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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  Durango Rocks - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By gjburkh - November 5 - 2:00 am

  4.7 L V8 has plenty of power! Perhaps should get better mileage. Test drove Hemi...too fast! Sharp turning radius. Smooth ride! Easy access to backseat. -DVD Entertainment Package -$350 -Kids Favorite DVD -$16 -Individual Wireless Headphones -$40 -The silence from 3 backseat passengers under 12 ==========> PRICELESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  1999 Durango - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By rvhjr - November 4 - 10:00 am

  Bought in order to haul increasing number of grandkids- only one (that I could afford) with 3 seats. Used mostly on fairly extended trips but sometimes around town especially in the winter. Only problem was a blown head gasket covered under warranty. Still have original tires, shocks, and brakes. Everything works with no problems. Mileage is decent at 55 but not at 70.

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  What a lemon! - 1995 Dodge Caravan
  By AlohaDave - November 4 - 2:00 am

  Before I bought the 95 Caravan, I researched it via Consumer Reports and found that the Caravans were improving into the mid-90s. That being the case and the Caravans being significantly cheaper than comperable Japanese vans, I bought it. This was the first American-built vehicle I had purchased in many years. From the moment I took it home, it began to rattle, tho mechanically, it worked pretty good for about 4 years. Then I had problems with the breaks, the AC, and the transmission went out at 45K miles. Based on this experience, I wont buy another Chrysler vehicle (nor an American one) for a long time, maybe never.

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  The Original Minivan - 1995 Dodge Caravan
  By dthomas - November 4 - 2:00 am

  Used this C/V as work vehicle, drove hard in northern winters. Unit held up impressively well considering I was hauling maximum gross weight and pushed it to the service limits. Yes, the transmission failed at 98,000 but after o-haul no other significant problems aside from the routine maintenance of tires, brakes, shocks, sensors. V6 is an excellent engine. Had more problems with my 2000 than with this unit. Wouls consider another used van for winter and hard driving conditions.

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  98 Dodge Durango - 1998 Dodge Durango
  By Bob Troncale - November 4 - 2:00 am

  This has been a very reliable car that my son drove. Never wrecked or off road.

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  Love it ......... - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By mtn_jake - November 4 - 2:00 am

  Bought with 34K miles June 02. Im the 2nd owner of this Durango. With 40K miles, still love it. Lots of room & comfort. Power to spare pulling a trailer. [2nd Dodge Ive owned, 1st was an 84 W150 4X4 trk, now with 295K miles!] No problems to speak of with my Durango..yet..hope none to happen. Except for the usual items expected to be replaced from normal use. The gas mileage doesnt bother me, you have to expect to get low MPG with the vehicle weight & engine size (5.9L). There has to be some compromise. Ive had some noises in the front end & checked them out, nothing found. Ive just accepted them for now. Hopefully, nothing will come of them.

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  Love hate - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Stiffy - November 3 - 7:50 pm

  18 hours after I bought it it was in the shop with a defective oil pump. If it werent for the immediate response of the dealership Id have been really pissed. Now, I have electrical problems and different warning lights keep coming on and off. If it werent for that Id absolutely love the car. It has a great ride, decent handling for a big car and surprisingly tight fit and finish. The sheetmetal is particularly flawless.

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  Some Design Problems - 1997 Dodge Caravan
  By Dan O. - November 3 - 2:00 am

  The front strut bearings went at 95 000 miles to the tune of $1000. Now the spare tire assembly has corroded so badly it needs replacing at $300. I can smell oil in the heating air and yes the wipes do come on without requesting. Chrysler is not a fun company do deal with, good thing the product is so affordable.

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  Beware - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Denise - November 2 - 2:26 pm

  This car has been nothing but headaches and stress. A ticking noise coming from the engine, per dealer rocker arms replace. Making same noise toke it back said Chrystal redesigned the rocker arms and replaced them again. Still making noise, per Chrystal this is the characteristic of the rocker arms and I have a life time powertain warranty. Thats crazy. Why would they redesign something to make the some noise?? I pursing the lemon law. FIX THE PROBLEM!!!

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  Fun, but costly - 1992 Dodge Stealth
  By Dan Da Man - November 2 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Stealth in Sept. and unfortunately my ECU went out immediately. I spent over $2000 trying to find out what was wrong with my car, and when it was finally fixed, the car came alive! I havent had a car that was so fun, and still gets fair gas mileage. I did put a racing exhaust and some trick parts on the car, but it was definately worth it!