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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  I love it!!! - 2002 Dodge Intrepid
  By Smitty - April 16 - 2:00 am

  I relly enjoyed my Intrepid. It handled well and had a lot of interior space. Had lots of problems with the windows not working. I had to get the motors changed on all 4 doors and a couple of them twice. Other than that really no problems. It rides smooth and handles well. My Intrepid was totaled in a wreck (by a Camry). My wife was well protected when this car ran the light and hit her just in front of the drivers side front tire. It passed a great crash test.

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  Not a bad van - 2003 Dodge Caravan
  By William Hendricks - April 16 - 2:00 am

  Ive had the van 3 weeks now and it is certainly the quietest engine ive had in some time. The comfort inside is great and the view of the road is perfect. Car drives great. Not the best car at taking turns and can be slightly shaky in poor weather conditions. Not good on gas. Other then that its slightly above average.

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  Fun Car - 1995 Dodge Viper
  By maui viper - April 15 - 2:00 am

  Own it , love it. drive it a lot. 46,0000 miles. No problems. Stilll gets more looks then anything out there!

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  Sweet Ride - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By Silver RYno - April 15 - 2:00 am

  I bought My Quad Last year based on the Versatility and Awesome looks. I knew, before buying, that I would be getting fair gas mileage (4.7L V8 4X4). Well I was right, due to city driving, I have been getting 13 mpg. When I do get to take it out on the Highways I get around 16-17. 2 Small things that have gone wrong since I bought it: A vacum Hose broke 2 weeks after I bought it (fixed for free), and My hazards come on sometimes when I use my turn signal (not fixed yet). But Those are really is my only complaints. I Love driving it! It looks awesome and it does everything I ask of it from hauling my 5 friends to hauling fire wood. Love My Toy!!

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  Big Mistake - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By luv4tanner - April 14 - 2:16 pm

  My 2007 Dodge SXT Nitro is loud and has no power. It makes a noise. I thought it was only mine but I went and tried out another one out and it made the same noise. I thought the engine was ticking, but i had it checked out and they said it was supposed to sound like that. Its very uncomfortable to ride in. The seats sit up way too high. You dont have much foot room in the floor on the drivers side. Plus it would have been nice if they would have made it where your lights would cut on at night and cut off when the car cut off. The seats in the back needed to be moveable where I could move them back a little because the Dodge company put cupholders in the floor and my son is using them as a foot stool.

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  Canadian Dodge SXT 3.3L - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Paul - April 14 - 10:53 am

  We lease the Canadian Dodge SXT 3.3 liters. I have reached to the moment on the highway is 12.6 liters per 100 km and 15.6 in the city, so poor! My old Mercury Villager had 11.6 in the city and 9 on highway! Dual screens with satellite TV and 4.0 engine are not available in Canada! WHY? It looks like a box from the rear and cheap inside. Rear camera quality is poor. But MYIG is the best idea!

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  A good little car really - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By TexasNeon - April 14 - 2:00 am

  My parents bought me this as my first car. It certainly isnt the most flash car ever...its accelleration is suffering a bit with age...but all in all, as a first car it has served its duty. It is fairly reliable

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  I like it - 2001 Dodge Neon
  By aht - April 14 - 2:00 am

  Ive had zero problems with my Neon. ANd man is it fun to drive. Small engine, but also in a small car with a 5 spd and 0-90 is flat out fun. Handles pretty well for a small car with a decent ride.

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  AWESOME - 2001 Dodge Stratus
  By WIDOWMAKER - April 14 - 2:00 am

  Going from an SUV to the Dodge has been a delight. What an absolutely fun car to drive. Talk about a head turner-- from the wheels, to the sun roof to the stereo system. A value priced car for the options. I have not had to go back to the dealership for any service other than routine oil change and tire rotatation. I may have to keep this car for a while--simply because I enjoy it. I have the five speed and love the sport suspension.

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  DODGE HAS A WINNER - 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By VEPARIC - April 13 - 10:10 pm

  Smooth riding, Excellent performance from 3.8 Litre V-6. Average 19-20 MPG!