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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  Terrific Ride - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By Indigo - September 15 - 2:00 am

  I absolutely love my Neon! I bought the car because I needed a point A to point B kind of car originally, but now I cant think of any other car I would want. Ive been to San Diego to Las Vegas and everywhere in between and it hasnt failed me once yet. It handles nicely and it saves me a bundle on gas... (if I dont lead foot it everywhere). The Neon is a terrific first car for anyone who likes a neat looking ride and likes to travel.

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  Buying New Vs. Buying Used - 2002 Dodge Caravan
  By carwoman - September 15 - 2:00 am

  My husband and I went looking at used vans.A Chevy Ven 99, Olds Silo 02 but with 30k and a Nissan Quest 01 with 24k.Prices were 12k,17k,18k We went to a Dodge dealership and found the ec (extra cheap) marker 18k ad for 16k and bought for 15.5k. We were worried about the engine but with a 4cyl 4 it should be fine. We had a dodge before the only problem was the trans went at 96k but with the warranty we are safe at least to 70k and it was a sensible choice. I had read they are discontinuing this model so it might be a good bet if you can catch one a dealership that they need to move. Call around and

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  Snow! - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Chris - September 14 - 9:20 pm

  It was time to pick a new company vehicle and the Charger was on the list for the first time (other choices ford 500, Pontiac Grand Prix (previous car was Grand Prix)). I live in Buffalo, NY and drive in the snow a lot so I was hesitant about the rear wheel drive. Despite my hesitation I picked the Charger because it was so awesome looking. Thought I had bought form over function until I drove in our first snow fall, this car handles better than any front-wheel drive vehicle I have ever owned.

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  Stratus Coupe RT - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By Mike S - September 14 - 2:00 am

  The Stratus Coupe is a fun car to drive. Power, style and comfort are all a plus. The sleak, low to the ground design helps it performance at high speeds. I would recomend this car.

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  Dream Car - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By D. A. Anderson - September 13 - 10:00 am

  Prior to this vehicle I had a 2001 Lincoln, Touring Sedan, Town Car. The Dodge Grand Carvan is far superior in all categories, leg room, passenger comfort, ride and driving. I now have two of these vehicles and love them. Over the years I have had numerous Lincolns and Cadillacs and with their downsizing since 1998 have made them unacceptable for my use. This Dodge fills the desires of a good size, comfortable, safe, fun to drive vehicle for me and my family.

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  Excellent Vehicle for commuting - 1996 Dodge Stratus
  By ltpwf - September 13 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle has over 136000 original miles on it and it is still going strong. I have made sure proper preventitive maintenance has been performed and other than replacing the rear brakes this year I have had no problems with the car. I would definently by another one when the time comes.

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  Shockingly good car - 1991 Dodge Daytona
  By Saildude - September 13 - 2:00 am

  Bought as a cheap backup car, but it shocks me. 200,000 hard miles and still drives like new. All options still work perfectly, ice cold air, solid criuse-control, very comfortable interior, not a single rattle in the body! simple 2.5L, 5-speed surprisingly quick, handles great. Had to replace radiator and o2 sensor but thats it! Very reliable! Id drive it anywhere. Was a temporary backup, but now I drive it all the time!

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  Trans is garbage - 1995 Dodge Avenger
  By dispickle - September 13 - 2:00 am

  Trans problems - wheel bearings - tie rods - sway bar - radiator probs - fuel pump probs - total mess, dont waste your money

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  My New truck - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By francyfree2 - September 13 - 2:00 am

  This is a very good looking truck and feels good to drive. It also is very comfortable. But so far there are two drawbacks. Highway gas milage is averaging out to at the most 16 mpg. We were told by the salesman that it had a towing package and could pull our lightweight 22ft. prowler travel trailer. But when we come back from the oregon coast which are small hills it over heats on us. Now we are afraid to take a trip where there are real mountains. So that is our delima.

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  Dodge always bad - 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By john - September 12 - 1:03 pm

  Bought 2003 new grand caravan sport had to replace transmission at 60,100 miles dealership did not make it easy to honor warranty at 100 miles over warranty had to install trans outside dealership was 100% cheaper, also computer had to be replaced, brake drums replaced twice, as you can see problems keep increasing, I do not recommend Dodge at all, right now as I write the starter needs to be replaced. Will never buy us make autos ever again. Previous to this I had a used 98 Plymouth Voyager and also had to replace transmission, I thought my buying new it would be better but totally disappointing.