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:

• 

  Good family truck - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By kn1 - July 31 - 2:00 am

  I wanted something to do a bit of everything, commute, haul the family, tow, offroad, etc. Really liked it from the start. Cab is very well laid out. Comfortable seating with room enough for me (62"), even in the rear seats. Seats 6, rear doors open really wide for good access. Truck bed is a bit short, but I dont know if I would want the truck any longer (its a good compromise). Interior is nice, but not fancy--as it should be in a truck. Overall a great truck to handle many needs. Only complaint is that it seems a bit squirrilly on washboard roads or even some bumps on the highway. MPG around 17 (~70% highway driving).

• 

  Please take note: - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By Straight out - July 30 - 2:00 am

  I got my Neon when a friend got too rough with it and tore the clutch out.He at the time decided to purchase a SUV instead of repairing it. I purchased it for $200.00 and have replaced the torn out clutch, replaced the broken transmission,installed new front brakes, repaired an electrical fault, and replace the A/C compressor clutch to make it a cool comfortable ride. For mileage and condition of this car I am impressed!The car performs well and handles beyond my expectations.The car is as it should be an affordable, economical, vechicle. Miles do add up and things do wear. And not all owners are equal and not all cars are treated the same.

• 

  lessons learned - 1997 Dodge Intrepid
  By good american - July 30 - 2:00 am

  This was a great looking sedan and was fun to drive. I had many problems with it though. A leaky transmission that took many trips to the dealer to fix (it leaked onto the exhaust manifold and made the car stink inside the cab), leaking power steering pump and leaking water pump replaced before 30K. Also the cassette player died and had to be replaced. The 3.3L engie ran good but was a little weak for this size car. When I sold the car 1 1/2 years later I found out about Chrysler products resale value.

• 

  Fun to drive if it holds up... - 2001 Dodge Durango
  By amysue32 - July 30 - 2:00 am

  I have loved looking at and driving Dodge Durango since they came out. I purchased a 2001 model and have had it in the shop constantly for warranty work.

• 

  Looking Forward - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By Lapd006 - July 30 - 2:00 am

  Im 14 now i the only thing ive been looking at to drive is the Durango. Ive looking at it on every site i could find and Durango SLT looks like the perfect car.

• 

  Awful - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By tswezey - July 29 - 3:50 pm

  We just bought this brand new, yes 2008 we purchased in June 2009 with 50 miles on it. We drove 500 miles on vacation and the engine (power train) blew while on expressway going 65 miles/hr. Weve owned the van for 2 weeks to the day. Of course, the dealership was closed in the town we were in...bottom line we had to rent a van for $120/day for our family of 6. We will be reimbused a whole $375 for "trip interruption insurance". However, we are now home withOUT our "new" broken van. Its 500 miles away waiting for a "part" that isnt due for 5 more days. Once the van it fixed we have to find a way to our vehicle and pick it up. We will NEVER buy another Dodge, ever!

• 

  I like it better now than 100k miles ago - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By whippingpostguy - July 29 - 2:00 am

  This car is a warrior, I deliver newspapers with it in Minnesota, and it keeps on running. Routine maintanence is easy, albeit a bit crowded. I never though 6 years ago Id be still driving it and it would still act and look like new.

• 

  02 Dodge Neon SXT - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By Ryan Tanner - July 29 - 2:00 am

  I am very satisfied with my new car. It handles very well. I think is is the best car out of all the compact cars made. #2 was the civic. There are a lot of aftermarket parts available for the neon. I have put a lot of performance parts on it and it drives a lot better than any other car I have had. The price was great and I had the first sxt in central Ohio

• 

  Great - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By fst_sxt - July 29 - 2:00 am

  I love my neon. I think that everyone under estimates the car. It is american made. I have owned one every year and I think that I will buy the srt-4

• 

  Exceptional & Really Fun to Drive - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By makja - July 29 - 2:00 am

  In one word "Exceptional". I decided on the ES package when purchasing my new Stratus. I opted for cloth instead of leather seats but made up for it with a power moon roof, CD changer & chrome rims. Besides its sleak yet sporty looks this car makes you feel like youre floating when cruising down a country road with the moon roof open and windows down. But punch the gas to the floor and hang on. The 200 HP engine races from 50 to 100 in what seems like a few seconds. All in all exceptional handling, supreme power, sleak yet sporty looks & an exceptional sound system make this car the greatest Ive ever owned.