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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  glad to have a car - 2003 Dodge Stratus
  By mguinn - March 6 - 2:00 am

  after having a 93 ranger standard cab i was in awwww driving the 2003 R/T stratus. its a smooth quite ride and it moves. the handling is great and it looks sporty. its also great on gas

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  How many gallons per mile??? - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By Dannys R/T - March 6 - 2:00 am

  It is a head turner. Especially in flame red (fire engine red). I cannot go anywhere without someone saying how cool or hot this R/T is. It sounds like a hot rod truck and drives like a sports car. All while picking up the kids, shopping or going camping with the spacious rear cargo area . It is a ride to be proud of. I am upset to say that I get 10 mpgs while driving it normal city/hwy. If I get on it then its 8 mpgs. Dodge needs to get with the program. At $1.97/gal... Its a monthly investment Id rather get rid of.

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  Dream Machine - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By tinpandan - March 6 - 2:00 am

  The Dakota has the best sound system offered in any stock truck. I promise you will not complain about leg room (I am 6-5" & will vouch for this). The 4.7L engine is the only way to go. Avoid the 5.9L V8. I got 11 mpg average honest. The truck handles like a sports car, you will love to drive this machine. Those needing 4X4, look for models with AWD (there are some out there and they have jeep parts note reg. 4X4 cant be driven on dry pavement). Best truck money can buy!

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  01 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab SLT - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By KCKettridge - March 6 - 2:00 am

  Reliable,fun to drive work horse. The V6 has enough power and the cab is quiet when cruising at highway speeds. The Infinity AM/FM/CD System rocks and the seats are comfortable. The black interior is high maintenance though, as it shows everything from cracker crumbs to dog hair. The instrument panel,heater/ac/fan/wiper/headlight switch(s)/controls are large enough without seeming bulky or awkward. Interior appointments are nice, although the glove box is a little on the small side, the center console is rommy. The standard Goodyear Wrangler ST tires are a little small(215/75/15) but it still handles well and gives a smooth ride.

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  Neons - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By babygurl87 - March 5 - 2:00 am

  I love the dodge neons. They are very comfortable and I enjoying driving it. They are very convenient for somebody who is looking for a new car but want something easy to manage and also on a low budget. I would recommend that neon to anybody.

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  Still Running at 150 K - 1995 Dodge Caravan
  By Johnny DEZ - March 5 - 2:00 am

  My old Mini-van has crisscrossed the country many times. At about 135k miles, the water pump went, I have heard this is puite common for this yr and model, when that happened I lost thehead gasket. I almost retired old Betsie, but I decided not too. And after those repairs she is now running fine again. I have heard that the next thing to go will be the transmission. this usually happens at about 160 k or so former owners have told me. I am gonna ride her til she cant ride no more, then I am gonna look into a SUV. Envoy, Pathfinder, Or Volvo

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  Warranty Scam - 2000 Dodge Stratus
  By wendywoowoo - March 5 - 2:00 am

  We puchased our Stratus with remaining manufacturer warranty and the salesman told us our In service date was 3/30/00 and that the Out service date would be 3/30/03. On 2/24/03 our transmission was doing some weird things(fluid leak). Took vehicle to local Dodge service department on 2/25/03 and they tell me warranty expired on 2/23/03. Called Chrysler and they inform me of the same thing. Make sure when purchasing a Dodge/Chrysler you get written documentation of the In service date and Out service date, because Chrysler corporation will only file a complaint, but wont do anything to help. Also having problems with door locks and power windows.

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  Needs update but still great - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By FLoc - March 5 - 2:00 am

  The Durango is a top SUV even though it needs to do a little catching up with Ford and GM. Redesign on the way should fix that and some. The fact that it still can stack up well shows a lot about how good a job Dodge did.

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  love it - 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By york - March 5 - 2:00 am

  just fun to drive and room for everyone and everything.

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  Comfort and safety at an affordable price - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Chuck - March 4 - 7:06 pm

  Present mileage just shy of 4000. Gas mileage city 15 and 24 highway. Best ride of any mini-van I have driven. Wish I had paid a few dollars more and got the SXT. Traded in a 2007 Mercury Milan that I really liked, but this mini is a whole lot more vehicle and gets almost the same gas mileage