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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  99 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN - 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By DLandry - January 6 - 10:00 am

  I used to really like this van until the problems started shortly after the warranty period....A/C repair (1,400),transmission sensor(140), back door latch(150),fan belt tensioner (130). It seems like after the warranty period is up the vehicle starts to fall apart. Poor quality typical of most American products. It will definitely be my last Dodge/Chrysler purchase and probably my last American vehicle purchase...EVER!

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  My Car - 1995 Dodge Stealth
  By Matt T. - January 6 - 2:00 am

  I love this car. the 5 speed manual is awsome with the 3.0...lots of wheel spin even with the front wheel drive

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  Decades Best Sports Car for the Dollar - 1993 Dodge Stealth
  By doskom - January 6 - 2:00 am

  Easily the fastest, coolest car for the dollar in the past decade. AND unbelievably reliable.

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  too many repairs - 1997 Dodge Neon
  By Very displeased - January 6 - 2:00 am

  I do not suggest buying this car unless you are a mechanic, or someone else who gets cheap parts and labour, because otherwise you will probably spend more money repairing it than you did buying it! short list of problems I have had -leaky trunk -framless windows that dont seal and leak into car -faulty head gasket -smelly AC -squeaky brakes that never shut up -radiator fan relay died -steering seizes up when you drive through puddles -bad wiring

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  Great car - 1995 Dodge Avenger
  By Boicourt - January 6 - 2:00 am

  This car is my fav over all the cars that I have had. I feel like Im in a race car every time I get inside. I have had to put a little money into the car, but it has over 130,000 miles on it so it is do for some work, nothing major (rear bearing assembley). I plan on adding more poformance parts and turning her into a concept show-car.

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  Simply Beautiful - 2002 Dodge Intrepid
  By Steve Peters - January 6 - 2:00 am

  I just purchased my 2002 ES Intrepid with 20,000 already on it it was in a rental fleet prior to purchase. I have always wanted one of these cars since the new design came out, and now I own one. Being newly divorced I wanted something sexy and I feel this is the Car for us in our forties "hey any ladies" The car has not given me one problem yet it is very sound and well constructed, no rattles even after being a rental. I believe Chrysler listened to their customers on this one. I am a Quality Engineer in aircraft manufacture for planes that cost millions, and the attention to detail for the cost of this car is right on the mark.

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  A comfy ride - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By am - January 5 - 1:13 pm

  I bought this car for hauling and traveling. It has performed well for both. The only trouble I have had is a frozen wiper fluid line, an automatic side door that is now manual and some trim that hasnt held up to boys. Its not a sexy ride, but it gets me where I want to go safely and reliably.

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  Beware of fuel expences - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By aradensky - January 5 - 10:20 am

  I changed my F150 with V8 with the last model Grand Caravan hoping to make some savings on gas. The advertised fuel efficiency shoud be 8.7 liters per 100km. (I am Canadien) The best I have reached to the moment on the interstate roads is 13.1 liters per 100km/ around 17 miles per gallon/ and it is 50% more than it is advertised. I have had more than 10 different cars, vans and trucks and it wasnt a problem to get close enough to the advertised efficiency.In the dealership they try to tell me that the way the van is built. And if it continues I have to take rid of it

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  I Buy American - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By SKINNI - January 4 - 4:33 am

  This "sport wagon" brings it. I’ve only had it for about a month and love it. Small issue with the air bag that was resolved. There is some vibrating in the panels or exhaust on acceleration but hope to eliminate that. If youre fuel conscious though go for the v- 6. The hemi is a guzzler. When Im driving like a normal guy I still only average about 13 mpg in the city at best. The stock exhaust is rather quiet for such a beast of a car. Could use a little more growl. I’ve found a slew of aftermarket parts so upgrades will be easy and fun. All in all I would recommend this vehicle for anyone interested. If fuel is a factor though u will have to sacrifice the power of the hemi for a v-6 :(

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  A great midsize car choice for most. - 1999 Dodge Stratus
  By paperboy2000 - January 4 - 2:00 am

  Having logged nearly 96,000 miles on my Stratus since buying it new in 8/99, Id have to say its performed admirably and dependably. Im pleased with the handling, acceleration and interior room and comfort. Ive only had three non- routine reasons to take the Stratus in for service (the windshield washer pump, blower motor resistor and EGR valve all needed replacing--total cost $300). My only significant gripe is winter traction that seems marginal for a front-drive car. If I didnt live in an area with such harsh winters (northern Michigan), my next car purchase would probably be another DaimlerChrysler mid- size sedan.