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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  R/T Go - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By lucky - December 7 - 2:00 am

  I have an R/T and love it. It has the old car rumble to it and has the feel of a sport car in a SUV. I traded in a 1999 Durango and this was the first repeat buy for me in 35 years of buying cars. If you are looking for a fun drive this can be it.

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  Great truck - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By fast - December 7 - 2:00 am

  Great truck i love to drive it ,it drives like a car.I was going to buy a SUV, like a Jeep Liberty or explorer,but this is like a SUV but with a bed for stuff!Its been a gas hog so far 2000 miles avg 14mpg with a v6 5speed thats almost all highway!I got to bring it to dealer to see if somthins wrong i suspect a vacume leak ,i hear a whistling at 2000rpm think its somthing small.love everyting else 4x4s great.

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  Mobil1 oil for 2.7 engine is the secret - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By Ros - December 5 - 7:04 pm

  I had this intrepid for 4yrs. Changed brake pads, spark plugs, heater hoses, trans fluid, Mobil1 high mile, new tires, new speakers all around with the 2.7 v-6 engine with 170000 miles 3/5/08. Water pump still has not went

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  Been Very Happy - 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By GH - December 3 - 5:03 am

  Back in 04 I purchased my 01 GC Sport with 81,000 miles on it. After 6 years it has over 200K on the clock and still runs great. No transmission troubles, just regular maintenance changing the oil and getting new tires and brakes. The 3.3 is a reliable motor and it has performed flawlessly. My only complaint with the van is the power door lock switches as they dont always work.

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  Dodge Grand Caravan great transportation - 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By s means - December 3 - 2:36 am

  Graeat for kids and family transportation. I always on the list when someone in the family needs to move. Very flexible vechicle. I liked it so much I purchased another (2007)

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  Leaks and more leaks! - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By apaulson - December 3 - 2:00 am

  At 400 miles, my srt was leaking oil due to a factory problem. At 3000 miles I had to replace the axle seal. Im fearing there may be more problems to come, however despite all of the problems, I am totally satisfied performance wise and for the exterior design! Its a good car with a few leaks.

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  Its been an o.k. van - 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By goose - December 1 - 10:00 am

  We have put almost 98,000 miles. No major problems, transmission makes some noise when shifting. The electronics are unreliable - Dealer had to recalibrate a/c twice when battery was replaced. I am on the 3rd battery. Brakes need replacing every 30k miles. Tires only last 30k and few options when replacing. Engine is very sluggish when ambient tempature is higher than 95F. Doors automatically lock at 15mph, this could be a safety concern if a quick exit is needed in an accident.

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  Transmission and other concerns - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Lori - November 28 - 1:20 am

  I have now owed my Journey for four months and it has been in the shop for about a month of that time. I have had a new transmission installed at 6000 miles. I drove it for 4 days to have a pinion seal leak transmission fluid all over the parking lot. That repaired and now the new transmission is showing the same signs as the prior one. It does not want to shift smooth into second. I keep getting engine lights and they stated that I have an emmisons leak and they are working on finding that. The dealership is great with the repairs and the help with the car but no matter how much I love the car itself but it does not a reliable choice for someone driving as much as I do with the kids..

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  My thoughts about my base model - 1997 Dodge Avenger
  By c - November 26 - 8:41 pm

  I have had my 97 4-banger stick as the original owner with only 17 miles on it when delivered to our dealer. I have gotten 500 miles to a single tank 4 times. Mine is not governed so I have had it up to 131 flat straight away in Germany and 136 downhill there. This car is fun to drive and has a huge trunk. And at 159,634 miles still going strong

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  A Fun Car for 31K - 2008 Dodge Charger
  By Jason - November 25 - 9:38 am

  Im very happy with my new Dodge Charger overall. I was traditionally a Ford guy, but I now have 2 kids and the backseat of the newer Mustangs just didnt cut it. It is a perfect nominal for me. There is plenty of room for the kids and plenty of horsepower for when I dont have the kids.I have taken the car on some far trips and have gotten 24 mpg on the highway. I average 15 in the city, but I have a heavy foot.