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:

• 

  Not Satisfied - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By hoody19 - January 22 - 2:00 am

  This is my first new car, and it will be my last new car from Dodge. I bought this brand new, and have had troubles from the begining. My car rattles from all corners of the car, and all 4 doors. Not a big deal you might say. But when u can hear the rattling over the stereo, it can drive u insane.

• 

  Great Vehicle - 1998 Dodge Dakota
  By Taz - January 22 - 2:00 am

  This is one excellent truck. My wife and I both own one and they are the best trucks i have had so far. After a total of 100k between 2 trucks in less than 4 years. all trouble free.

• 

  Happy Stratus Cp. Owner - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By Stratus Owner - January 22 - 2:00 am

  I am totally satisfied with my Stratus Coupe which is very tight and well made. One little known fact to most consumers is that the Status Coupe (2 dr.) and Status Sedan (4 dr.) are two completely different vehicles the Coupe is Mitsubishi built (an Eclipse/Galant chassis). Even the seats and dashboard are totally different.It bothers me to see this vehicle reviewed and they only test the American 4 dr. which is very average, in my opinion, as compared to the Coupe. This car is Chryslers best kept secret. The SE can be had for $20K.

• 

  Very disappointed! - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By soccermom - January 21 - 2:33 am

  Has had steering problems a couple times already with a terrible grinding noise. Cheaply made interior, covers break easily. Was told that middle and back seats were interchangeable when buying van, but they arent. Found this out only after lugging out heavy the back seat. No stow-n-go with this van makes it even more of a hassle. Terrible pick up, feels like a truck, cant afford to put gas in it. This van burns gas horribly. I went 30 city miles and it burned a half tank of gas! If I didnt owe so much in this piece of junk Id be trading it in. Im actively still trying to trade it in somewhere. Buyer beware! Dont buy a Grand Caravan!

• 

  nice car - 2003 Dodge Viper
  By jons doe - January 21 - 2:00 am

  its the best car ever

• 

  Dodge Inrepid nice car.!!!!! - 2003 Dodge Intrepid
  By vadya - January 21 - 2:00 am

  nice car but I dont have any body kits for This Dodge Intrepid .

• 

  Dont buy one of these(Unless its mine) - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By GasHog - January 21 - 2:00 am

  The best fuel economy I ever saw was 11mpg on the highway on a several state road trip. The EPA claims 17mpg on the highway and a few less for the city. I could expect 7 to _maybe_ 8mpg on an average tank of mixed city/highway driving. This truck is supposed to be performance oriented. It is not very quick considering it has a 360cid engine and gets such lousy fuel economy. If you are in the market for a high performance truck, spend the extra money and buy a Ford Lightning (I dont even like Ford and am suggesting it over my Dodge).

• 

  The new Dodge - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By MDJ - January 20 - 10:00 am

  I wanted the RT but decided that the fuel economy would be better with the 3.5 V6, and probably fewer speeding tickets too. The SXT has plenty of power, gets decent mpg, great handling, and interior comfort. Definately the nicest car Ive ever owned.

• 

  Love it - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By dlscott - January 20 - 10:00 am

  Best car I ever owned. By far the most fun to drive, especially when blowing off young kids. Their mouths drop open at he sight of my tail lights. Nice smooth, quiet ride.

• 

  best ever - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By moochie - January 20 - 10:00 am

  This is the best car we ever had and our past 5 cars have been Chrysler products but the magnum R/T is by far the best fun to drive gas mileage for a hemi isnt bad great ride roomy cant say that there is anything thats i dont like about it . Great job on building this car .