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 pleased - 1997 Dodge Neon
  By not pleased - September 3 - 2:00 am

  Got it at 42k. I have put another 45k on it, but have also put tons of repair money too. This year alone I have put a new headgasket, brakes(again), suspension, ignition wires, battery (again), and it still needs work on the AC. The sticker price might not me too high, but youll make it up in repairs. Although I hear later models have improved.

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  Good vehicle so far... - 2002 Dodge Caravan
  By Mitchell lee - September 3 - 2:00 am

  Rides real nice and smooth and very quiet. Plenty of models and colors to choose from and many price catagories for every budget. Our caravan sport has all the basic features(power doors,windows,cd player etc., and removable 2nd and 3rd level seats. Nice interior size with very comfortable cloth seats. Front bucket seats are very well contured. Somewhat cheap plastic interior with no console between front seats(cargo net provided). You do get adjustable cup holders and the back seat has hooks for groceries. Very practical! Rear climate control apparently only available in grand caravan and T&C models. A major disappointment!

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  Pretty reliable! - 1995 Dodge Stratus
  By Kevin S - September 2 - 2:00 am

  I love this car, Ive had no proplems except for the Catalytic convertor. Im at almost 200k kms and it runs beautifully. The only bad thing I have to say would be the front brakes, this car loves to eat brakes every 3-5 months so go to Midas and get the lifetime warrenty.

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  Dependable Car - 1993 Dodge Spirit
  By robert1967 - September 2 - 2:00 am

  This car has been mechanically sound. I gave my son this car 2 years ago with 75,000 miles on it with just a couple of minor problems. He has driven it another 50,000 miles or so without any major problems but the engine has seen better days. I am told the timing belt should have been replaced but so far it has been ok. 2 cylinders are not working properly ,but until now few major problems.

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  Avengers Got it! - 1997 Dodge Avenger
  By marrcoooo - September 2 - 2:00 am

  Bought my sleek bright cherry Red Avenger last year. Great car. 2.0 litre doesnt give much power but I save in gas bg time. 6 speaker Stereo is great. Turning radias is not that good at all but so what. Ill just have to back up instead of making that 1 point turn. Always gets the looks and have had no problems with it so far.

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  Dans black intrepid - 1997 Dodge Intrepid
  By daniel j oehl - September 2 - 2:00 am

  excellent car, handles the road beautifully.. almost all miles are long distance....i.e. Pennsylvania to Florida, across the srate of Florida...Pittsburgh to NYC and back many times. only problem is the AC doesnt work.

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  WOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOO - 1993 Dodge Stealth
  By S3DELTA - September 1 - 2:00 am

  What a great running and looking car.At almost 10 yrs old...still turns heads on the street!!!!!!!!! I bought it with 91,000 miles and expected trouble. 4 months and 9,500 miles later, still runs like a charm.At 511 I do not find the car extremely comfortable but its a STEALTH so who the hell cares!!!!!!!!

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  Why hasnt dodg/mitsu built a newr vers? - 1992 Dodge Stealth
  By DOYEACO1 - September 1 - 2:00 am

  I love my 1992 red tt- I have had a z28 with the vette engine, and a vette in the past and this blows them away in every category, and it is AWD to boot! Although I spoil mine and keep it in the garage when it is bad out, i have occasionally got stuck in a snow storm with it, no issues at all! Fun to drive and people stare, stealths are not as common place as 3000s and that is why I chose one. This car was ahead of its time when it came out, and for the money you cant beat it!

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  What a car! - 2002 Dodge Viper
  By shclarke - September 1 - 2:00 am

  It is rare to find a car that is as much fun to drive four thousand miles later as you thought it would be the first time you saw it. This car just gets better and better. I was afraid I might have some problems with it, but it has run like a top. I cant say enough about how much I love this car! This is clearly not the car for everyone, but it is certainly the car for me.

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  Goodbye Expedition - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By David Horvath - August 31 - 5:46 pm

  We need a large SUV with the kids and all . We purcased a Ford Expedition in late 2003 and it was the worst quality vehicle we have ever owned. After being in the shop more than home we traded the beast for a Dodge Durango. I must say the quality is perfect. The Dodge performs well and is a joy to drive. Living in New England its all about handling in snow and adverse weather conditions and its a true winner. On a recent long trip my kids didnt complain about comfort and truly enjoyed the superior DVD system (Fords didnt work most of the time). If youre looking for an SUV dont buy until you check out the Durango!