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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  I love My Intrepid - 2002 Dodge Intrepid
  By Dodge Fan - September 26 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Intrepid a couple of weeks ago and I just love it. It is fun to drive. It is very big and roomy. Very comfortable too.

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  cant complain - 1997 Dodge Caravan
  By whitewiz - September 25 - 2:00 am

  i bought this van about 160kkms and it is now 230kkms. Things broken transmission, rad, a/c, computer. Really the transmission went because the tranny cooler in the rad got a pinhole and sent prestone into the transmission. Not a good design on Chryslers part. I would recomend an external cooler and bypass the rad cooler to anyone who owns one of these. i got my cooler off a junked ford tempo, $10. There is a known problem in the computer on this year it makes the check engine light come on and an the van idles rough. The windshield wipers come on by themselves once in a while, this is a known problem with the wiper switch.

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  Great Vehicle - 1994 Dodge Caravan
  By FMTracker - September 25 - 2:00 am

  Purchased used from neglectful owners with 60k miles. Replaced oil in engine and tranny and since have added another 131k miles without a problem. Always a good habit to replace fluids at recommended intervals. Fun to drive, comfortable and cruises like a dream. Large cargo space and plenty of power. No engine or tranny problems in spite of abuse by original owner. A

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  Best PICK UP around! - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By Bobby Mac - September 25 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is the absolute most funnest vehicle to drive. It is fast, looks great and performs well in any situation. The insurance is relatively cheap and I dont even mind paying $45- $50 for a tank of gas (Canadian Dollars).

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  Wheres the head Room - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By urban cowboy - September 25 - 2:00 am

  25 yrs.former F150 and Ranger-fan. Dakota sport reg cab drives like a car, only on smooth pavement. I like the stiffness in the stiring, but veh. bouncing on rough roads. Some weird noises at times very unusual. Dodge engine sounds like diesel when cold. But quiets dwn when warmed up. Unlike ranger this truck has no room in cab. to wear a cap or hat. What no cosmetic add ons???

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  Love this ride. - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Thin Blue Line - September 24 - 10:50 am

  I have not owned this vehicle long but I love it. My wife and I have already had to come to an agreement about who gets to drive it when. I am 64" tall and weigh over 280 lbs. I love the room in my Magnum. I have no trouble sitting in the drivers seat or the passengers seat. I have been searching for a vehicle that gives me room with style and performance. And performance, whoa! It does not seem to matter whether you are starting from 0 or traveling at 60 mph. If you apply the gas, you are burning the road. And the best part is that it is so smooth when you call on your HEMI. I think this RT Magnum out performs my Police cruiser! Love it, Loveit, Love it!

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  2001 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Bethanne - September 24 - 2:00 am

  The first Dodge Caravan I owned was a 1985. I loved the versatility of the van. Then my best friend bought a 1993 Caravan and I fell in love with the extras it offered. The style had completely changed. It no longer looked like a box car but a sleek machine and I wanted one for myself. And to my suprise I just purchased a 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport on March 1, 2004 it might not be knew but I wouldnt buy any other style.

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  My experience with my R/T - 2001 Dodge Neon
  By Chesta - September 24 - 2:00 am

  A good car despite some negative reviews Ive seen from some car mags. (Car and Driver who I can only assume has some axe to grind with DC) This car is fun to drive, has more power and outhandles all others in its price range. I can run circles around Cavaliers, Focus Zx3s, and Civics all day long. By far the most bang youll get for your buck if youre looking for performance.

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  Poor Rookies. - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By Norman Holmes Jr. - September 24 - 2:00 am

  Weve owned a 2000, & 2002. We have a 2003 & 2004. The difference between the 2003 & 2004 is night & day. The 2004 not only is beautifully designed, it rides great. We take my softball to indoor off season practice every Saturday. The experienced players ride in the 2004 and someone always has a DVD to watch. Poor rookies, they have to ride in the 2003.

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  none - 1991 Dodge Shadow
  By franky - September 23 - 2:00 am

  I love this little car. Its roomy enough for me, great car!