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:

• 

  Had so called "better" Sienna and Odyssey... - 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By matt florczyk - February 8 - 4:31 pm

  The most car for your $!!!, I had both Sienna and Odyssey, and the front seats are for very small people, another question: who needs a build in vacuum cleaner when most garages have a shop-vac just in front of the car. If one have to own something else then Chrysler product I still recommend Toyota Sienna without the leather interior. But if looking for fastest (0-60 in 7.2 seconds) and still the best in the minivan class Dodge AVP/SE Plus with option 29Q is the best value for your $ !!! I wonder if the Gentlemen writing bad story about Dodge front seats ever sit in one...???

• 

  Terrible car - 2000 Dodge Caravan
  By memememememememe - February 8 - 2:00 am

  Terrible car. 3 transmissions, 17 serpetine belts, air compressor, water pump, alternator........you name it, it has broke numerous times. Granted this car is a work vehicle and has 116,000 and bought it brand new.

• 

  Great Car/Poor Resale Value - 2002 Dodge Intrepid
  By Mikes_1 - February 8 - 2:00 am

  Great car to drive. Ive had no problems at all, however I was shocked when I checked its retail value one year after purchase. These cars drop in value like a rock. If their insurance policy pays retail value on accidental replacement, a buyer of a new Intrepid would need some type of gap insurance.

• 

  I was shocked - 2000 Dodge Intrepid
  By robbob - February 7 - 2:00 am

  I had sworn of Dodges and was set to buy a Taurus. The car dealer was a friend of mine and said just drive the Intrepid. I bought that day. Seats were very comfortable (I had a Seebring and hated the seats). Great pick up very quite and fun to drive. It is great to have someone else in the front seat and not have your shoulders touching.

• 

  Solid Truck - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By RKMNY - February 7 - 2:00 am

  Solid Truck but needs some minor adjustments. Put on Edlebrock IAS Shocks with Power Slot rotors. Truck drives like a car, now. Add a restriction free exhaust (Gibson) with a AirRaid Air Filter system and the 4.7 liter motor comes alive.

• 

  viper - 2002 Dodge Viper
  By dan harding - February 6 - 2:00 am

  great car, great value, vbest car around could not be better.

• 

  Need more parts - 2000 Dodge Neon
  By Blue2000 - February 6 - 2:00 am

  I cant keep up. This car is starving me and its not paid off yet. - 2 fuel injectors - Computer - Speed Sensor Relay - Axle trouble. (Some bearing) - Brakes - Tire size is so non-standerd they charge extra. - Air Conditioner

• 

  Whats Next ? - 2000 Dodge Intrepid
  By The Hypnotist - February 6 - 2:00 am

  Right rear door actuator went at 39,000 miles Drivers side door actuator went at 42,000 then a week later the check engine light and two weeks later the starter went at 43,000 I am the original owner and the mileage is all highway .What a shame that this car is falling apart on its own. Whats Next?

• 

  Cons? - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Wart Hog - February 5 - 9:46 pm

  In the cons section of the review Edmunds stated lousy fuel economy. Im averaging 17: not lousy. Intrusive stability control? ESP (electronic stability progam)can be partially or totaly deactivated. If the program is not deactivated then it will function the way it should. When totaly deactivated (pushing the ESP OFF button and holding for 5 seconds) the car is a pure, driftable beast. The only negative is the cars weight (almost 4800 lbs)

• 

  Love this car - 2015 Dodge Charger
  By pedram cyrousi - February 5 - 6:18 am

  Make sure they sell you the right trim