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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  Another good one - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By jefferson - November 4 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car about a year ago with 17K. No repairs have been needed, just routine maint. It is really at its best on curvy roads, the suspension/tire combination handles the sharp turns well. Nice power when it is just me in the car but when it is loaded down I miss my99 with the DOHC engine.

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  Great Design, Poor Quality - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By Bob443 - November 4 - 2:00 am

  Love this truck to drive. Looks good handles good, cleans up nice. One big shortfall - the overall maintenance and repair level is high and unacceptable. After owing this vehicle for 44 months I am spending annually about $2000 in repairs while I have spent less than $500 TOTAL for a Honda van of about the same age and mileage. Oil leaks, differential leaks, leaking heater cores, bad air conditioning clutch, heated mirrors have failed etc.... Just too much, it shouldnt be this way!

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  want it to be mine! - 2016 Dodge Charger
  By Jean Koone - November 3 - 2:13 pm

  Loved my rental of the Dodge Challenger and so did my 3 1/2 year old grand daughter

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  99 Dodge R/T - 1999 Dodge Neon
  By Kevin K - November 3 - 2:00 am

  Great car so far.

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  Lovn it! - 1996 Dodge Dakota
  By penelope - November 3 - 2:00 am

  From the 1st Dakota I owned, a totaled 1993 slt ext cab completely rebuilt salvage, to a perfect 94, to my current perfect 96 model. The center of gravity makes handling easy & safe. The ride is much stronger than a s-10 or ford ranger. I luv this truck its safety, ride, looks, & dependability even into 200,000 ml. Gas economy is better in the 94 but still @ 20mpg. Anyone who wants to own one, buy w/as low mls, & limited transferred ownership as possible. Mine pulls a horse trlr, pop-up camper & small sailboat. It is low to the ground & easy for me to get in and out of. Stay w/ v6, v8, and 4x4 models, no sport.

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  A great vehicle. - 2001 Dodge Durango
  By ZR - November 3 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Durango. After leasing a 98 Durango, I was so impressed, when it was time to give it back in 01 I instead sold it to my best friend and nieghbor and bought a new one. Neither my freind or I have had a single issue and are continually impressed with the performance and build quality to this day. Both Durangos are 5.9 SLT Plus.

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  I love my durango! - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By nursiegrl - November 3 - 2:00 am

  This is our first suv. It is great! The only problems in 4 years was a battery issue at 9 mos., and just last month we had to replace the front A- arms/ball joints due to wear. This vehicle is great off road. It goes anywhere you point it. the only time I ever got stuck,I high-centered on a sand hill (my fault!). It seats my 4 teens and friends with comfort, handles well, tows anything we have needed it to, is very well made, sound and solid.

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  A very good truck - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By Joe Finn - November 3 - 2:00 am

  this truck is outstanding v8 power people say nice truck Id buy it again two years 35,000 miles no repairs just tires.

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  Poor Quality & Reliability - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By GKS - November 3 - 2:00 am

  Within the first 2,000 miles, the Durango has been returned to the dealer for warranty repairs to the a/c system, transmission, rear differential, weatherstrips, and seat cover material. The Durango SLT with the 5.9 engine was built very poorly and has very poor quality and reliability. I have no confidence in the vehicles long-term reliability or dependability.

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  The 96 Mini Van Energizer Bunny - 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Van-Man - November 2 - 4:13 pm

  Its funny, people have transmission problems because they just drive. You "must" change the transmission fluids at 30,000 miles, just like oil changes at 3000. Ive had zero probelms with mine; now at 160,000 miles! It runs and drives like the day it was new, seriously! So if you like roomy, cadillac feel and excellent fuel economy, buy a Caravan. They are a hidden secret most people dont realize how nice they are to drive and haul just about anything around in. Ive had passengers say how comfortable the seats are, you can remove the back seats for extra leg room, what more could you ask for. The perfect van for our family has been the Dodge Caravan "We own TWO!!!