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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  You get what you pay for! - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By texasgunrunner - August 3 - 2:00 am

  My Dakota performs well in spite of how I abuse it. For a V8 4x4, the gas mileage acceptable. It has been extremely reliable - and I put 30K miles on it the first year!. The only serious issue was the AC clutch bearing failed, which I replaced myself. I did upgrade the cheesy factory front rotors. For all the other reviewers who bought the low-end versions econo- versions ("It lacks power with a 2.5L engine..." duh! it is a truck!) - you get what you pay for and you should have had a V8. This is no featherweight Nissan putt-putt - it is a real vehicle, so get a real engine and then well talk.

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  Buy another SUV - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By Dean P. Cook - August 2 - 2:30 pm

  Dont be fooled by the cool looks of the Nitro! Ive had problems from day 1. First of all the radio stopped working so the dealership replaced it then they replaced it again. Then the check engine light came on, I had it in 4 times before they finally fixed that. The transmission slips, they say this is due to needed download that Chrysler hasnt developed yet. I also have a water leak that two dealerships cant find. Now I drive around with 2 inches of water in the passenger floor pan, the interior stinks and the carpeting is ruined. Now Im in arbetration to have Chrysler buy this lemon back. I have never been so dissapointed with a new vehicle purchase ever. DONT BUY THIS PIECE OF CRAP!

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  Awesome Car - 1993 Dodge Stealth
  By john cornell - August 2 - 2:00 am

  This car is a fantastic, fast, fun, car and has great power. I to have smoked just about any car I raced with. The styling is great. Since Dodge and Mitchibitchi never really changed the body style most cant tell how old this car really is. Very reliable and handles like a race car. I always get looks where ever I take it.

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  A good van. - 1999 Dodge Caravan
  By igottaflynow - August 2 - 2:00 am

  I bought this van for my family in Feb of 2002. We put a full load in this van all the time (kids and luggage.) We have had absolutely no problems with this vehicle. We drove it from Ogden to Las Vegas in 100 + heat with a/c blowing cold all the way. The engine is smooth and not a slouch passing traffic. Its quiet and comfortable to sit in for extended periods of time. My sixteen year old does not like the styling. But what sixteen year old would. Good gas mileage and most important staying cool in a hot Utah summer is important to me My van is the base Grand Caravan without all the goodies.

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  good truck - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By DocBob - August 2 - 2:00 am

  I had the truck for about 8 months. I is just what I wanted 4 doors acts like a car with the kids and has a bed to move stuff around. Only draw back is the gas milage but I knew that before I purchased the truck. Overall a very good truck a little wind noise on the hight way though.

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  Believe it or not - 1997 Dodge Dakota
  By TODD - August 1 - 2:00 am

  Handling is similiar to a Dodge car, can stay tight on curves and has very good performance over all. I have achieved 15.75 miles to the gallon while running the a/c. This is a mixture of highway and city driving.

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  Been in shop 4 xs since 5/02 - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By Vern - August 1 - 2:00 am

  I am filling this car up every two days, the dealer doesnt seem to think there is a problem. I wrote a letter to daimlerchrysler (ceo) and hoped that this would get resolved, unfortunately after this 4th time in the shop, it still does the same thing. I am fed up with this car.

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  Used and abused and still loving it - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By Nicole Towsley - July 31 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my 1995 neon about ten months ago. It has been one of the best vehicles I have ever owned. My car is Red 5 speed transmission and faster then any neon I have ever had the pleasure of driving. They do have the problems with head gaskets going on certain neons, but my car hasnt had any bigger of a problem then brakes,starter,suspensioni. But what car wouldnt have these problems at seven years old. My car has surpassed 120k and it runs like a champ.

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  Overall - a good car - 1999 Dodge Avenger
  By SiliconJesus - July 31 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Avenger new. I looked around at cars from Chevy, and others from Dodge, and decided on the Avenger. Now two years later, Im very pleased with my decision. Overall, its a very dependable and forgiving car, typical of the Dodge/Mitsubishi cooperatives Diamond Star vehicles. The power put out by this car is generous, but does not match enough with the cars agressive stylings. Still, it has plenty of power to keep me in trouble (generally commuting 45 miles each way on interstates at 80 MPH). Fuel consumption is still good at 32 MPG.

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  Love my Caravan - 2002 Dodge Caravan
  By mike and colleen - July 31 - 2:00 am

  Dodge Caravan SE 3.3L 6 cyl enging: very attractive (interior and exterior). smooth ride, fun to drive. excellent a/c. comfy seats. kids love it. in a recent 5,000 mile road trip, couldnt have been happier.