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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  30,000 miles and problems not covered!!! - 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By neverdodge1 - July 6 - 2:50 pm

  My friends warned me about Chrysler products, but I ignored them. BOY, I was wrong, at 30,000 miles steering was vibrating intensely when cold accompanied by a loud whine. The dealer and Dodge online said tough luck, you bought a lemon and this is the power steering reservoir clogged, a cheap fix. Before considering buying a Chrysler product, you have to ask yourself what kind of car manufacturer screws up power steering. One that ENGINEERS their products to FAIL. I never owned a vehicle with a power steering problem except for the 2 Caravans I bought. I not own this one when the trans fails, and it will, like the other Caravan I owned. I will NEVER BUY ANOTHER CHRYSLER PRODUCT.

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  Fun to Drive - 1991 Dodge Shadow
  By Dan Washington - July 6 - 2:00 am

  At 150K, this car runs like a Tiger! The 2.2 litter four-cylinder engine averages 25-city/30-highway mileage per gallon. The two misgiving on this vehicle are the air-conditioning and 0to 40 miles takeoff speed. The air- condition compressor and high-pressure side hoses need major design improvement.

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  Nice car...if it did not keep breaking! - 1994 Dodge Intrepid
  By Aaron Humberston - July 6 - 2:00 am

  Paint went to crap,the tie rods needed to be replaced, ABS sensor died,brake pads every year,Airbag quit working, cd works intermittently,trunk release busted,new hoses,power window broken,radio doesnt work, transmission stalls before shifting, A/C cooling fan broken, a dealer item only so you have to buy the five hundred dollar Cooling fan + A/C fan + grill, A/C doesnt switch from fresh air to recycled air, seams of seats coming apart,floor rust on carpet, mysterious intermittant stalling,Numerous recalls broken driver seat that just fell back while driving, power seat broken, parts expensive. Scary to drive! Be afraid!

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  Great Vehicle - 1994 Dodge Intrepid
  By Telemachous - July 6 - 2:00 am

  I have owned this car for about 4 years and have loved it. I placed a spoiler on the rear end which helps to offset the awkward appearence that the front end is much lower than the rear. I currently drive the car on highway construction and it has held up better than expected. It amazingly can drive through some rough land. However, it is starting to develop a rattling in the rear end, though I suspect this would not happen with normal use. A very tough car.

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  Nice Little Car - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By lenbauer - July 6 - 2:00 am

  This is a great second car for the family or for a college student.In my opinion this car is the Best buy for the money.

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  Dodge Charger SRT8 - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Maricela Gutierrez - July 6 - 12:50 am

  This is the funnest car I have ever driven. The interior and exterior design of this vehicle is excellent. I am very happy with our decision to purchase a Charger SRT8! I would highly recommend this vehicle to anyone! Keep up the great work!

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  1997 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport - 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Shoe - July 5 - 8:36 am

  Overall great vehicle. Maintainance has been normal and the Dodge dealers Ive had to deal with have been great too (Im military, so have moved around a bit). The engine has held up well and the only real disapointment Ive had is that the a/c went bad and had to be replaced. Ive been coast to coast and from Florida to New Hampshire with no major probems. Will likely consider a Grand Caravan again.

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  Looks nice... when it works! - 1997 Dodge Avenger
  By Lally - July 5 - 2:00 am

  I have always liked how my Avenger looks. Its a car that will get you the chicks, but I am so sick of major repairs every six months! Ive had to fix things Ive never even heard of. And trust me, the repairs arent cheap! Also, Im seeing places where the paint is starting to bubble, indicating rust.

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  Better than the Liberty or Nitro - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By NJH - July 4 - 6:03 am

  Was this or the Nitro (Liberty). The Journey is quieter, drives smoother and has far more features. No contest.

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  jinxed? - 1995 Dodge Stratus
  By Beth - July 4 - 2:00 am

  Ive had nothing but problems since purchase. Luckily I got an extended warranty, which Chrysler has lost A LOT of money on. The powertrain control module was replaced twice, and took six trips to the dealership to be completed properly. Keyless entry unit has not worked since just after purchase. Apparently the computer will not respond. The body control module was just replaced last month (NOT under warranty) and transmission soleniod replaced this week. I would enjoy the car if not for the almost monthly trips to the mechanic(milage is 80k-not 100s) Wish could recommend a Stratus to other buyers, but would be VERY wary at this point.