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, Dependable car - 1997 Dodge Stratus
  By Mopar4Life - August 10 - 2:00 am

  I got this car from my dads job at a dodge dealership at a great price and Ive been nothing but happy with it. The 2.4L in the car is probably the peppiest 4 cyl. in its class. I had the head gasket changed before I got the car (All 95-99 stratus needed the new metallic head gasket). I plan on using this car throughout college without it having a bit of trouble. Im extremely happy with this car, especially with the money i paid for it. GET IT!

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  Best car Ive ever owned! - 1996 Dodge Intrepid
  By Rozzie - August 10 - 2:00 am

  I have 143,000 on my intrepid and its still going strong. Its the best car Ive owned. Its a smooth ride & very dependable.

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  Blue Dakota - 1992 Dodge Dakota
  By DKTKID - August 10 - 2:00 am

  Im in love with my 92 Dakota. There is nothing I would rather drive. I also have a 97 Dakota but I like my V-8 much better. I think they are well built pieces of machinery.

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  Love it! - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By lg - August 10 - 1:40 am

  Bought it new with 16 miles. Now has 84,000. Love it! Stow n go is the best. Lots of room, rides smooth, and very comfortable. Only money we have put into it is for a faulty blinker switch. No other problems. Gets average of 20 mpg (which isnt bad for a van). Auto doors-great when hands are full-just a push of a button. Family is grown, so we are now selling it. Really hate to see it go, but going to something smaller for better gas mileage.

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  A few too many niggles for me - 1998 Dodge Intrepid
  By Boss - August 9 - 2:00 am

  I have to say that my 98 white intrepid es is a beaut. Its too bad though that Ive had to take it to the dealership for repairs one too many times. Brakes are the most troublesome and Ive noticed that the poor plastic quality inside the car is coming off. Another fault though not from the car is the dealership serivce. It stinks! Ive tried three or four closest to my neighbourhood and they are all terrible. Times like this I wish I bought a lexus. Would I buy this car again? Maybe not, I think that for the money Id rather buy a used audi a8.

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  My third Viper, far and away the best! - 2003 Dodge Viper
  By jim lear - August 9 - 2:00 am

  The SRT 10 which I ordered 3 minutes into the "owners only" list in February of 2002 finally arrived (dealer error). It is my 3rd viper, first was 96 limited edition, last was 2000 RT/10. Performace is beyond belief. (I disagree strongly with J.D. Powers review saying power increase is not noticible.)The car is simply awesome, although it took me a while to accept the less agressive front end. Comfort and sound system are vastly superior to RT/10. But alas, after 26 months of no speeding tickets, I picked up tywo last week. Jim Lear, 303 770-5870

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  Would Do it Again - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By Kevin H - August 9 - 2:00 am

  After 40K miles and 2 1/2 years, Im still well pleased with my truck. When I purchased, the main option I considered was the F150 4 door. The Dakota styling, ride, and handling sold me. The truck is just the right size, not the lumbering giant of a full size but not the tuna can of a compact. The fit and finish are good, the 4.7 V8 is an exceptionally strong engine, and the Infinity stereo is one of the best factory systems Ive heard in a truck. No major problems with the truck, although there is some backlash in the transmission thats anoying.

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  Should have been Recalled - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By feqmxa - August 8 - 2:00 am

  Bought it new. Had $8500 of body damage 2 weeks after I bought it. Insurance fixed it(should have totalled it). Head cover gasket started leaking oil around 65000 miles. Had it replaced at $600. Started leaking again around 80000 miles. Then head gasket blew. Donated it to charity.

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  2000 Neon - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By kes - August 8 - 2:00 am

  it rides comfortably with good lumbar support and with a fairly comfortable backseat ride. Problems are the front seat space if you are very small people its fine but if you are on the large side you are constatnly bumping shoulders. The bars between the doors and windshiled cause a blind spot and are hazardous. Interior front and back windows are difficult to clean. Gas mileage for city driving is about 12 miles to the gallon but highway goes up to about 35. Mopar products are not dependable as in 3 batteries in 3 years. Minimal amounts of moisture in the air will cause the brakes to squeal, another Mopar product. Poor weatherstriping

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  Great versatile Dakota Quad Cab - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By dskoczylas - August 8 - 2:00 am

  This truck has everything the typical home owner with kids needs. It has a very roomy cab which easily seats 5 people. The bed is big enough for most household chores. Plus It comes with a V8 to give it necessary power for towning and hauling. It is a blast to drive with the V8 and 5 speed, although the 5 speed is a bit noisy. Great overall truck which I would buy again.