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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  Love this rig!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By kiss - August 23 - 2:00 am

  this truck is very reliable with good brakes and good rear ac. I will for sure probably buy a new one.

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  Dodge Charger R/T - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Sandra G Corbett - August 22 - 4:30 pm

  I was actually shopping for a Cadillac; test drove Cadillac, BMW, Audi, Mercedes, then saw the Dodge Charger. Drives like a dream; when they say "performance" they really mean PERFORMANCE!!! Tight, responsive handling; glide of a ride; lots of rear seat head room; on-demand power with a very light foot. Fabulous visual impression with striking impact. AWESOME!!! My son is even impressed with the Hemi!The problem is getting the opportunity to drive myself, as my husband & son are competing for the priviledge of chaufering me :-}

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  DAMN GOOD CAR - 1997 Dodge Avenger
  By AUNEMAN - August 22 - 2:00 am

  This is not the fastest sports car on the road but, it is a damn good one.

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  this car rocks - 2003 Dodge Viper
  By dracula - August 22 - 2:00 am

  the is the best I have seen in years !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  Former Mopar Lover - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By cobraarvey - August 22 - 2:00 am

  Was a big Mopar lover until the mid 80s until quality dropped dramatically. Then I went to Ford. But I always held some allegiance to Chrysler products and even own a 74 Duster 360 with 40,00 miles that I have had since new. Decided to give Mopar a try again with the 2000 Durango R/T. Wrong move!!! In the shop several times a year, and basically a piece of junk. Has had a head gasket replaced, fan clutch, catalytic converter, ignition wires, etc, all with less than 50,000 miles. Has died on the road on two occasions so far, and had to be towed while my family was on trips. Meanwhile my 93 Ford Explorer went to 70,000 miles without a hitch.

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  No Value - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By newpwrsol - August 22 - 2:00 am

  Even after I said I would never buy an american made veichle I was forced to after the terrible high resale value of a Toyota. I got the truck and have been very impressed with everything but the value. I got the truck just over a year ago for 14,500 and now i am begging someone to take on trade if for 8000.00. This is why Ill never buy american again.

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  Great SUV - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By kennysbesthalf - August 22 - 2:00 am

  Looked at several SUVs everything from Durango to Yukon,after we drove a Durango we knew it was the SUV that we wanted,we were searching for a white SXT.Union Dodge had exactly what we wanted at a good price and an excellent sales team.We love it !!!!!

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  GOOFY - 2001 Dodge Intrepid
  By Lou Costello - August 21 - 2:00 am

  Roomy, fun to drive and reliable.

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  Dodge Sport Grand Caravan - 2003 Dodge Caravan
  By RADM1 - August 21 - 2:00 am

  I am very happy with this vehicle. I have the large engine and it handles hills, mountains etc very well. The interior allows for very comfortable long and short trips. One minor problem is the difficulty in removing and returning chairs to their position in the van. The chairs & bench seat are very heavy and require two to remove them with out damage or injury. Other wise I just love this van and would buy another. Plaza Dodge in Holiday,Florida are the best. Tried to deal with AutoWay Doge first what a mess!

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  Dakotas for life - 1994 Dodge Dakota
  By Dakotasforlife - August 20 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive and the most reliable vehicle ever built I haved owned an 87 Dakota and ran it for 396000 miles it was still running when it crashed but not worth saving so I moved on to a 94 Sport with extended cab and have had no problems in my 45000 miles.