1 - 2:00 am

  I love this vehicle.

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  Great Van - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By honeypot - December 1 - 2:00 am

  I love this van. The new stow n go seats are great and it is so roomy. I also love the automatic hatch.

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  NOT TOO BAD SO FAR - 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By ROB R - November 30 - 10:00 am

  I HAD ONLY ONE PROBLEM SINCE PURCHASING IT USED..I HAD A SENSOR GO OUT THAT KEPT THE VAN IN 2ND GEAR..IT HAPPENED 2 DAYS AFTER PURCHASING IT SO THE DEALER REPAIRED IT AND GAVE ME A RENTAL CAR..10,000 MILES LATER..ALL IS OK

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  The worst money can buy - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By PEEVED - November 30 - 10:00 am

  I bought my ragedy piece of crap in july of 1999. I wanted to get rid of it a year later. Ive have two transmissions replaced, a selnoid replaced (whatever that is), fuel lines and gauges replaced. Ive taken it to the dealer est. 20 times, mostly for poor performance, lack of power which of coarse they can never seem to find the problem. The gas milage is ridiculous, the power is horrible, esp from a 5.9 liter V8 engine. I hate this SUV so much that im increasing my monthly payments so i can pay it down and trade it in. PLEASE, IF YOU EVER THOUGHT OF BUYING A DURANGO.....DONT. GET A TOYOTA.

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  Reality Check - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By ExZact - November 30 - 2:00 am

  Nice base ride but do not look for extra comforts on this car. Watch out for engine trouble, especially areas related to the cylinder head. Solid tranmission, but a three speed auto limits the top speed as well as giving the impression you are working the engine too hard beyond 75-80 mph.

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  95 dodge neon highline - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By browneyes - November 30 - 2:00 am

  43000 miles when i bought it. Repairs are expensive. I have had to replace the water pump several times, the transmission $3400, alternator, cv joints fuel pump, fuel filter and much more. Oh by the way if you live where it snows, careful getting stuck. This car handles well in the snow i certainly feel safe. Or could that be because it is constantly stuck. Dont rock it.I have put about 7000- 8000 dollars into this car. I drove to new york once, car broke down on the way back in pennsylvania. I have not felt comfortable driving the hour to visit my family for fear that my children and i will be stranded. I swore off dodges after driving this car.