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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  Good Truck - 2007 Dodge Durango
  By mattrat - September 8 - 8:58 am

  I have had this truck for a few months now, and have little complaints. The common complaint here is fuel consumption. It is a truck with a V8, what did you expect? Some people just need the power and room, and that will cost you in fuel costs. If you are looking for 30 MPG, get a VW. Space is great and there are a load of great features. The all time 4WD drive is great for my wife. All the safety, and I dont have to worry about her screwing up the transfer case by shifting wrong. My suggestion is to buy it used. The depreciation for a new Durango is ridiculous, like $10,000 the first year. You can get a $40,000 truck for half the price if you go one year old.

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  Popular - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Paula - September 8 - 4:13 am

  I cant believe how many Dodge Calibers Ive seen on the road already. Its fun to drive and the styling sure turns heads. Sure the price is right, but many corners seemed to have been cut to achive the price point. There have been so many fit and finish problems and kinks to work out, that my first Dodge may be my last.

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  Sues review of Dodge van - 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By ljohns - September 7 - 10:00 am

  AC problems...replaced with non Dodge Condenser coils, etc...Works perfectly now. All else with van is great.

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  Its Good but Thirsty - 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By thosdd - September 7 - 10:00 am

  This is a fine piece of work. The only complaint is the LOUSY mpg. I getting 16 to 17 mpg. This is not what the spec. sheet said. Other than that this van is very comfortable.

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  Clean Cut Car - 2007 Dodge Magnum
  By Chad - September 6 - 1:20 am

  The car is very clean cut and has an aggressive look which I like. The horsepower sucks and wish I got the hemi model for that reason. Space and comfort is great though. Gas mileage stinks and I dont have a heavy foot.

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  Transportation vehicle - 1999 Dodge Stratus
  By E. Vest - September 5 - 8:54 am

  Good vehicle to drive for older person like myself. Hard to get in and out is the only real complaint. Blown fuse to ignition caused me to have it towed to repair shop. I overlooked the fuse listing in manual as there are 2 fuses to the ignition wire system. Replaced starter that was very expensive. The expense may have been more by the repair shop than the true reason. I should have had the Dodge repair shop replace starter. I had other ignition problems that resulted in the replacing of spark plugs and ignition wires that I did myself. Using regular gasoline may have caused these parts to start failing. Just my theory. Had brakes shoes renewed that is normal as well as tires.

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  One of the best cars Ive owned! Really! - 2000 Dodge Stratus
  By Detroit Driver - September 4 - 10:39 pm

  I have had my stratus for close to eight years with very few maintenance issues. Overall, this is a solid well built sporty sedan that is a pleasure to drive. I am VERY satisfied with the vehicle. I am now over 170,000 miles and still going strong!

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  momuleapullin - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By moMULE - September 4 - 10:00 am

  rides well and has lots of pickup. Wish the gate window opened but that is probably in the works for 2005? Pulls 26 camper trailer very well and doesnt wonder all over the road, easy to steer and control. Selected the 4X2 SLT and we are not disappointed ! with the HEMI it does a great job.

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  R/T review - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By PA R/T Owner - September 2 - 7:55 am

  Ive had my Inferno Red R/T for about 2 months now and for the most part I am pleased. I love the exterior looks and the torque on the 4.0L V6 is awesome. I live in a very hilly part of Pennsylvania so gas mileage is not the greatest. I average about 13- 14 mpg/city. Also the build quality is a little sub par. Since I have had the vehicle the transmission has leaked, the rear door and hatch panels rattle like crazy with music and the roof rails needed to be replace. End the end. I really love this car. Chrysler just needs to do a better job with their quality control.

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  Will not buy another - 2007 Dodge Charger
  By Jose - August 31 - 3:14 pm

  Fun car to drive but is expensive to maintain after 40,000 miles. Fans go out and transmission has problems. Things that you should not have problems with at this mileage are failing. I had a 95 Chevy Impala SS that did not cost as much to maintain and I kept it until 125,000 miles. If looking to buy just remember it is a "DODGE".