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 intrepid - 2003 Dodge Intrepid
  By georgeh. - September 20 - 2:00 am

  great car - plenty of room for four adults and then some - smooth ride-handles easy - good on gas (19/24) - maintenance has been routine and minimal - good old fashion big detroit car with style and all the extras - even my teenagers love to drive it. im a sales mgr. and on the road all day , many over night trips and the car is comfortable and performs well

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  Has been Great - 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By cobalt - September 19 - 10:00 am

  Have had van for 5 years and 107000 miles, to only things that I have done is reg maint. One battery and 2 sets of brakes, 2nd set at 100000 miles. I can fit the whole house in to this van when I go on vacation and still have room for the fam. and still get good MPG, around 20. I didnt buy it for its looks or performance. I bought it for the basic use of a van.

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  if only dodge cared! - 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By soubie - September 19 - 10:00 am

  i have owned three dodge minivans. i love the room they offer as i have 4 children, a husband and a dog! but as far as the reliability of this auto forget it. have a problem dodge doesnt care! squeaks alot after the second year of ownership. transmission problems, MANY!! THE TRANSMISSIONS WENT ON ALL THREE!!!! DID THEY CARE NO EVEN AFTER THE WARRANTY HAD JUST RUN OUT THAT WEEK!!!! THEIR GREAT FOR ROOM. BUT FOR ANYTHING ELSE THEIR A WASTE! IF I EVER RAN MY COMPANY THE WAY AUTO COMPANIES RUN THEIRS ID BE OUT OF BUSINESS!!! BUY A HONDA VAN INSTEAD!

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  Disappointed - 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Dsspntd - September 19 - 10:00 am

  The things fixed since buying the van new : Power window and door actuators, exhaust manifold(cracked shortly after new) , power steering (excessive leak), front rotors (warped 30,000), onto my 3rd water pump within the last year and its leaking again. I took a chance on buying this Dodge Caravan and put my faith in American made. Sorry never again, maybe Buick. Ive owned a Buick Skyhawk, Ford Mustang, Oldsmobile Cutlass, Buick LeSabre, Acura Integra, Dodge Colt, VW Passat (all 80s and 90s models)

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  I love my Intrepid - 1996 Dodge Intrepid
  By Joe Dow - September 19 - 2:00 am

  I have had my "96"Intrepid for 7 years, and it has started for me every time I went out to start it. A while back we went on a trip and we averaged 29 miles to the gallon. This is why I am ordering a new one this year. I heard this was going to be the last year for the Intrepid, and I want a new one.

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  awsome car - 2003 Dodge Stratus
  By stever k - September 19 - 2:00 am

  This car is a dream to drive. For the amount of money I paid for this car. Im 62" tall and this car fits me perfect. The 2.4L engine runs like a champ with the 5spd. I love the 32mpg on ave. A car this size getting that good of gas mileage. WOW!! I would not tell any one not to get this car..

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  best thing i ever owned - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By Anggie - September 19 - 2:00 am

  We love the suv that was the best suv we could have wanted i just dont like the gas milage but it will do cause i wanted that suv over others

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  Short Review: 03 Dodge Durango SLT Plus - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By mcmanial122 - September 19 - 2:00 am

  It looks cool on the inside, Powerful enough to pull just about anything, and all the seat controls the driver has are on the passenger side as well

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  Awesome - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Kim - September 18 - 3:20 am

  Ive only had my car for 5 days but it is just an incredible feeling to get behind the wheel of this car. So comfortable, solidly built, you feel safe, secure and at the same time stylish. I love everything about it!

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  my neon - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By rackboy - September 18 - 2:00 am

  excellant value and vechile for the buck