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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  Great box on wheels. Great college car. - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By bartwart - September 7 - 2:00 am

  Weve owned our NEON since it was new in 1996. Im going to buck the trend here and actually tell you that this is the best, most reliable vehicle Ive ever owned. However, we got it with a manual transmission and NO options, period. No AC, no power anything, no radio, no nothing. This is your prototypical box on wheels. We even get 40 mpg! At this rate it will last us another 10 years.

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  Well rounded car - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By Ryan Barnett - September 7 - 2:00 am

  this car looks decent for the price and drives good whether it be just for a cruise or leaving it stock and drag racing it on the weekends like me. Ive gained credit for racing it and beating many of the v8 mustangs. bracket racing of course but its a great car for the money.

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  Way-to-Go Dodge - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By EZMatt - September 7 - 2:00 am

  Bought this vehicle 12/7/02 has not been back to the shop for any reason. We have towed a 2800lb boat through the Ozarks on two seperate occassions and hardly noticed the boat was behind us. Just for information when you go through the Ozarks the roads are mostly winding two lane highways. We have towed with this vehicle about 1,000mi. and does a great job. Our vehicle has the 4.7 which is decent on mpg and lots of power. My wife loves her Durango. Dodge did a GREAT JOB on this vehicle

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  Cant wait to trade - 2003 Dodge Dakota
  By dellorto - September 7 - 2:00 am

  Bought it as a 2001 in late 2000. 4 months later, 3 trips to dlr to correct bad suspension bushings. Gas economy horrible. Brake discs failed 2X in first 12K miles.Transfer case failed in woods at inopportune time,1000 to repair @49K miles. Rear end now clunks and noticable vibration at highway since repair, dealer says its ok. Still has loud graunch over modest bumps, now has loud rattles in suspension over small bumps. Cant wait to get rid of it.

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  good bang for the buck - 2003 Dodge Dakota
  By The Dinger - September 7 - 2:00 am

  I would encourage anyone thinking of buying what amounts to a midsize entry to the compact class pick up truck. Its chief competor is the Toyota Tacoma nough said. The choice was pretty easy for me too. With a 3.9L V6 engine, responsive handling, and a high-up snug feeling suspension, youll find this truck a pleasure to drive, on road or off. My only complaint is that there is not enough room to rest my arm on the seatbacks, old school country style. My uncle used to say, "comparisons are odious." And I never knew quite what he meant by that. But if it comes down to a Toyota Tacoma or a Dodge Dakota...well, go out and buy one.

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  5 seconds of fun, then coast - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By B Brunkhurst - September 6 - 12:10 pm

  ... because after you hit 60 mph shell roll to the county line! Thinking about Mopars lastest Hemi sedan? How about 0-60 in 5.7 seconds? How about 19.5 mpg back and forth to work? How about head-snappin good looks? How about a comfortable ride thats not afraid of the twisties? How about a heated leather seat thats more comfy than a Laz-y-boy? Traction control? Electronic Stablity Control? 4-wheel independent suspension? Polished 18" wheels with 60 series rubber? Music Hall quality sound with Sirius and 6 disc in-dash changer? For under $30,000K? A new 2004 Pacifica for my wife convinced me that DaimlerChrysler is the future of Detroit iron. If your looking for a new ride; go Charger R/T!

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  The car that could & Dealership didnt! - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By Outlawjedi - September 6 - 2:00 am

  I love this car, I got one of the last ones off the assemly line. I custom ordered the car. My main complaint was the dealership, Tupelo Auto Sales (Tupelo,MS) service department is the worst dealership I have ever dealt with. They swindled me out of nearly 2,000 dollars in faulty work & breaks. An example, they supposed to install mophar parts, well guess where they went to get my break pads, WAL-MART!. They never told me ANYTHING.The bill even shows Mophar break pads!!! Oh well guess I have to go WAY out of my way to have service done.

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  mopower - 2003 Dodge Viper
  By dragfast - September 6 - 2:00 am

  A true present day muscle car,anyone that does not agree should check their pulse.The fact is that MOPAR is always improving on a already outstanding supercar,that seems like their could not be anymore to improve upon.The bottom is that the Dodge Viper holds its own against the worlds elite.

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  best dodge - 2003 Dodge Viper
  By Gellar4life - September 6 - 2:00 am

  Everything you look for in a Dream Car

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  GREAT CAR - 2003 Dodge Viper
  By FRED VOSS - September 6 - 2:00 am

  THIS CAR FAR EXCEEDS MY EXPECTATIONS