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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  awesome!!!! - 2001 Dodge Stratus
  By cjfri - July 1 - 2:00 am

  I have loved dodge since i owned my avenger what a wonderful experiance i have had with my cars. I love the way they take care of me. Drove from colorado to iowa without a problem.

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  ralph - 2003 Dodge Intrepid
  By ralph jaros - June 30 - 2:00 am

  this car is great, roomy, good mileage city and highway, great handling, this car is so well liked i am planning to by my 3rd

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  Love My Dodge - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By PaulNY - June 30 - 2:00 am

  I have had my Dakota Since October 00. 32,000 miles later, I have had no problems. Its Comfortable, and looks and drives great. However, living in a colder climate, my only regret is not getting the 4x4.

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  Neon R/T, What a Great Car!!! - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By NeonRacer - June 29 - 2:00 am

  The Dodge Neon R/T is one great car. Since the first time I got in the car till the present I have enjoyed this car. As long as you do proper maintainance on time, this car will last you for a long time and fill your life with excitment.

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  A decent car - 1997 Dodge Intrepid
  By vandentp - June 29 - 2:00 am

  I put over 65000 miles on my Intrepid, it currently has 114k. I have been very pleased with it. It has had minor repairs but nothing that made it undrivable. I kept up the scheduled maintenance and the car has been reliable. It still has lots of power, gets good gas mileage, and doesnt use oil. The AC went out at about 80k, but I recharge it myself every two weeks (cost $10) to keep it cold. No big deal.

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  Awesome car! - 2003 Dodge Stratus
  By slickchros - June 29 - 2:00 am

  I just bought this car and absolutely love it!! It has tons of power and handles like a dream! I almost bought a 2002 r/t but am glad I waited. It is SO much fun to drive and very attractive car! I already got a couple of "nice car" compliments. It has everything you could want in a car and more. I got the 5 speed and would recommend it on this car.

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  Love the creature features - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By hamptonvan - June 28 - 1:10 pm

  Only driven about 1000 miles so far I love the my gig, though I am just getting used to the operation. The drive is solid, with solid steering and decent brakes. I did get the 4.0 engine, and compared to the 3.8, it was well worth it. very easy to pass on the highway, and sporty in town, more than any minivan has the right to. Some of the electronic automation (tri zone temp) is not yet intuitive, but is becoming less obtrusive, (who reads the manual anyway?) Only problem we had so far was the my gig would cut out over every bump in the road. Easy fix-loose fuse. A lot of storage space, loads of floor space. So far, I am glad I purchased this over the competition.

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  Buyer Beware - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By NeonPOOR - June 28 - 2:00 am

  This car is a money pit. I used to love it...before two head gaskets, The latest todat to the tune of 1,000 dollars. Two weeks ago I put in $400. As I bought this as a year old rental...I have to wonder what they di to it. AC has been repaired. New brake system (FYI the breaks squeal on all models for this year) Cant get the dome light to turn off. Just found out that the uneven tire wear is a problem many others have had. A new set of tires every year because of inside wear. Ticking sound in dash. Stopping in intersections (Had to put in a new cable from the battery to alternator to solve that problem.)

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  Dont buy this dodge - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By ken ohio - June 28 - 2:00 am

  Bought car for $19000 had no problem for 6000 miles then recall twice.. at 15000 left rear window motor stopped working, at 21000 trunk lock wont open. 30500 car overheated and wont start. at 37000 just after the warranty was over speed sensor went bad $300.00 to fix. at 42000 the instrument panel light works sometimes. auto lock on left front door makes noise and get stuck 250.00 to fix. Ac stopped working at 45000 500.00 to fix. now at 52000 the oil light comes on after at idle. dealer wants 1000.00 to fix problems. Selling this car. First American car in the last 25 years I bought. But never again I sold my domestic cars stock also. stay with Honda, Toyota, Mazda.

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  Durango =Good - 2001 Dodge Durango
  By Bike Shop - June 28 - 2:00 am

  Great looks, lost a performance point for not quite up to par brakes. Fuel consumption, as expected, is poor. Fuel capacity good though. Comfortable seats,especially for passengers,including kids in back seats. 32k miles with no problems--not even a broken plastic piece! Will definitly strongly consider another Durango when replacing this one.