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:

• 

  Great Car - No Problems - 1995 Dodge Stratus
  By Joeg - March 30 - 2:00 am

  We have put over 127,000 miles on this dependable car in over 8 years of fun driving. It is the base model so there are not many features on it, but it is still fun to drive. We have not put any money into it except for the usual (brakes, tires). It is been used by our teenagers for the last two years and even with them driving it, it has held up well. Just yesterday someone who was driving a 2002 Stratus asked us if our 1995 Stratus was a 1999 model. It is still lokking good. I just hope it makes it through my teenage kids.

• 

  P.I.G.F.Y.T. - 2003 Dodge Viper
  By Mikalfin - March 30 - 2:00 am

  Awsome Piece of Machinery!

• 

  Starts pretty, ends ugly - 1991 Dodge Caravan
  By markej - March 29 - 2:00 am

  We purchased this van with the hopes of having a good quality vehicle that would last many years. Weve made it last many years, but at the expense of replacing the transmission (twice), the water pump, the alternator, the radiator and other items as well. The interior is falling apart, the paint is peeling off and the electrical has given us fits. After the water pump failed a second time, weve given up and sent it off to retirement. Good riddance to bad rubbish! Never again with a Dodge minvan.

• 

  Almost A Truck! - 1998 Dodge Dakota
  By Mazda Fan - March 29 - 2:00 am

  Bucket seat cushions seem to be too long for my 56" frame and the backs are to flat and non supporting. Visability is horrible with the huge A pillars. Ours also has the fuel pick up problem that has left us stranded twice! It ate left front brakes and rotors untill I upgraded the front pads. Resale value is poor,along with the gas mileage. 13/17, worse than a full size suv! Engine rattles on anything less than premium fuel, sometimes on that too!Rear seats too small, even for children. No locking glove box. Noisy fan motor. No overhead console on this year. Rear bumper design to weak for towing any weight. This COULD be a good truck.

• 

  Love It!! - 2003 Dodge Stratus
  By Kansas - March 29 - 2:00 am

  I just bought my Stratus coupe and I love it! I had a 96 Cavalier before this and what an improvement. This is the most fun car I have ever owned. Its quiet, stylish, and the even with the 4-cyl engine, it still zips around good enough for me. I would recommend this car to anyone interested in one. Since I just bought mine, I cant speak for its reliability.

• 

  Reliable and Versatile - 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Randy - March 28 - 2:03 pm

  My wife still loves this van. The kids are grown but she wants to keep this van as long as we can. She puts all her props for plays and garage sales finds in the van. With the seats down it is amazing what you can transport. We get about 19 miles to the gallon around town. It has comfortable seating even on a long drive. Knock on wood, but no mechanical problems to date.

• 

  Hemi can go - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By specialk19631 - March 28 - 11:00 am

  Great handling car. Smooth comfortable ride. Lots of rear seat room. Hemi has lots of get up and go. Acts like a sports car.

• 

  Good Looking Truck - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By Raimundo - March 28 - 10:42 am

  I have it already for almost 5 years and the only problem I had was replacement of steering links but Im running it with 20" wheels. It is very comfortable, we love it. After that just normal maintenance, oil change etc and a new battery just because of time life. The truck had a couple of recalls and Dodge complied with them with no complains. But I drive it very carefull and dont abuse from it. The best thing is there is not to much technology on it, same as less headechs to deal with.

• 

  Electrical system Issues - 1997 Dodge Intrepid
  By kltaubin - March 28 - 2:00 am

  Hey! I like the car. I, for the most part havent really had any real problems with the car as far as maintenance. But, I did however have some problems with the Electrical system shorting out on me. The car hesitated while driving. Shutting down in the middle of the interstate. where i had no control of the acceleration and power stering went out. Then it would regain power and then in a few seconds shut down again. I tried to get a mechanic to find the problem but the cost was too much. So i left it. Now the only thing that really happens is the wipers will come on speratically. There is still a short. But, it stopped hesitating and shutting down.

• 

  Dodge Shadow - 1994 Dodge Shadow
  By Holly Fries - March 27 - 2:00 am

  Overall, my car has been good, no major problems.