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 Car - 2004 Dodge Intrepid
  By TBYRD - September 6 - 2:00 am

  This is my first Dodge and I love it! There is so much room inside, I do not think I could go back to a smaller car.

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  Nats Stratus - 2003 Dodge Stratus
  By NATALYEANNE - September 6 - 2:00 am

  I really enjoy my Stratus b/c it has a lot of get up and go. There is a slight delay when you are taking off but once you do...look out. The 6 disk cd changer in the dash with the oontrols behind the steering wheel is very convenient. I like it much better than having the controls in the front. It could stand to have a litte more leg room in the back though!

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  My Baby Stratus - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By bigbear69 - September 6 - 2:00 am

  I really like this car....Its very reliable over the last 1 1/2 years. Great power, great look, great performance!! There are only 2 drawbacks to this car.....really only one MAJOR gripe! The front rims become FILTHY.....after any kind of trip. The brake dust is just disgusting....I love to keep my car in PRISTINe shape, but the front rims are the only downfall.

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  base model c van - 2003 Dodge Caravan
  By bkj - September 6 - 2:00 am

  basic caravan very good no problems

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  Fast! Fast! FAst! - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By The Athlete - September 6 - 2:00 am

  This car is Fast! Fast! Fast! All I can say is this EVO, beat it! WRX STI, beat it. The cars in its class offer no real chalange. For the money this is a superior buy. Even my wife loves the speed and the handling of the car. If you dont own one, you are missing out. This the new King of the road. Oh yeah BMW M3, Havent had the chance yet, but Im confident. *I do not encourage street drags, or Racing.

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  What a dog!! - 2003 Dodge Dakota
  By stuart brown - September 6 - 2:00 am

  I rectently purchased a 6 cylinder quad cab. Do not ever buy that engine. It has no power when going into a 20 mph wind on the interstate. I heard a big sucking sound. It was my gas leaving my tank. I would never again buy this vehicle.

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  Love It - 2003 Dodge Dakota
  By shellfish - September 6 - 2:00 am

  I Love My Dakota. Never Any Problems. No Snow Was Too Much For The Truck To Handle. Roomy And Comfortable. And Affordable

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  I love my Durango - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By Grammie - September 6 - 2:00 am

  I purchased a 2004 SLT 2 wheel drive 4.7 liter. I have only had it for 3 days, BUT I LOVE IT. I had a 98 Ram quad cab pick up that I trade in and got a GREAT DEAL on my new Durango. The only thing I am not crazy about is the lack of storage in the drivers area. The glove compartment is small, andso is the center storage area. I love the 4.7 liter. It will get up and run. I have not had it on a extended road trip yet, but I have had it on the HWY and was very impressed with, everything about it.

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  Love love love my new car - 2009 Dodge Charger
  By melissa mcintosh - September 5 - 3:57 am

  This is a very sexy car! After owning a 97 Lexus and upgrading to this charger Im in love. The ride is smooth, the control is amazing. The interior is nice, Im super happy.

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  Nice Compact Car - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By Old Grandpa - September 5 - 2:00 am

  This car is very impressive as far as horsepower. It is a bit sluggish with the A/C running, but thats the norm of most cars. The 5 speed gearbox tends to need a bit of help. (sloppy between gears and hard to get into reverse) The susspension is awsome in the car, no leaning in the corners,(60mph on a 25mph corner)and the car does not slide either. Manual rear windows with power front windows seems a bit odd though. Otherwise I feel that its a great little car.