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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  WHY ARE THE TIRES/BRAKES ON THIS CAR SO BAD??? and - 2011 Dodge Journey
  By candy101 - June 14 - 6:39 pm

  I HAVE NEVER Prayed for my warranty to expire EVER on any car but thats just what I did with this car! Hands down it is the best car as far as size, comfort, sporty even. But, there is NO REASON, I should be looking at buying ANOTHER set of tires and BRAKES! I have 35,000 miles and need them again. I replaced all 4 tires at 17,000 miles and the brakes then too. THIS IS A defect! And from what I can tell with reading other reviews, ITS NOT ME! When I go to have my oil changed the attendants will call over their buddies to see the car that needs its third set of tires and third set of brakes. ITs STUPID. Not to mention the Rear transaxel went out at 15,000. Get a chevy!

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  What a pile of junk! - 2005 Dodge Stratus
  By 4starks - June 6 - 6:38 pm

  Bought this car with 36k on it from Hertz Car Sales in Pasco. They say they have a money back guarentee for 7 days...I call BS on that. I took it back to them as it was making a noise, they couldnt hear it so they wouldnt honor it. It has had nothing but problems since day 1!! Bad mileage, small breakdowns etc and NOW, my crank is bad and it is going to cost me a new engine. Just turned 100k. I hate this freaking car, and I hate Hertz Car Sales.

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  Love this car! but beware of the back seat - 2010 Dodge Challenger
  By frylock05 - June 6 - 8:34 am

  I have had both the 2010 Camaro and now I own a 2010 Challenger. Its far more roomy and attracts quite a bit of attention everywhere. It has that original retro look, like a retro remix....lol like the 70s challenger had a baby and this car is it. I only dont like 1 thing and that is that to get in the backseat you have to go threw the passanger side only. Also the seat release on the back of the passanger seat is not safe. I was hit in the eye trying to get out of my backseat by it, I had to have 6 stiches that really did suck..but I still love it its a trully beautiful machine and is a just delight to drive so I reommend it to others...but beware of the back seat.

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  stalls in traffic - 2010 Dodge Journey
  By amus - June 5 - 9:49 pm

  This car is a p.o.s. Has stalled in oncoming traffic 3 times, brakes are junk. 33,000 miles and chrysler does not car care about the safety of my family or standing by there product. Transmission acts like it is on its way out. I tried to buy an american vehicle, I Knew better than to buy a dodge. $30,000 mistake

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  Amazing! - 2011 Dodge Charger
  By 1atomic - June 5 - 1:01 pm

  We are very impressed with our new 2011 Dodge Charger R/T and delighted we opted for AWD, a "must have" in the Northeast. Our new Charger was ordered all "optioned out" and the price was still below that of its rivals.

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  Awesome vehicle! - 2011 Dodge Durango
  By beef76 - June 4 - 12:35 pm

  Let me start by saying that I have never owned an American made car. However, after doing a year of research and test drives, it came down to the Citadel. This was a late entry, since it just came out, but nothing else compared. The inside is pure luxury, not cheap plastics as before. The Acadia Denalis was second, but really there is little comparison.

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  Wasnt sure about the Nitro but... - 2011 Dodge Nitro
  By evey1 - June 3 - 5:30 pm

  We purchased our Dodge Nitro December 2010. I read all of the reviews..poor performance but good reliability it said. After driving it for 6 months, I can say it is 100% reliable, excellent in the snow. I did not have a worry and made it to work in all of the snow. The interior isnt glamorous..could use a better design to match the exterior. Plenty of trunk space which I love having 2 kids. My husband talked me into buying this truck ..and I am pleasantly surprised..I love driving it.

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  Dodge Charger RT Girl - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By chargerrtgirl - June 3 - 3:53 pm

  I LOVE this car!! I wanted to get something with plenty of room but still sporty, my husband and I went shopping and we saw this red Charger RT and I automatically wanted to drive it! I pressed the gas and I had that feeling, The feeling of LOVE!!! I have had it for a year and I love it now as much as I did the day I drove it home.

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  Journey Front Brakes are Faulty. - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By chris_baker13 - June 3 - 12:59 am

  I have had my Journey for about a year now and my brakes keep failing. I have had the rotors resurfaced many times and replaced brake pads and yet I only have 39,000 miles on it and its a 2009. I think there is something worong with the design or engineering of the setup.

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  Unreal - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By brian714oc - June 1 - 12:25 am

  i own a 2006 rt with the hemi and let me tell u it one heck of a car i couldnt complain on any day of the week cause in the end of them all i have my magnum to run to and with , dodge did something not to many have and thats impress me