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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  Solid Spirit - 1995 Dodge Spirit
  By yorams - October 25 - 2:00 am

  Bought this car out of the showroom as one of the last Spirits built. 3.0 L V-6 has gobs of torque and launches of the line like a 5.0 Mustang, but runs out of steam early. Gas mileage is great (25 mpg avg) for a torquey V-6. Comfortable,reliable and absolutely no rust!!!! Not bad for an 8 year old car.

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  Oh Those Sensors!!! - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By Wgold - October 25 - 2:00 am

  I also had problems with both sensors. I learned too well what "Limp Mode" was! The total cost for both episodes was about $260 each. Definitively its something that needs to be corrected. I have gone over 100K miles and I use it every day. I love he car and probably would buy another…If they fix those darn sensors.

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  Great Little Car - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By Wigglet - October 25 - 2:00 am

  This car is so great to drive. This is my first car. I feel great in it. Its such a cute car. Although it isnt that great on gas, it still gets me around. It can go fast, and handles very well. I reccomend this car to anyone, especially for a teen agers first car. They are not that expensive, and they still look good.

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  Great car for the money - 2003 Dodge Stratus
  By John420 - October 25 - 2:00 am

  Traded in a 99 Breeze with 83,000 miles for this Stratus 4 cylinder ES used with 19,000 on it.So far its been a Great car. Some minor adjustments like noisy wiper blades and excessive wind noise from the drivers door.I will have to go back to have this fixed again as they adjusted the door, but its still there. Also need to get corrected a noisy wine from altenator. Otherwise it rides smooth and fairly quiet.

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  Doge Rocks - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By Mr.Parker - October 25 - 2:00 am

  I love my Doge because it has alot of legroom and is a real family car

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  awsome care - 1992 Dodge Stealth
  By Guy Miller - October 24 - 2:00 am

  this is car is awsome and fun to drive, its probably the fastest car i have ever had

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  Great car - 2001 Dodge Intrepid
  By mgriffith - October 24 - 2:00 am

  I bought that car in January 2001 with only 24k miles and I am now approaching 85k miles. The only thing I have done to the car is a new set of tires, and regular oil changes along the way. THIS IS A GREAT CAR. I have added an oil air filter to the car which has increased the gas mileage by +15%. I am getting about 30 miles/gallon. The ride is nice, the road noise is fine (as far as Im concerned) I will be looking to get another one when I replace this one.

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  My First Suv. - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By bill thomas - October 23 - 2:00 am

  I swore I would never purchase a SUV of any size shape or form. I considered a Chrysler Convertable or a Dakata truck but when it came to finalizing my decision the Durango was the perfect choice.Then a trip to Mississippi, I live in Memphis Tenn.,to check on a few used Durango when I was able to purchase a new one for over $10,000 off the sticker price. I love driving my SUV.My Durange is not loaded with extras, has power windos, door locks and keyless entry.Just perfect for my needs and plenty of cargo space, its not to big and/or to small.Dodge is doing good with its complete line of vehicles.

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  Dodge Caravan Transmissions Go out at 60k - 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By lanrivers - October 22 - 7:55 pm

  This Van is a curse. I have owned over 5 for fleet and all transmissions average around 60,000 and thats it. Expensive to replace AND many times the rebuild only lasts a week. One had to be rebuilt 3 times. Too expensive. Why Dodge doesnt correct this problem? The mechanic told me they could if they put the correct hardened components in but they dont want to because it helps there service Dept. create revenue that they would not have if it was too dependable. Big Scam. Avoid this van unless you have very deep pockets. Cost me 10s of thousands over 10 years. Keep away.

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  Awesome vehicle - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By Barry Dufoe - October 22 - 3:40 pm

  Great vehicle to drive, with plenty of room. The Hemi runs spectacular, and mileage is better than the Trailblazer inline 6. I highly recommend it. Great body fit and finish. Perfect paint(silver). its the #1 SUV in looks/ interior. Chrysler guages are easy on your eyes. it has the most comfortable seats, and the front window is shaped so the sun is not in your eyes. Well done Dodge