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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  Get an Accord instead, youll be happier - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By Jarnail - January 16 - 2:00 am

  I bought this in June 99, it was their demo, a few minor problems at the beginning then the noises coming from the rear, in the end dealer told me he would sue me if I wouldnt leave them alone. I learnt a very expensive lesson take my advice buy a Accord or Camery for a few thousand more youll be happier in the long run. I will admit that Chrysler makes nice looking cars but they lack the engineering to real make this a quality car. Before this car I always bought domestic because I believed that the domestic cars were just as good as japanese and german cars, I know better know.

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  Luv my truck - 1997 Dodge Dakota
  By giovine - January 16 - 2:00 am

  I bought my truck with 60k mi and it has a 5.2 V8 with 4WD. I now have 105K and it still drives great.I do have a couple of complaints with it. My biggest being the gas milage. I was expecting to see about 18- 20 MPG and dissapointed to get 13-14 MPG. Another dissapointment is the heater, totaly inadiquate!! You can drive hours on a cold day and never have to lower the heat. A/C has been failing since I bought it. still like it !!!!

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  Excellence - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By Duf - January 16 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is an outstanding car. Lots of looks from other drivers. Picks up women well!

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  Best Car Ever Owned - 1992 Dodge Dynasty
  By Ken S - January 15 - 2:00 am

  I can honstly say my 92 has been the best car I have owned, and I have owned many vehicles of different makes. It now has 193,000 miles on it with no major problems. The 3.3L engine delivers excellent performance and mileage for my daily commute. Other than tires, brakes, filters and tuneups the engine or transmission has never been tuched except for service. I have always changed oil every 3,000 miles and trans service every 30,000 miles. Most of the transmission problems associated with this particular vehicle appear to be from improper fluids, owner neglect, or a small problem ignored until it is disastorous. Cars need service no matter what it is.

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  SRT 10/ /Review - 2003 Dodge Viper
  By rtv10 - January 15 - 2:00 am

  With all the 2003 cars sold, and 1/2 of the 2004 cars also I would say this is one car the planet is waiting for.

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  Eats Belts and Brakes! - 2000 Dodge Caravan
  By lawman834 - January 15 - 2:00 am

  This van is a company vehicle for me. I have had it for about 9 mos and have taken it from 55000 to 72000. In that time I have had a freon leak, lost two AC belts, and lost a serpentine belt. I had the brakes redone about 10000 miles ago, and they started sqeeking already. The driverside window frame came loose inside of the door causing it to get stuck. A power window switch burned out. On of the rear seats squeek at about 110 decibels at highway speeds. The tires are wearing out too quickly in my opinion, and the van has a convulsing shimmy at highway speeds. The Gas mileage has gone from bad to worse.

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  Good car - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By boodog - January 14 - 2:00 am

  All in all a good little car. Fun to drive and king in corners.

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  This Car is overpriced........ - 2000 Dodge Avenger
  By ihatedodges - January 14 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Avenger in the year 2000 brand new, it was sticker priced at $22,740. what a ripoff....to find out its worth $8,500 now.....talk about a let down...This car only looks nice,it rides rough, is slow as hell, it is too small, uncomfortable, every single item on this car is pricy, special, or hard to find....I most likely will not buy a Dodge product in the future,,,,service and parts absolutely stink.............

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  Overall, pretty well done... - 1999 Dodge Stratus
  By Fred George - January 14 - 2:00 am

  I have been pretty satisfied with my Stratus thus far. The only major pitfall-I had to replace the head gasket 18 months into ownership ($900). However, the dealership I bought it from helped pay for labor, since the vehicle was much too young for this major of a problem. I like the power I get when I take off, a real neck-snapper!

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  Very reliable to me. 4 Cyl Van. - 1999 Dodge Caravan
  By Caravan John - January 14 - 2:00 am

  4 Years and 57000 miles and not one problem.