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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  Love it - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Heidi - October 12 - 6:03 pm

  I love this journey. We have had no problems with it since we have owned it. The space is awesome, easy to get in and out of the way the doors open so wide. Love my third seat. The radio sounds awesome. Fun to drive and quiet on the road.

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  Research pays off - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Efrain Feliciano - October 12 - 7:20 am

  I researched this car for about 6 months before purchasing. Lots of fun to drive and the car handles great in the rain. I am anxious to see how it handles in the snow. The engine can be a little noisy but I dont mind it at all and the sound system is really good.

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  Took a gamble and... - 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By trafficfdr - October 12 - 2:56 am

  Bought a 12 DGC SXT certified used rental vehicle. I know that these are two sins in my book until I saw price gouging from the other manufacturers. I bought the van for $ 17 K less than the competitor new with less amenities. My van was a year old and had 20 K on the odometer. For insurance reasons I took advantage of Dodges Lifetime warranty, which does not expire for the entire ownership of the vehicle. Currently we have put 5K on the van and one road trip approx 900 miles, we Averaged 28.9 miles with the Econ button on. Sweet, I never got that in either the 10 Pilot or 11 Cr-v. Btw I was a Honda fanatic.

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  Dodge introuble not intrepid - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By Andy Lohden - October 12 - 2:00 am

  Last post 90 car I am buying. I traded in an Eclipse, because I wanted a car that was more reliable, but it was just as junky as the eclipse. I replaced every sensor and a $320 Fuel pump in the first year. Took Dodge dealer 2months to figure out the fuel pump problem. I bought a 84 Ford Crown Vic for $500 to get me around until the dodge was fixed. The Crown Vic never gave me a problem, so I tried to sell the Dodge, but I cant get what I owe on it. I hope it likes the barn Im going to store it in until I can sell the garbage. Be wise buy an old clunker itll get you further then the new junks without the payment. Dodge, Eclipse hater.

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  Good Car - 2001 Dodge Intrepid
  By rjack - October 12 - 2:00 am

  My R/T drives very well when I dont have any of these problem. The problem that I had is the entire exhaust was replaced due to a buzz noise in one of the muffler. My passenger side door has been squeaking from the start, the booster (power brake was replaced), my car is alway pulling to the right & all of my windows make noise when rolling the windows upward of down. If the dealer can fix these problems it would be a perfect car.

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  SO FAR SO GOOD - 2001 Dodge Durango
  By KRBE57 - October 12 - 2:00 am

  I BOUGHT MY DURANGO USED.LIKE THE BODY STYLE AS IT STANDS OUT FROM OTHER SUVS. 4.7 ENGINE HAS GOOD PULLING POWER AND IT GETS UP AND GOES WHEN I NEED IT TO. STIFF RIDE BUT I LIKE THAT AS IT IS A TRUCK AFTER ALL AND THAT IS WHY I BOUGHT IT. LOVE THE SOUND OF THE V-8.

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  Horrible Vehicle - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Frank - October 11 - 6:23 am

  This is by far the worst vehicle I have every owned. I have had the rear heating/cooling system replaced 4 times in less then a year. Now at 16K miles I need all new brakes and rotors which Im told is normal (no way!) And MPG keeps dropping and they cant figure out why, down from 20 to 16 since my last oil change. This is my second Dodge and I have had nothing but problems with both, I would never buy another Dodge again nor would I recommend someone buy one.

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  Comfotable car - 1997 Dodge Intrepid
  By Tim Pelke - October 11 - 2:00 am

  It is a nice sports luxury model sedan to drive near or far distances. Very comfortable. Doesnt waste fuel fast at all. recomend it to a smaller family.

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  No more dodge - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By no more dodge - October 11 - 2:00 am

  After three years of major repair bills Ive finally given up. Rack & pinion out at 60K and average repair bill around $2K per year. Now it has a mysterious starting problem that has put it in the shop for 4 weeks straight that the mechanics cant figure out. I bought another vehicle last week.

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  Plesantly surprised - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By Roozster - October 11 - 2:00 am

  I never thought Id own a dodge but after driving it at the dealership and the GREAT rebates they were offering it put the Explorer to shame between options and price!