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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  Done with Dodge/Chrysler - 1998 Dodge Caravan
  By done with dodge - July 17 - 2:00 am

  At around 22K the trouble started. Front brakes went out, front disk rotor?s were pitted (I believe because of poor quality from supplier),at around 39K, BRAKES WENT BAD AGAIN! Same issue bad disk brakes had to replace new rotors and brakes again. We also had problems with valve cover gaskets, which caused a major oil leak. TIGHTING UP bolts on covers DOES NOTHING! As they end up loosing up every 10 to 12 thousand miles or so. Transmission just went out yesterday at 58K miles. As luck would have it, at the start of a vacation trip, THANK?S DODGE!!!!!!!!!! Good bye Dodge, hello Honda or Toyota.

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  I luv my Intrepid - 2003 Dodge Intrepid
  By Lenay - July 17 - 2:00 am

  I love this car. This is my 2nd one. I had a 2000 and when I had to turn it in I went and got another one. I loved the 2000 but the 2003 drives 100% better. The 2000s pick up was a bit slow but this one, all I have to do is put my foot on the gas. It has so much room. It is the best road trip car I have ever driven. I feel as if Im floating on air. As long as Dodge keeps making the Intrepid to drive and ride this way I will keep buying them.

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  Nice - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By Venom2I - July 17 - 2:00 am

  No problems in 16k miles and I drive hard.

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  Durango Bob - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By Butch - July 17 - 2:00 am

  The Dodge Durango was always one of my favorite SUVs. It was a vehicle that I coveted. It has turned out to be everything that I had imagioned it to be. Fun to drive, stable, comfortable and it didn?t hurt that I got a terrific deal. The 70,000 mile warranty is a real selling point. All I have to do is put gas in it! (So they said.) All this for $3,000 less than the sticker. As they say "Tax, title, warranty-out the door!"

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  Hard to Part! - 1991 Dodge Stealth
  By Peachyqueen - July 16 - 2:00 am

  I have had my baby since July, 1991 and it is still so exciting and reliable to drive, I am hard pressed to get a new car!! I know that it is time since my mileage is 212289, but I there arent any cars that are as sharp, reliable and unique, and lets not forget reasonable as the Stealths were when they first came out! My car has had a rebuilt transmission, cv-joints replaced, a few other repairs, and my air-conditioner and radio doesnt work (well sometimes the radio works) but I can always start it on a dime and pass people with ease! One of the best decisions Dodge and I ever made!

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  Best bang for your buck - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By Badco - July 16 - 2:00 am

  Ive had the car for 5 years and 69,000 miles. Love driving this car. Alot of fun to drive everyday. Ive had the head gasket replaced under warranty at 45K. EGR valve several times. Sunroof assembly replaced once. Other than that it has been a wonderful car to me. Well worth the money paid. I plan on keeping this car for a long time.

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  My 5th Intrepid - Good as ever - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By LarryBoet - July 16 - 2:00 am

  I have owned 5 Intrepids (actually 4 + 1 Eagle Vision). The last one (1999 ES) went over 100,000 miles before the first repair ($600). Unlike previous experiences with [mainly] Toyota, where I have spent up to 1/2 the new car value in repairs over the first 130,000 miles, the Intrepids have served me well.

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  Looks are deceiving - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By Seekingpeace - July 16 - 2:00 am

  I love the looks of this sporty car..but it stops there...Brake problems, unknown wheelwell noise, road noise, door handle broke at 33000, a/c poor, gas mileage poor, paint sucks, fading peeling at 33000 miles, general poor overall body quality. Got it cheap...its true you get what you pay for...would not by another Intrepid

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  2000 G.C. SE - 2000 Dodge Caravan
  By FLORESJOE - July 16 - 2:00 am

  IM BEEN PLEASED FOR 2-1/2 YAERS, WITH THIS VAN.TRANSMISSSION HOSE AND THE BATTERY,THE ONLY THING THAT HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH 60,000 MILES ON IT.STILL HAVE ORIGINAL TIRES (G.Y.REGATTA 2) GREAT TIRES

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  Dont get suckered - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By N. Eon Hatreed - July 15 - 2:00 am

  -car is ~1yr old and has an avg. trade in $ of $5500.00 NOT GOOD($18K new!!! -poor CD player location -car has no power, expected -uses too much gas -lack luster styling