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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  Nice car - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By coonie - August 22 - 2:16 pm

  Would be nice if gas mileage would increase. I am not getting 28mpg. Car handles very well. One mistake I made was to add the rain guards, they create too much of a blind spot. Overall I am very happy with it.

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  Reliable family hauler - 2002 Dodge Ram Wagon
  By FedExMatty - August 22 - 2:00 am

  This van has been wonderful for our growing family. We took it on a trip the summer of 2003 from GA to MN back tom GA then to FL all in a 2.5 week time. We had ample room for our family of six and the vehicle performed flawlessly. We also pulled a camper from GA to AL and it had no troulbe. I couldnt even tell the camper was there. We love it!!!!!!

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  Original owner & still driving it - 2001 Dodge Neon
  By oceangal313 - August 21 - 11:18 am

  This has been a great and fun car. I have replaced 2 front tie rods and the radio. I also replaced the radiator even though the dealer said I needed a tranny too, they lied. I bought some nice Elbrus wheels for it and Komho tires, added a spoiler and a faux hood scoop. My husband added a nice stripe to it and some V8 Hemi decals from an old Dodge truck. The car is awesome! With the Cars for Clunkers program I am thinking of trading in an old pickup and getting something new. If I do I am going to miss this car. It got me through my 40s :-)

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  We have been quite happy - 1997 Dodge Avenger
  By Jim91010 - August 20 - 7:32 pm

  This was the choice of my wife as it was to be her primary car. We have put 197,000 miles on it with no major problems. We recently replaced the front end struts.

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  Comfortable ride - 2005 Dodge Caravan
  By Ron - August 20 - 12:11 pm

  Purchased new in May 05, now has 36,400 miles. Only have changed the oil, same battery and brakes. Have not replaced or repaired anything. Comfortable seats and a quite comfortable ride. Average 27 MPG highway on the 3.3 engine which is very quite. Test drove a Honda van and it was not as comfortable as the Dodge.

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  Great Riding Van! - 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Patti D - August 19 - 11:36 pm

  My husband has worked for General motors for 31 years, and felt very guilty even looking at a Dodge! (At least it is American made). But this mini van had everything we were looking for that we couldnt find in a GM van. We love the stow and go seating, that was the main selling point, along with the auto sliding doors and tail gate and the three zone climate control. This all comes in handy with our two large labs. The van is much quieter than our previous Chevy and the ride is very smooth.

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  Dodge had a WINNER! - 2002 Dodge Intrepid
  By HMR - August 19 - 2:04 am

  Hello...I bought my Intrepid ES new in Nov. 2001. I was not sure about buying a Dodge, but I liked what I saw, and I was right. Dodge had a WINNER with this car! Only minor teething problems at first, but it quickly grew into a strong and reliable car. GOOD looking also. I recently had to replace a wheel/rim due to corrosion, which was causing an air leak in the tire. I have read where this is a problem common to certain styles of wheels. I would still have this car, but it was recently (8-2009) totaled in a crash. It took a SEVERE high speed rear end impact, but no intrusion into the passenger compartment! If Dodge still made this model, I would buy another one. HMR

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  Beautiful - 2007 Dodge Charger
  By Ryan L - August 19 - 1:37 am

  I recently totaled my 08 Mazda 6 so I have been car shopping for a while now. I can honestly say that having an infant daughter, This car is everything I wanted and more. Its Sporty but can also fit a family inside. It hauls major when I need to gas it in front of the guys but also comfortable as a cloud. If youre looking for a Safe Reliable sharp looking car. The Charger is the way to go.

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  GROSSLY Underrated!! - 2009 Dodge Avenger
  By Bill - August 18 - 11:50 am

  I bought my 2009 sxt (2.7l v^) in November of 2008 and love it to death! Solid construction beautiful design fast performance overall, its great! Just because its not an import is no reason for car & driver and Edmunds to slam it. They rank it low on "fun to drive, " and they either didnt drive one or are stupid! This car is a blast!

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  The research paid off - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By marlin95 - August 18 - 3:03 am

  This Charger RT has the power to get up and go when you feel the need, but will also give you the gas mileage when you feel the need. I test drove the 06 Mustang GT and found the performance, styling and curb appeal of the Charger was head and shoulders above the Mustang. I have not been able to fuel up without someone approaching me to comment the beautiful looks of the car.