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:

• 

  Oneawesomelittlesportcoupe - 2001 Dodge Stratus
  By sac7481 - July 10 - 2:00 am

  I am totally in love with my car!!! It is a joy to drive and the Infinity stereo system that is factory installed, it awesome!!! I had the owner of a car audio store say that it is the best that he ever heard from the factory!!!!! Couldnt be happier with my purchase..

• 

  Love this car - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By manson - July 10 - 2:00 am

  Embarassed a Mustang, when he caught up I was suprised to se the GT on the rear. Have got 30 MPG on a 75 MPH trip, regularely get over 25 even with kayak and/or bike on top. Have received unsolicited comments from passengers on comfort. Not the best at any on thing but the best combination of features, comfort and performance. 50,000 miles and no squeeks, rattles or any other problems.

• 

  Good till 75k! - 1995 Dodge Stratus
  By Jay-Dub - July 9 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car used with 50k. It was purchased to make a daily trip of about 125 miles for one year until college grad. That year went well. The car was smooth and fit us well. Im 63" and this was the only small car that I fit comfortably in. There is something bad wrong with the electrical system. For a while the radio wouldnt work one day, then another day work fine, now it doesnt ever work. The check engine light has been on over a year, dealer cant find anything. Brake wear is horrible, at least once a year replacment. Rear end squeaks. The rpm gauge has quit working. Transmission started slipping at 85k. Cant wait to sell!

• 

  NeoncoloredLEMON - 1997 Dodge Neon
  By nowahondadriver - July 9 - 2:00 am

  Off the lot was a piece of garbage. Went through 2 yrs of arb. w/ Chrysler eventually gave me a 75k warranty. More time in shop than in driveway. Clugging sound in suspension, head gasket blew, oil leaked first 2 months, seat cloth defective, bad accel. on automatic, trunk never stay open, blowout nearly killed me, funnel shaped gas tank, bad gas mileage, "alloy wheel" coating disintegrated, bad int. noise, deposit problem in choke and more. Got lucky, head gasket blew just b4 warranty expired so I sold it. Im still paying for the bad karma from its sale.

• 

  Dont repeat my mistake! - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By sirlordsoul - July 9 - 2:00 am

  A rip off! Dont buy this car. I bought mine new and have had an endless series of major repairs (oil leaks, the car computer, door handles coming loose, and the air conditioning -- TWICE!) over seven years. Whatever I "saved" in the relatively low purchase price has been taken away in repairs. And keep in mind that I kept up with ALL of the recommended maintenance. Now Im stuck with a lemon drawing its last breaths! Thank you very much Chrysler -- Im going to avoid your crappy product as long as I live! And they wonder why people dont like American cars ...

• 

  it is a good car - 1996 Dodge Intrepid
  By msparent - July 9 - 2:00 am

  I would buy another one

• 

  Great Car - 1995 Dodge Intrepid
  By amyeco - July 9 - 2:00 am

  I love this car. It is awesome. It handles well and goes fast.

• 

  I LOVE this car!!!!!!!! - 2001 Dodge Neon
  By Buzzilla - July 9 - 2:00 am

  Ive driven a lot of "sport" cars....bmw 325,328, mazda miata, volkswagen corrado, GTI, maxima, SER, I30t, acura 3.2 TL, and many others. This is one of the most fun to drive cars Ive ever driven. Given the other factors of comfort, utility and price this is BY FAR the best value out there. If you can pick up a 2001 or 2002 you will most likely get an amazing deal (like I did).

• 

  2001 Dodge Stratus - 2001 Dodge Stratus
  By friscowhitehouse - July 9 - 2:00 am

  This is a wonderful, classy, looking family car.

• 

  Fun - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By eagleeye13 - July 9 - 2:00 am

  Special ordered 4.7, 3.55 lsd, 5 spd with all the goodies. added 3" dynamax cat back exhaust, K&N air filter and ARE tonneau. July 5,2003 drove from San Diego to San Fernando Valley and back 370 miles speed 75 mph avg (70-80) freeway, with about 30 miles city type driving 19.6 mpg for trip. This truck rides and handles more like a car. Previous trucks were 98 dakota 5.2 with same as 02 accesories, needed more seat room, and 89 se-v6 Nissan loaded, I get better mpg from both Dakotas with more comfort and power then the Nissan.