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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  not too happy - 1998 Dodge Durango
  By goldman - October 31 - 2:00 am

  My dodge ran fine for 40,000 miles but have had to put a rear end on at 54,000.Cost $2,500. Other problems are tie rods and lower ball joints. Would not buy another one due to problems, poor resale value and poor gas mileage. If your rear pinion bearing acts up make sure your mechanic looks it over pretty closely.

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  Good value for the price - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Mopar - October 29 - 5:43 am

  We traded in a Dodge Durango for this smaller SUV. I did have to take it in for a steering problem two days after I took delivery, they replaced the steering reservor and the streeing is great. No real complants, other than I am disappointed with the in town gas mileage.

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  my NIGHTMARE - 1990 Dodge Daytona
  By Autokill - October 29 - 2:00 am

  mine was an 88 and i bought it for $1000..with 150000miles....and in 8 monthes the engine went, transmition, two clutches (b/c a bolt snaped that held the one on), flywheel, drive axels, my sub fram rotted out, and on the highway the frame broke and the wheel went flying out the side of my car...held on only by the axle, carb was toast, and the heads were gummed up, so i was getting about 4MPG..this car was horrible, and i could never rely on it...it was heavy and clunky, and i will never but a chrysler again.

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  A Great Driver - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By PAL - October 29 - 2:00 am

  Other than the hassles with the initial purchase from a deceatful dealership, the car itself has been truely suprising. Bought as a future long distance daily driver with hopes of economy and good gas mileage....and can you believe it they are all true. The car is exactly as it spells out in the brochure.

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  Unique and Hard To beat - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By BestinNaperville - October 29 - 2:00 am

  Have had for 3 years. Love this vehicle. There isnt anything much faster on the road for both passing and off the line car or truck. A Viper beat me once. Engine is just now breaking in, so it is even smoother after 3 years. Gas mileage could be better, but SUVs are much worse. Intense Blue will make this a collectors vehicle some day. Was hard to find and very few built this way. Quality is better than I expected. Dealer has taken care of any problems, and is very courteous. Could use a better left foot rest for long drives. 4WD is awesome in snow ! And great in rain.

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  some problems - 1996 Dodge Intrepid
  By Dan69St - October 28 - 2:00 am

  well I have put about 13,000 miles on it since April when I bought it and I have been having some problems. I Put in a new wheel bearing, now I have an overheating problem and I am not sure what all it is. I changed the thermostat, the water pump and still no relief of the temp. Flushed the radiator and everything. There is no sign of a blown Head gasket or a cracked block. But besides that the car was running great no other complaints besides.

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  Never a Problem - 1998 Dodge Durango
  By JLM - October 28 - 2:00 am

  There doesnt seem to be much middle ground on the Durango, love it or hate it. I love it, never had one problem and it has been a great family car. Terriffic styling, solid feel, and very versatile with 3 rows but shorter than a minivan. Highly recommend it to anyone.

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  Simply Awesome! Must Buy! - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Ty - October 27 - 9:43 am

  This vehicle both looks smooth and runs smooth! It is an automatic eye catcher and is sharp both inside and out. I have been blown away by the vehicles smooth manual transmission and by the small yet powerful engine!! The commercials are right, "Its anything but cute!!!" The interior is very spacious and very comfortable to ride in. This vehicle is the definition of a smooth ride and I am glad that I chose this particular vehicle! The economy of this vehicle is simply outstanding! Great gas mileage for the size of the Caliber! I had to wait about 3 months to get my Caliber... but trust me, it was defiintly worth the wait!

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  97 plymouth neon - 1997 Dodge Neon
  By neonHappy - October 27 - 1:00 am

  I bought this car as a year old, with 20,000 miles. I never had any problems with reliability - the car always ran great and started without a problem. I drove the car for 4 years until someone hit me and the car was totaled. My only problem was that sometimes the back passenger side door would ajar lose after a bumpy road and the interior light would go on, as well as the "door open" light. On particularly bumpy, dirt roads this would be frustrating!

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  The Beastlyest Beast Around - 1990 Dodge Daytona
  By b0b - October 27 - 1:00 am

  This car is beast. It romps on everyone around. A new intake and throttle body help out the high end. The computer limits the top speed to 130MPH though, but hey 130 is scary enough. Wish i had a 5 speed, but the 3 sp. auto get the job done nicely.