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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  wonderful car - 2002 Dodge Intrepid
  By sterlingo - April 30 - 2:00 am

  I bought the car as an interum verhicle. I really enjoy the car. I have rented them in the past. In fact I rented the car for a coast drive in CA and really enjoyed it. Im 62" and fit in this car perfectly. The ride is great, very nice seats, cold ac and great backseat for traveling. My only concern is the resale value. I think this car declines in value quickly, but is very cheap used to begin with, so as long as you expect this, I think its a great value and car.

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  Great automobile - 1992 Dodge Dynasty
  By Gromit - April 29 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned my Dynasty for two years now, and I am very happy with it. Its got 150k miles on it now, and still running fine. Nice and comfortable, plush and relaxing. I am also fairly tall, so I like the spacious cabin. I need to replace some front end bushings, and one hydrualic valve lifter has become a bit noisy, so its probably due for a replacement. Nothing strange though, when a car has passed 150k miles. I keep up service intervals and oil changes, and I expect to take this car at least over 200k, hopefully more.

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  Big Sports Car - 2000 Dodge Intrepid
  By Popoon - April 29 - 2:00 am

  Best family car on the road. Huge interior and trunk, good pickup, 30 mpg on the highway. Even my kids fight for the opportunity to drive it. After 3 years I have done absolutely nothing but change the oil. Best car I have every owned.

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  7 times in the shop - 2002 Dodge Intrepid
  By bramor - April 29 - 2:00 am

  Id highly recommend looking elsewhere for a vehicle which is more reliable and build well than this Dodge Intrepid. The styling is great but I guess I got what I paid for. Within the first year of ownership this car was back to the dealer for repairs 6 times. 3 oxygen sensors, 1 master cylinder, 1 brake booster, 1 thermostat and a partridge in a pear tree. Just recently I had to replace the rotors and brake pads due to major vibrations in the steering wheel when braking at high speeds. After 28,500 miles(mostly on the highway) I ready to sell this piece.

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  Keeps on Ticking - 1991 Dodge Spirit
  By joburnet - April 28 - 2:00 am

  When I bought this vehicle it had 84k miles on it and now it has almost 170k. It has lasted me through college and is still going and I have never had any major problems. It is starting to show its age, paint is starting to peel in places, but its never let me down and actually handles great in the snow. The 2.5 Liter engine is very good quality but I cant speak for the others.

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  Dakota mid size is perfect fit - 1998 Dodge Dakota
  By Me in Midwest - April 28 - 2:00 am

  Looked at F150, looked at Ranger. Looked over the Ram 1500 (big), but found the Dakota to be the "right size." Comfortable interior, great utility, attractive to look at.

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  The woest purchase ever - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By salyalma - April 27 - 6:20 pm

  Not even 50K Miles on it and already expend $1500 in cooling and heating repairs, first AC pipes blow, then radiator and radiator cap ($400) ,the intake manifols gasket $350 and now the water pum ($350) I wont recommend this vehicle to nobody, the interior plastic panels and seat handles broke, bumper clamps loose this vehiclke really sucks

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  You will NOT be disappointed! - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By MWfromVA - April 27 - 10:00 am

  I just recently purchased my Durango. The ride quality and the build quality of this vehicle are just superb! For as large as this vehicle is, it handles like a small SUV! I chose the 5.7L Hemi and would definitely recommend spending the extra $895 for it, no matter what trim level you choose. Im actually getting better gas mileage in this Durango Hemi than I was with my 4.7L V8 in my old Dodge Dakota Quad Cab.

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  Never Again - 1997 Dodge Dakota
  By Phillie - April 27 - 2:00 am

  Never again will I purchase a Dodge product after this truck. I had the truck in the shop more in the first two years that my other vehicle has been in the ten years I have owned it. Not only does the truck lack quality, but the service at the Raymond Dodge Service Center is horrible. Talk about unfriendly people.

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  Alright - 2002 Dodge Caravan
  By AJFedde - April 27 - 2:00 am

  There is no easy way to lock the back/trunk door. So if you are getting something out of the back, you have to close that door and either pull your keys out to lock it or go to one of the side doors and hit the lock button. My Explorer had a button to use to lock before closing in next to the cargo area.I wished it came standard with remote entry/locking. I looked for one. (I had ordered mine in). The same goes for finding one with a CD player. Drive it is pretty smooth. I have the V6. I wish these vans had tow hitches to at least be able to pull a uhaul or jetski. I would like to see more standard features.