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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  :-) - 2001 Dodge Stratus
  By expert - April 3 - 2:00 am

  This car is absolutely made for a 21 year old going to college and a job. It is stylish, well-performing, great safety, excellent mileage, and overall a great deal as far as price. The v6 engine roars like a bird! I bird that just crapped on some loser w/ a monte carlo!

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  First and LAST Dodge - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By sweat - April 3 - 2:00 am

  Bought extended warranty to 50k miles. At 70k miles, check engine light came on and was told by Palmer Dodge needed $700 to repair transmission. Ind. shop said nothing was wrong, changed fuild and never had another problem. At 72k miles, engine blew up. Dealer said too bad..no one at Chrysler would talk with me..Spent $3000 to replace engine. At 82k miles, was told valve was bad in 1 cylinder. Traded car today for new Volvo. Got $7K trade in and still owed $13K. Still happiest day of my life. DODGE, CHRYSLER AND PALMER DODGE IN ALPHARETTA, GA ARE THE WORST IN THE WORLD. I feel sorry for anyone I see in a Durango.

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  My 97 Base SOHC - 1997 Dodge Neon
  By 1hotjava - April 2 - 2:00 am

  This car has performed flawlessly since new. It consistently gets 38-42 mpg on the highway, with 26-32 in the city. No mechanical problems since new (now 65,000 miles). Only problem was paint flaking off, but Chrysler re-painted the car. My next daily driver will probably also be a Neon...

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  sharp smooth sweet~! - 2003 Dodge Intrepid
  By BABYGIRL - April 2 - 2:00 am

  It is one of the sweetest cars I have ever driven. I totally recommend you test drive one. that is if you are looking for speed and comforable smooth riding.

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  sharp smooth sweet~! - 2003 Dodge Intrepid
  By babygirl - April 2 - 2:00 am

  It is one of the sweetest cars I have ever driven. I totally recommend you test drive one. that is if you are looking for speed and comforable smooth riding.

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  Bad Car! - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By Stef4551 - April 1 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle is a piece of garbage! Ever since I have Had mine it has been nothing but problems. It has been in the shop 5 times. The car shakes everytime you come to a stop, it has had to have 2 batteries replaced in it, it has completly shut-off after it is started, ( Happened twice), and the a/c constantly runs, even when in the off position. I would not suggest any one to by this car.

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  Solid used vehicle... - 1997 Dodge Stratus
  By billwfriend - April 1 - 2:00 am

  Picked up used in 8/01 w/ 42K miles. Now at 67K and running good. Did recently have to replace power brake booster $230 and repaced factory warped rotors with new aftermarket $100. Had car in for 60K service $150. Only other issue is with sub-zero cold starts in Wisconsin winters. Car needs a little gas and a couple of minutes to get the shivers worked out. But thats to be expected with a 6 yr. old vehicle.

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  Dodge Viper Review - 2003 Dodge Viper
  By reaperangel31 - April 1 - 2:00 am

  Great Fast car Fun to Drive

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  my child hood dream - 2017 Dodge Challenger
  By Troupie - March 31 - 4:11 pm

  WOW!!!! just push that button to start, you hear the growl. goose bumps start up your arm, then stick it in gear and hit that 392 hemi and poof you are gone, this thing is a beast, sport mode is unreal and fun to drive , I had a 5.7 Challenger was a sissy to this beast.

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  Reliable ES - 1998 Dodge Stratus
  By Alagamon - March 30 - 2:00 am

  This car has been extremely reliable for me. This car only needed oil, brakes and air filters until I hit 95K and then it was time for tires. At 105K I had all the maintenance items done new battery, plus,wires, coolant, etc. I ad tie rods and wheel bearings done as well. I am now at 175K and it is still going strong. It has been so reliable that when we needed a second car in 2000, we bought the exact smae car two years newer dofferent color.