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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  Since 1986 - 2003 Dodge Caravan
  By em3h4 - February 26 - 2:00 am

  This is #4 (86, 90, 93, 02) and this is the best yet. 15,000 miles to date. Excellent mileage (24+mpg for the 15,000), rides and handles great, quite. Minor complaints - lower head room in front seats because of larger windscreen, less room in front because of bulge in control console,f uel gauge which is off 25% from full to empty, windscreen glare in certain lighting conditions.

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  Power Packed - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By Durdago - February 26 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I traded in her gutless Toyota 4-Runner (purchased before we were married) for a 2001 Durango with the 5.9L engine and the R/T package. Shortly after we moved from Maryland to Oregon (3200 miles). We towed my Mustang on a flat bed trailer, with both cars fully loaded. The Durango did it easily and at 85mph most of the way. We averaged 10mpg@85mph and 13mpg@65mph, while towing.

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  Car has been great! - 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By What to Buy next? - February 25 - 8:40 am

  I purchased this van used with about 60K miles. It now has about 119K miles and I have had very few problems. Ive done all the routine fluid changes, etc. but no major problems. Had the water pump replaced a while back. I love the comfortable ride. Now Im in the market for another vehicle because my husbands died and Im getting the new(er) car. Kids are in college now and I cant decide what to get next.

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  Zooooommm! - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By mysilvrescapepod - February 25 - 2:00 am

  My neon has 137k miles on it & its running fine (knock on wood). I live a long distance from anything so its gets me where I want to go. Great factory installed system other car companies should copy. Breaks squeak when its damp outside, its seats are a bit stiff, the motor isnt the strongest but it does the job I bought it for. I change my oil every 4,000 miles without pause which I honestly feel keeps my lil escape pod purring perfectly. Interior is nice & neat & easily able to clean when splattered w/ food or beverages. Exterior is awesome, with tint on the windows you might mistake it for one of the bad boys. Its a great start up car.

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  Nice looking but many little problems. - 2000 Dodge Intrepid
  By redbird - February 25 - 2:00 am

  I love the look of the Intrepid and its a fun car to drive. However, I have had many little problems during the cars first 3 years of life, including replacing the motors to the power windows, replacing parts in the steering column (apparently a BIG problem with dodge/chrysler cars), and now my battery died, I replaced it, and the new one died. They cant figure it out. I love the look but it wasnt worth the money. Its only 3 years old and is already becoming a hassle.

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  Questionable - 2003 Dodge Dakota
  By Dogman - February 25 - 2:00 am

  I recently purchased a 2003 Sport plus 4.7 litre 5speed automatic. I only get 12 miles per gallon. And if this holds up wonder if I should have spent the extra couple thousand for the 1500. The truck for someone who wants almost full size capabilities with ease of parking.

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  PLEASE DONT BUY!! Dodge Corp. NO help!! - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By WillieP - February 25 - 2:00 am

  Nothing but problems since the first week!! Stuck with this P.O.S. Several problems with the transmission that supposedly was "matched nicely" to the 4.7L engine. Problems are "deemed normal" by the dealership. Ill drive it till something breaks to recreate the problem for them. Interior fan motor is done. Nothing like the smell of a burning fan motor in the morning. Nice acrid smell of burning plastic/wires. Popping noise at front wheel bearings in turns. Tried to get Dodge Corp. to swap it out and Id pay the difference. NO DEAL! Ill just take the couple thousand loss on a trade soon. Itll be worth it!

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  I Love This Thing!!! - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By LoveThisBaby!!! - February 25 - 2:00 am

  This is my first new vehicle. My Previous was a 92 dakota with the v6, and boy oh boy is the V8 worth every penny. This has to be one of the fastest vehichles in production, (for the price). I wish I got the manual instead of the auto and 4wd instead of 2wd, but you cant be picky when shopping off the lot.

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  95 Neon. Not a bad little car - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By John Smith2 - February 24 - 2:00 am

  We may have been lucky and got a good one, but we have had good luck with our 95 Neon. No mechanical issues other than a voltage regulator going. Good mileage, relatively fun to drive with a stick shift. Brakes have always been a little soft, but overall not a bad little car.

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  NOTHING BUT TROUBLE - 1998 Dodge Intrepid
  By BERNAMANSO - February 24 - 2:00 am

  THE SAME DAY I BOUGHT MY CAR THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON! THROUGH THE NEXT 2MONTHS THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED.THEN A ALTERNATOR/POWER STEARING PULLEY!!. WOULDNT BUY ANOTHER OR TAKE ONE GIVEN TO ME.