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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  Sporty yet economic - 2001 Dodge Stratus
  By Gable - July 10 - 2:00 am

  I have put over 20,000 miles on my Stratus in just 9 months. I love driving it and she seems to love getting out there everyday on the open road. Definately a smart buy!

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  GTO of the 90s?? - 1993 Dodge Stealth
  By goody - July 9 - 2:00 am

  This is one of the greatest import sport cars produced in the 90s.Pound for pound it is better than the Toyota Supra, and the Mazda RX-7.The perfomance for the buck is unbeliable.The only flaw with the car is that it is FWD.The RT twin turbo is AWD and they should have made all models this.Great car,good power,great handling, but lacks torque.

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  waste of money - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By givemeabreak - July 9 - 2:00 am

  this is the worst car ive ever owned. it spent more time in the shop than on the road. everythingwent wrong from the head gasket to the transmission to the brakes and the air compressor. after 2 years of owning the car i was finally hit head on in which he dual side air bags NEVER EVEN INFLATED!!!! good riddance to a horrible vehicle.

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  1993 Stealh RT/AWD AWS Twin Turbo - 1993 Dodge Stealth
  By Robert Gillespie - July 8 - 2:00 am

  Oustanding Camaro SS buster! If you could the look on thier faces when they are smoked by a Dodge!

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  Unreliable & Disappointed - 1997 Dodge Neon
  By Princess_Di28 - July 8 - 2:00 am

  I have had my neon for 2.5 years- I have had several repairs. Many issues with electrical problems- pluggs, wiring,etc. The brakes are noisy- I keep getting told that it is just how neons are!? The framless doors make the car seem very flimsy and creates a horrible noise when you close the door if the window is open. Furthermore, the front speakers to the radio do not work half the time, and the back ones died! These cars seem nice and economical- until you find yourself taking them into the garage to get fixed every month!!!!! I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS CAR!

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  1996 Dodge Avenger - 1996 Dodge Avenger
  By delon73 - July 8 - 2:00 am

  Good looking car and easy to modify!!!

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  All in all great! - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By MichaelAstrid - July 8 - 2:00 am

  The car is a wonderful little fuel econmy vehicle. This is my second Neon and I really enjoy the improvements made for 2002.

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  I Love This R/T - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By DodgeMan - July 8 - 2:00 am

  I Just traded in my 98 SLT for the R/T. I can not believe the difference between the two. If i didnt know any better i would think I was driving a sports car. It seems that this bad boy soved all the problems of the old SLT. I no longer have the constant problems with my rear breaks. I dont squeal around corners or break the rear end loose on turns. Well done.!!

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  Great SUV - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By durango999 - July 8 - 2:00 am

  I have owned four SUVs, and three trucks and by far this is the best.

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  Love our Dodge Journey - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Pete & Kathy Avon NY - July 6 - 3:56 pm

  Recently purchased the 2009 Dodge Journey at Genesee Country Dodge- Chrysler in Avon, NY. We traded in our 2002 T&C (that my wife hated to depart with) but, in just one day she forgot about the mini van and loves the new Journey. Price, comfort, style and Lifetime Warranty are all excellent!