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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  SRT-4 Review - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By EIDE - January 11 - 10:00 am

  The SRT-4 is a true American Sports Car. The SRT-4 has extreme amounts of power. When you get on the gas it wants to boogy. The exhausts are totally awsome; they are music to everyones ears. The brakes are very sensitive and never give up at all. It handles very nicely; and has a comfortable ride for a sports car. The Viper seats really hold you in. It has a great sound system that booms. This car is "UNBEATABLE" for the price. It also gets good gas mileage. The boost gauge is sensitve to every movement of your foot. It tells all. The interior is nice with the silver accents. The gauges are great.

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  My Tank - 1994 Dodge Shadow
  By kjane - January 11 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Shadow brand new in 94. It has been through many road trips 300+ miles, a couple of fender benders, harsh winters (-30)and hot summers (110) and all types of road conditions. It takes a licking and keeps ticking!!

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  SOLID 5.9 R/T - 1999 Dodge Dakota
  By roxtro - January 10 - 2:00 am

  Very well built, red standard cab,255/55/17 wheels tires. Handles great, NO PROBLEMS at all, good heat and ac.Whats not to like?

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  So Far So Good - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By Ghostmirage - January 10 - 2:00 am

  I have recently purchased a 1999 Durango with 20000, great so far. I have had nothing but GREAT things to say about it so far but the mileage is low and so far so good. I find the vehicle to be comfortable, and a please to drive in the SNOW. Looking forward to making some improvement to extend gas mileage.

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  R/T = Real Fast - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By kwood69 - January 10 - 2:00 am

  I had been waiting for a peformance trunk to come out for a few years, then when Dodge introduced the Dakota RT and it was featured on MotorTrends TV show I just fell for it. After driving one I finally broke down and bought one in 2000. Since then Ive modified the engine and the interior but this truck has been great since day one. I drag race in it, road race in it, and even place it in auto shows.

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  Dakota a Good Buy - 2001 Dodge Dakota
  By Joachim - January 10 - 2:00 am

  Truck runs great and looks good. Only problem has been a faulty headlight switch.

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  Stratus has been a good car for me - 1997 Dodge Stratus
  By itprof20012002 - January 9 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car new in 1997 (2.4, auto), have 160,000 miles on it right now and still running strong. Had a few repairs along the way but nothing that has ever left me stranded. Had to have head gasket replaced at about 110,000 and front wheel bearings and tie rods at 150,000. My next car purchase will have a better than 90% chance of being another Stratus.

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  i hate my avenger - 1996 Dodge Avenger
  By britt01 - January 9 - 2:00 am

  I have had nothing but major problems with this car. I would not recommend buying it.

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  great overall - 1998 Dodge Dakota
  By nblett - January 9 - 2:00 am

  This is an all around great automobile. I have no complaints and will be diving it untill the doors fall off.

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  Outstanding - 2003 Dodge Stratus
  By AVan - January 9 - 2:00 am

  What a great car - I have never been as happy with a purchase as I am with my Stratus. Its powerful and fun to drive and has more room than most other sedans, esp. in back seat and cargo areas.