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:

• 

  MOVING GARBAGE PAIL - 2001 Dodge Intrepid
  By jkm127 - August 22 - 2:00 am

  This has been THE worst car I have ever owned. As a result I will NEVER buy another Chryler product. Chryler does not stand behind its product and provide unacceptable customer service. Got buy a Honda or Toyota, you wont have to worry about bring stranded in the middle of a busy freeway during rush hour traffic.

• 

  Great van - 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Not my first rodeo - August 21 - 5:16 pm

  We bought it new in 98, it now has 179k on it with only the normal maintenance. The local Grease Monkey franchise flushed the transmission at 120k and cracked the lines which blew out all the fluid while on a trip to Nashville. Time for a new tranny at my expense as they accepted no blame even though they admitted theyd cracked the lines. Go figure that one. Only complaint is the headlights dont put out a lot of light, otherwise everything has worked since day one. Id recommend the Caravan to anyone.

• 

  I love this car! - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By melann - August 21 - 4:30 pm

  I have wanted this car ever since they came out. My very first car was a 1984 Dodge Charger, a far cry from this bad baby, but you know, I am sentimental. This is one of the most awsome cars because you can have power and still have a family car. It handles so well. The smoothness of driving is a pleasureable experience. I originally wanted the SXT model for the extra gas mileage, but my husband said I would be made fun of to have a car like that with the 6 cylinder motor. I think he just wanted that HEMI. Well, I am glad I listened to him. I love the HEMI. I love this car!

• 

  I expected something better - 1997 Dodge Neon
  By It@doesntmatter.com - August 21 - 2:00 am

  Im very disappointed. Less that 40K miles and have had too many things go wrong. Currently have it in the shop, all dials (water, speedometer, tach, odometer, etc) stopped moving. Im told its due to a bad circuit board, $440 to fix. Also have gone through two sets of tires and approaching the third already.

• 

  They have ruined the Durango! - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By The Big dawg - August 21 - 2:00 am

  WE own a 1999 durango and test drove a 2002. The 1999 is far better. It has a bigger engine 5.2 vs 4.7. Most of all, the AC in our 99 is far better to the 2002. In places like Phoenix AZ, Dallas Texas, Atlanta GA, ETC, the superior AC is very important!!!!!!!

• 

  Pleasant surprise - 1999 Dodge Neon
  By sofarsogood - August 20 - 2:00 am

  Fun little car with Honda like reliability. Purchased as an alternate fuel efficient "tow" vehicle for my jet ski and it performed beyond my expectations. Pulls a 500 lb jet ski with ease using manual 5-speed. Has over 60000 miles on routine oil changes and a battery replacement. Dodge did something right with this car.

• 

  Neon Sport - 1999 Dodge Neon
  By jeffersonmin - August 19 - 2:00 am

  No problems to date with this car. The interior on the Sport is so much more comfortable than the more basic models. Can do at least 110 MPH (DOHC engine in mine)if you want it to.

• 

  Horrible Car - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By Very upset - August 19 - 2:00 am

  Where should I start? I can say for sure that I will never buy another Chrysler again. This car constantly has problems...I have put over $3,000 into it just this year, and I am a broke college student. When I take it to the dealership, they are rude. In fact, just a few weeks ago, my check engine light came on and I took it to get fixed...4 times!! The light kept coming on and they would say they fixed it but they didnt. Needless to say, I am still driving with the light on. Dont buy this car...it was a waste of money for me!

• 

  TIME FOR A CHANGE - 1993 Dodge Caravan
  By NEWVANTIME - August 19 - 2:00 am

  Now at 108K miles. New transmission at 70K ($2500) The trans was never right on this car, but dealer ignored complaints and kept "resetting the computer" til it blew out after warranty. major engine work needed by 75K. A clunky car since day one. Recall notices in the mail about every month-I stopped paying attention a few years ago. Off to the Honda dealer soon for a 2003 Odyssey...

• 

  Pain to Maintain - 1997 Dodge Dakota
  By nate676 - August 19 - 2:00 am

  Typical American truck. You will spend many hours and many dollars at the garage having maintenance done. Fuel economy, as expected with a V8 is horrible. Engine starts knocking around 60000 miles I suggest using premium gas for best results. V8 has good get up and go. My Dakota has a severe tire wear problem it is not related to front-end alignments (or lack there of). Dakota doesnt hold up very well in a car wreck. I rear-ended a dinky Toyota Corolla and it cost $2700 to repair my vehicle.