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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  Best Little Car - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By TexRodeo - September 25 - 2:00 am

  This car was bought at a Vehicle Auction sale for the bargan price of $1400. And I bought it from a friend of mine. She has been a Great little car, Comfortable, Reliable and with Cab Forward design....(GREAT LEG Room for all) NO Power but gets me where I need to go with No questions asked.

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  Dodge Neon SXT 2003 - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By TL103 - September 25 - 2:00 am

  Just bought SXT, traded in a KIA.... need I say more. So far so good, love the sportiness. Only have 350 miles on it, but I already love it. Owned a 98 Neon Expresso and 99 Neon R/T, new, after other non-dodge products.... we went back to the most reliable....

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  Once Again the Viper Dominates - 2003 Dodge Viper
  By Y2KGTS - September 25 - 2:00 am

  Having owned a 2000 Viper GTS prior to the SRT-10, I was skeptical that this car would live up to expectations. It blew them away. The looks, which I did not like in pictures, turned out to be nothing less than gorgeous in black. The power is improved, the brakes are incredible, and the car is refined yet not watered down in any way. In the brief time I have owned it, I have won a couple car shows featuring new Vettes and even a few other Vipers. I have also taken it to the drag strip, where it once again dominates. I have yet to encounter any stock car that will come close in performance, including previous Vipers. Bottom line: This car is AWESOME!

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  The Best Minivan there is - 2003 Dodge Caravan
  By hydro - September 25 - 2:00 am

  Just love this minivan, I would rather drive it than my Jag. It holds the road great, has lots of room, noise is quiet, looks good inside and I love the power door options.

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  2003 Dodge Caravan SE - 2003 Dodge Caravan
  By Dashiki - September 25 - 2:00 am

  This is my fourth van built by Chrysler. I purchased each one new and have enjoyed driving them. My new 2003 Caravan SE to replaces the 2000 model I had. This van is wonderful for making long distance trips and for transporting my small family members.

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  QUAD CAB PLEASURE - 2003 Dodge Dakota
  By HANK - September 25 - 2:00 am

  MY DAKOTA SLT QUAD CAB IS LOADED WITH ALL ANYONE WOULD WANT IN A SUV, LET ALONE A TRUCK. IT RIDES LIKE A CAR WITH THE GREAT VIEW AND COMFORT OF THE DRIVERS 6 WAY POWER SEAT. I HAVE THE 5.9 LITER ENGINE AND I AM GETTING MUCH BETTER MILEAGE THAN THE REPORTS SAY, 16 CITY AND 20 HIGHWAY. I FIND NO FAULT AT ALL WITH THOSE NUMBERS FOR THE ABILITY TO TOW LIKE I CAN. IT IS ROOMY AND THE LEATHER BUCKET SEATS MAKE IT EVEN MORE A PLEASURE TO RIDE IN DURING A LONG TRIP. DODGE HAS A GEM IN THE DAKOTA AND IT SHOWS. I AM EXTREMELY HAPPY WITH MY DODGE QUAD CAB AND IT IS ALL I EXPECTED AND MORE.

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  Viper boy - 2003 Dodge Viper
  By Lucas Gabriel - September 24 - 2:00 am

  I love this model of the Viper, I think its the best car Ive ever drove. It is a top of the line car.

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  200 Neon ES - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By TheDon - September 24 - 2:00 am

  Ive had a pretty decent experience with my car so far. Im already up to 97K miles on it. The horn has shorted out several times. Started going through spark plugs fairly quickly after 70K. This car has two converters on it... Most cars only have one. I found this out the hard way. One converter is over $500 for just the part. When one goes out, the other one does to so expect to pay about $800 there. The AC also went out around 90K miles and it didnt need just a recharge...Other than that I havent had any major problems.

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  My Minivan - 2003 Dodge Caravan
  By David &Rebecca James - September 24 - 2:00 am

  This is a very well made and well though out van,the designers had parents in mind when building it.

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  New Car - 2003 Dodge Caravan
  By glass - September 24 - 2:00 am

  So far I am generally happy. I like some features not available when I purchased my last van 9 years ago. There were a few quirks. For example, a hose was not tightened at the factory and I lost AC, and overheated-great billows of steam! It happened in front of the dealership, and I pulled in, I was immediately given a loaner to go on to work, and it was fixed for pick up on my way home. A recall was fixed at the same time. The service of the dealership, and my salesperson have been extordinary.