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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  Used Neon Experience - 1997 Dodge Neon
  By KVL - May 16 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car from the original owner at a discount, knowing that the head gasket would eventually need repair. It was in good shape and fun to drive. I drove it over 1000 miles the first month, on a trip to Maine. About 4 months later, my mechanic replaced the gasket and also replaced the timing belt, major head bolts, and other things that needed it. Since then, it uses maybe a quart of oil per 1500 miles (instead of 500 or less miles before).

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  Damn Good - 1992 Dodge Dakota
  By Tom Dodge - May 16 - 2:00 am

  Brought this truck in 2002 with 153000 on it. Reliable, great pickup on the highway and excellent condition, looks and runs new.

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  Good car....watch for quality control - 2002 Dodge Intrepid
  By I like it - May 16 - 2:00 am

  I have been very happy with with the car overall. The handeling is great for a large car. I only wish that dodge would improve the quality control as upon receiving my car 5 repairs had to be made all very minor and related to quality control.

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  Dont Buy this Car - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By greenski - May 16 - 2:00 am

  I have spent more money in repairs on this, then on my 1990 honda with 230,000 miles. and that is with the trans. going out under warenty.

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  Very Happy Customer - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Stephanie - May 15 - 4:23 am

  I feel really safe in this car. There are many safety features. You get the extra room without having a gas guzzler.

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  my fun car - 1998 Dodge Intrepid
  By Rach - May 15 - 2:00 am

  I like the car because it rides nicely and its really fun to drive. The acc. on the car is so fast!!!

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  Financial Disaster - Disposable Car - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By Johann - May 15 - 2:00 am

  Initially very pleased with my new Neon. It was inexpensive, handled well. That didnt last. The car is 3 years old, and feels like it is falling apart. Just before 50K miles, a dealer replaced everything under the hood but the engine. Front brakes have been done twice, and the rear fell apart in the drums. Ride quality is now poor and beats you up on longer drives. Rough and NOISY. Rear visibility and at the window pillars is very poor. The car depreciates in step with your payments. 3 year old, $16K car is now worth $4k and still going down. With depreciation, a Neon costs over $30K!!!

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  Financial Disaster - Disposable Car - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By johann - May 15 - 2:00 am

  Initially very pleased with my new Neon. It was inexpensive, handled well. That didnt last. The car is 3 years old, and feels like it is falling apart. Just before 50K miles, a dealer replaced everything under the hood but the engine. Front brakes have been done twice, and the rear fell apart in the drums. Ride quality is now poor and beats you up on longer drives. Rough and NOISY. Rear visibility and at the window pillars is very poor. The car depreciates in step with your payments. 3 year old, $16K car is now worth $4k and still going down. With depreciation, a Neon costs over $30K!!!

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  MY SUVIE - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By teena - May 15 - 2:00 am

  Rides great, handles great, beautifully kept. A Wonderful Ride...!!!

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  Mistake! - 1996 Dodge Caravan
  By VTmom - May 14 - 2:00 am

  We bought our 96 Caravan new. It was a great van UNTIL it hit 50,000 miles and the warranty expired. Then everything that can go wrong with a vehicle has gone wrong. I am afraid to drive it because it is so unreliable. After having it die on my 3 times (once when I was over 8 months pregnant), I refuse to drive this thing. Daimler chrysler could not care less. The warranty has expired so we are on our own. We have now put so much money into the van we cant afford to get rid of it. We cant stop kicking ourselves for keeping it though. We will NEVER own another Dodge vehicle.