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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  dodge - 2003 Dodge Stratus
  By bender - October 4 - 2:00 am

  It seems to be a rough ride

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  Wow...My first new car! - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By DJ Cha Cha - October 4 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned a 1969 Plymouth Valiant for 10 years. This is my first "new" car and Im loving every moment. I do agree with everyone on here writing good reviews. Im surprised at the great fuel economy for a v6 and love the tight suspension. I just put 18 inch wheels with 225/40/18 tires on it and man do they grab the curves of the road. I have not seen many of these cars around the Medford Oregon area. I get a lot of compliments on my car and everyone wants to know what it is. All in all I cant complain. I pray that I dont have the head gasket problem that Ive read about in the late 90s models.

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  my third minivan - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By jackg - October 3 - 8:23 pm

  Ive been around the block with minivans over 15 years and wagons before that. This is the best one I have owned, and I really liked the previous G Caravan and the T & C before this. Decent driving, good comfort, good power (3.8 engine), and no problems at 29000 miles. Best mpg Ive had (25 hiway, 19-20 town), and I love the Stow and Go. I dont know what the "professional reviewers are looking for in a mini, but this has everything I look for. And it has more usable space than any other. Thats what led me to the Chrysler T&C in 94.

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  Did my homework... - 2003 Dodge Dakota
  By summerst - October 3 - 2:00 am

  I went for the 4.7l V8, with the 5 speed automatic upgrade. I have logged a lot of miles in a lot of different vehicles and this is one of the most responsive power trains Ive ever driven. This truck was broken in demandingly on and off road and has handled both effortlessly. When I decided I was in the market for a truck I did my homework and came up with the Dakota as the best of all aspects I needed and wanted. Better yet the critics supported my findings. Ive changed my motor oil over to a leading synthetic and expect this truck to last a long time.

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  My Station Wagon - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By james - October 2 - 5:46 am

  I like my Station wagon except for one thing the transmission shifts really hard and it kind of annoying, and the manufactur dues not let you put a smoother transmission fluid in the car. And my radio dues not play MP3s like it is subpose too. Otherwise I am satisfied.

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  Everything Breaks - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By Joe Vdiddy - October 2 - 2:00 am

  I had less then 36,000 miles on my car and the heat and air conditioning stopped working. The car gets a moldy smell that I have brought back to the dealer 5 times for and they cant figure out what the problem is. The break sensor started going off 3 months into ownership and I have had the breaks looked at and now replaced but the light continues to go on around corners. The guy at the dealership says we can disconnect the fuse-great what happens when there is a real problem. The car

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  2002 SLT + Happy Owner - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By willi - October 2 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my Durango that was a Chrysler executive vehicle with 32000 miles. We have taken it on two 1000+ mile trips, and the fuel economy is about equal to the rating. I have the 4.7 engine and am completely satisfied with the performance. I have only towed with it one time, but there was no problem with power whenn I was towing a car on a 2 wheel dolly.

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  whatd you mean review title? - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By nickolimartini - October 2 - 2:00 am

  Couldnt have gotten a better truck for the buck, way better than any ford or chevy weve ever owned. Very rugged, never a single little problem with it, and great torque and power.

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  Super Van - 1999 Dodge Caravan
  By Manga & Beba - October 1 - 2:00 am

  Do the maintenance and enjoy the ride!

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  2003 DURANGO SLT - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By STEVE DUDZINSKI - October 1 - 2:00 am

  OUR 2003 DURANGO SLT HAS BEEN AN EXCELLENT FAMILY VEHICLE. IT SEATS UP TO 7 ADULTS,WITH PLENTY OF LEG, HEAD AND SHOULDER ROOM.IT HAS PLENTY OF CARGO ROOM FOR GETTING ITEMS IN AND OUT EASILY.EVEN THOUGH ITS A TRUCK IT RIDES VERY SMOOTH. ONLY COMPLAINT IS REGARDING THE GAS MILEAGE, ABOUT 13 CITY, 17 HIGHWAY.