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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  Beastly family car even on a budget! - 2016 Dodge Charger
  By Paul - July 23 - 5:31 pm

  First off, Im a 25 year living in Michigan. We get snow and rain most of the year so I chose the AWD. Although this model is only a V6, it is quite powerful. The AWD Charger is actually a RWD vehicle that goes into AWD when the vehicle slips or when the temp falls below a certain degree. At the slightest push of the pedal, the vehicle gets up and goes! This makes it very fun to take off on green lights. Ive personally tested the vehicle to reach speeds of 125 before struggling to continue. I did this on a closed course and do not recommend doing this on any open roads as the vehicle does shake at these speeds. The vehicle interior is very basic for a sporty car but to be honest it fills all your needs. Plenty of room, many compartments, great location for USB/Aux, audio and temp controls readily accessible. I had no complains driving this vehicle other than the all season tires that came from the factory.

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  Never buy another chrysler product - 2003 Dodge Caravan
  By flanders - July 23 - 2:00 am

  Have been buying chrysler minivans since 1989. Last 2 models have had nothing but one tramsmission problem after another. Kids complain about stiff seats. Have to have the belt replaced too many times. Would not recommend to anyone until Chrylser decides to do something about its transmission problems.

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  2001 Dakota Sport 4x4 a Great Truck - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By Jons Truck - July 23 - 2:00 am

  My 2001 Dakota Sport 4x4 with Off-Road package has been awesome to date. I ordered the truck to my specs, and the first one arrived with paint damage from shipping. The dealership ordered me a new one. The second one arrived with no problems. Comfort, power, and quality of this truck are second to none. I have had absolutely no problems with this vehicle. Unfortunately, the fuel economy is low (14 mpg) but expected with this type of vehicle, especially the off-road package. I highly recommend the Dakota Sport 4x4!

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  My Durango - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By tut00 - July 23 - 2:00 am

  Very nice truck. Like it alot.

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  Tires!!! - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Rose M - July 22 - 8:26 am

  After reading quite a few of these reviews, the common theme is tire issues. I, too, have been told that my tires need to be replaced. I have been told that it could be because of my alignment, suspension, tire pressure, you name it!! It just seems odd that a lot of people seem to have this issue. Chrysler wont do anything, sent me to Firestone, who sent me back to the dealership. Not good!! Very poor customer service. When are they going to take the hint and look into what is causing the problem?

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  93, The Best Year - 1993 Dodge Stealth
  By you dont need toknow - July 22 - 2:00 am

  This is a great car for its affordable price. Everyone on the street always stares when your drivingand many people do not know the car and inquire if the car is brand new. The stealth exterior seems to be dateless.Now that many stealths have high mileage, are rusty, or are wrecked stealths that are near perfect condition with low mileage are collectors items and will fetch high prices. The car is comfortable in the front, the back seats are meant for smaller people.

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  A supercar for the price of a sedan - 1992 Dodge Stealth
  By gglafont - July 22 - 2:00 am

  This car doesnt age at all. Its design is not outdated after more than 10 years. The tires dont wear out, it doesnt use that much fuel for the power you get. It stick to the road under bad conditions, much better than any Porshe or BMW. Its only bad point is a overweight/brake disc size. Its price used is not even half of the true value of what you get.

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  Aging - 1995 Dodge Stratus
  By DTrain - July 22 - 2:00 am

  The first years of my ownership were great. No problems were encountered, that came out of pocket, except the Catalytic convertor. Gas mileage was terrific, friends love the roomy backseat. My car has 130k miles,the last 20k miles have been terrible. Brakes are eaten like candy (especially front ones) and Dodge wouldnt fix them although there was a recall. Head gasket replaced and the oil has leaked for the past 60k miles. To many other problems to mention. I would not buy another Chrysler or Dodge, unless it was a truck. Where is the battery placed, terrible ideal..

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  Disappointed - 1996 Dodge Intrepid
  By Bartender10 - July 22 - 2:00 am

  I have been disappointed with my 96 Intrepid ES. Purchased new. Water pump went out 300 miles before the warranty expired (fortunately for me). Have had trouble with factory radio/CD player not working. Bushings have failed on the rack and pinion steering box (expensive and impossible to get to). Spent a lot of time/money trying to solve a driveability problem - turned out to be an intake manifold gasket leak. Paint is fading badly on the top and it has completely flaked off the side window mouldings. Body intregrity is less than acceptable. I dont think that I will ever pay $25K+ for a new Dodge again.

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  after 10 years - 1993 Dodge Caravan
  By anonymous - July 22 - 2:00 am

  1 owner, leaking oil, new shocks, new transmission, new front brake rotors and calipers, new windshield, been stolen once, failed aircare twice this year after 10 years of abuse. the air conditioner doesnt without making a loud screeching noise. engine makes a ticking noice when idling. automatic transmission shifter feels uneasy.