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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  pos - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By john g - February 14 - 2:00 am

  anything with 4-wheel drive is fun to drive in the snow. we have lost our transmition, it took 3 weeks to get back only to have more problems with the obd. its going tomm. a`nd i am getting a nissan maxima

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  So far, so good - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Amy - February 13 - 1:40 pm

  We bought our 05 Grand Caravan used with 45,000 miles, replacing a 95 Voyager. So far very comfy, rides nice, and we LOVE the stow n go. Plenty of room for 3 kids. The back row is not as nice as the first 2, esp. if you have long legs. Minor glitches, inc. loose rear vent window and rear A/C blower cutting off - will be taking the van in for those things soon. My mileage is about 16 mpg in the city - 24-25 highway. Id like it to be better, but it still beats the big SUVs.

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  bad luck with the durango - 1998 Dodge Durango
  By tara mcGahey - February 13 - 2:00 am

  My car has been one big headache. I have pages and pages of repair and repeated repair bills.

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  Great choice - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By dakman - February 13 - 2:00 am

  Getting the V8 in the Dakota really sets the vehicle apart from its competition. The 4.7 V8 is fast, refined, and reliable. The handling and ride of the Dakota are better than most trucks, but the brakes are not very good. The pedal is very mushy and without the 4 wheel ABS, the front wheels lock up frequently. The interior of the truck is very comfortable for 2 adults. 1 normal- size person can fit sideways in the back cab, but its better used for groceries/packages. Reliability has been average in 30,000 miles. No huge problems, and a couple of small ones.

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  I plan to quit this trade name! - 1996 Dodge Caravan
  By King, P - February 12 - 2:00 am

  I have spent too much money on this van, I now need to pay $2400 for a new transmission that I have complained about for a year!

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  My commuter car - 1997 Dodge Neon
  By mswing11 - February 11 - 2:00 am

  Its just plain fun to drive, even to work. For a small car, it fits a tall guy quite well. It has been very dependable. For a used car to need no repairs except a battery and front brake pads is awesome. An easy car to service.

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  another DC lemon - 1993 Dodge Intrepid
  By coralboy - February 11 - 2:00 am

  A/C in these vehicles was an annual repair issue that dealer and manufacturer made you fight about. Overall reliability the worst ever. How about a passenger window that falls off track and breaks in door. Transmission problems galore. Overall assessment - Ill never buy another DC product!!!!!

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  Dodge Daytona - 1991 Dodge Daytona
  By JayM026 - February 11 - 2:00 am

  When i bought the car some sensors were not working and the car was in not so good shape, i spend no more than like i would say $200 on sensors and performance parts, and well the car runs great and is a fast sports care i would recommend this car to anyone it has its quriks like most cars, but i love it its reilable and starts up everyday!

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  Great car so far - 2000 Dodge Stratus
  By Joachim A. - February 11 - 2:00 am

  I have had the 2.4L for a year now and I really like it. It has been pretty reliable. Stylish, good looking sort of roomy. I have put a new audio system in it and I look forward in driving it. I have an warranty up to 75,000 miles, so I feel relaxed on the service. Lack of head room, leg room for driver and cupholders are horrible. The brakes needed wear & tear work.

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  Nice vehicle Poor engine - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By 025433 - February 11 - 2:00 am

  A good vehicle. I have had several engine problems the last 14 months. I will not be able to keep this vehicle after the warrenty runs out. I would go broke fixing it. Very disapointing!!