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:

• 

  Whatdahelldidiget?? - 1998 Dodge Caravan
  By MsNaive - June 23 - 2:00 am

  Just purchased on 4/24/02 (used) and had 25000 miles on it. Within a month and a half, transmission started acting up. Had trans replaced. Lots of "wind noise", so I dont know if something else is wrong or that is the way it supposed to "sound". I am very glad I got the extended warranty! So I didnt have to pay the astronomical cost of $2600! Honestly, this vehicle could be much better. I believe Im going to get my Ford Winstar!!!

• 

  GREAT SUV!!! - 1998 Dodge Durango
  By ajrico - June 23 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive, and the 4WD works wonders. Gas mileage is actually good on the highway (for an SUV with a V8 engine). Extremely powerful and wide vehicle.

• 

  explorer killer - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By woz - June 21 - 10:50 pm

  i love to drive again

• 

  OKIE CHARGER - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By RobertKeeley - June 21 - 4:10 am

  This is a wonderful car, very proud to own and drive. Always exciting and never labored feeling. Very quick and fast, yet so polite you wished it pushed you back in the seat more (I NEED an SRT8). Only one problem, a strut or other suspension nut was loose after a few days of driving and made a horrible rattle. The tightened and all has been well, but a little grey cloud. I can easily get 20.4 mpg which I think is good for this 8 cyl. Gets attention. Have barely begun to explore the large owners manual to setup things more to my taste. Sound system is loud and still CLEAN. Transmission is great. After Chevy, Ford, Honda, Im still amazed I trully enjoy this car as much as I do.

• 

  Dodge-Never Again - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By R Webb - June 21 - 12:53 am

  After 66,666 freeway miles, the CVT transmission has failed and needs to be replaced at a cost of $4,500 in a vehicle worth approx $13,000. It will be dumped on another unsuspecting sap before the replacement transmission fails, which is certain.

• 

  Worst engine best comfort-safety - 2013 Dodge Dart
  By Robert H - June 20 - 8:56 am

  This sedan would be 5 stars if not for the engine. It has the worst engine in any car on the road today. Sometimes you wonder if theres a lawn mower engine under the hood. Then again I get 28mpg around town and near 40 on the highway. The interior comfort and technology is excellent.

• 

  Stealth - 1991 Dodge Stealth
  By joshuas311 - June 20 - 2:00 am

  Fas, cheap and reliable

• 

  Dont buy one. - 1998 Dodge Durango
  By Little puppy - June 20 - 2:00 am

  Poor performace Uncomfortable Unsafe brakes Miserable gas mileage Flimsy Unreliable What a mistake, My wife liked better than a "minivan" when we bought it. Now it just sits. It has been in and out of the shop most of its life

• 

  Amazing!!!! - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By DakAtak - June 20 - 2:00 am

  Wonderful to drive....amazing 0-60 times for a 4X4. And amazing off road capability!! Plus I am getting 18 mpg in the city and around 25 on the highway!!

• 

  So far, an excellent truck - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By RDT - June 20 - 2:00 am

  Have had the truck 2 years before it had to go to the shop with a minor problem with pollution control. No other repairs since purchased. Excellent power with the V8 even when towing. Good handling in the snow with 4WD. Excellent wear on the tires. Just about time for new front brakes but that is because of a lot of towing trailers without electric brakes. Would definitely buy another.