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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  This car is HOT!! - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By Mariangela - October 2 - 2:00 am

  I just bought this car in July. It was first pick car and let me tell you, I love it. Its silver w/ leather, sunroof, cd/cassette/equalizer, 7 infinity speakers, chrome 17 inch wheels. Its a good value. I love the exhaust sound and its quick.

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  Excellent all-around vehicle - 1996 Dodge Intrepid
  By jbrooks - October 1 - 2:00 am

  This car was fun to drive, looked sharp, was very dependable, and had most of the creature comforts and extras. It was roomy and could haul my entire drum set, and it could provide ample leg room and comfort for passengers in both front and back. It was also a good value as used car - you get a lot of bang for your buck when buying one of these. I got the car with just under 70,000 miles on it. Repairs were minimal up until the car started getting over 100,000 miles on it. When I sold it, it had 120,000 miles on it and was still running like the day when I bought it.

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  Dont Do It!! - 1995 Dodge Avenger
  By treeeat - October 1 - 2:00 am

  I loved this car...at first. Within 2 months of purchase there were probs. I had 2 replace the battery and get it realigned repeatedly, driver door handle snapped, tranny cracked, $1200 computer sensor repair, passenger seatbelt locked up while the seat unlock practically strangling friends, always dying & towing, computer repair again, replaced the distributor-$800, theft deterent system locked and unlock the car whenever where ever, passngr door handle snapped, and FINALLY August 1, 2002 the engine caught fire while sitting in my driveway! Even worse, halfway through putting out the fire the car started! THIS IS NO JOKE. I took good care of this car.

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  over th log haul - 1995 Dodge Dakota
  By steve999 - October 1 - 2:00 am

  This truck was very reliable and the torque in the motor made it fun to drive. Currently have 238000 miles. Just purchased a 2003 quad cab. The 3.9 liter is not as torquey do to the added weight and larger tires. The 16 inch tires cause the motor to 250-350 less rpm and the sweet spot in 4th gear is around 75 mph.

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  Fun to Drive, A Joy to Own - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By koneal - October 1 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned my 02 Dakota 4.7L V8 SLT 2WD Ext Cab for 8 months now. The ride quality is excellent, performance is responsive with the 5-speed manual transmission. Ive used it to not only haul a few people around but to haul many heavy loads. Its performed to spec and more every time.

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  No problems at 150000 - 1995 Dodge Intrepid
  By d_rives - September 30 - 2:00 am

  good buy. I drive this car hard and have but nearly 200 pounds of Nitrous through the engine and it runs great thanks to the low compression ratio of the 3.3 engine.

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  Dodge Caravan 1992 - 1992 Dodge Caravan
  By vanman - September 30 - 2:00 am

  I have owned Toyotas & Hondas & people look at me funny when I tell them that the most reliable car I have ever owned was a Dodge Caravan. This vehicle while not the sexiest or comfortable vehicle has always performed for me & it has been extremely practicle in hauling kids, adults, refrigerators-you name it.I have had alot less repair trouble with this vehicle & the Dodge waranty was so good I had very little expense. Good Car.

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  Mechanical issues - 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By stras - September 30 - 2:00 am

  Overall very sturdy and comfortable, with a smooth ride, but significant mechanical issues: Engine head blew at 34,000 miles. Partial transmission failuire at 47k. Speed sensor failure at 54k. Tensioner pulley locked up, and water pump failed (bearing). High-speed side of radiator fan unit locked-up, resulting in overheat condition, resulting in oil boiling and sludging the engine. Electronic window motor locked-up. Temperature readout of trip computer stopped functioning. All of this and more just four years after buying it off of the showroom floor. Repairs after the limited warranty expired have been costly.

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  I paid how much! - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By abauza - September 30 - 2:00 am

  As a previous owner of an All Wheel Drive I was skeptical that this car could deliver the grin that I got from my previous car. Boy was I wrong! It only took me once to roll onto the throttle and hear the front tires howl did I realize that this was serious. The reports I find are mostly on the 03 SRT-4 and they all say how wonderful the car is. Granted shes no Evo, but its a close second and with the right goodies added from Mopar it may rival cars in a class above. Overall, supercar for little cash. Maybe the American car companies can build with the best the world has to offer.

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  4.7L Automatic 4x4 - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By CAM - September 30 - 2:00 am

  The Dodge Dakota is a fun and functional truck. It has been great for moving friends and making home improvements. The interior is simple and functional. A little more interior design would go along way.