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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  could be better - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By moparlvr - August 5 - 2:01 am

  Fun to drive, handles well, very responsive, but the noisiest vehicle I have owned engine has a slight whistle and it rattles over small bumps. Maybe that is why it comes with six Boston Acoustic speakers. Second chance: I would rather wait for the Challenger to be introduced with the 3.5 HO engine, it having a wider stance should ride more comfortably.

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  Can you say HEMI - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Bob - August 4 - 10:16 pm

  I drive this car daily, and it is fun to drive. It is roomy, rides nice, and plenty of power. It is also functional with lots of room in the trunk and a backseat someone can sit in without there knees being in there mouth. One thing about this car it is not for new drivers, it can fool you because it rides so nice because of its size you can be doing 100 mph and it feels like 70 mph. The sterio with the big woofers in the door and amp are nice. The navigation computer works fairly well, and my son loves the DVD player he uses it as a CD player with the headphones so he can listen to his music and I can listen to mine. All in all it is a nice car that turns heads and is fun to drive.

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  Family Hauler + Hemi Fun = SUV Alt - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Toonzz - August 3 - 9:17 pm

  I just traded my Durango for the Hemi powered Magnum. Frankly the family didnt need all the space in trade for MPGs. I had to have the utility of an SUV just not the size, but I personally wanted some style. The Magnum was the only option. Toss in the Hemi and it was a no-brainer. I love the agility and responsiveness of the Magnum, the wife loves the practicality, and the kids arent embarrassed to be seen in it. Ive only had it a few days, so the verdict is still out on the quality and reliability. Everything else is nothing less than perfection, given all other things being relatively equal. I hope to enjoy it for many years to come.

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  Reliable - 1997 Dodge Dakota
  By MW Maker - August 2 - 6:11 pm

  I bought the Dakota new back in 1997. I now have almost 150k miles with nothing but standard maintenance required. I have had a problem with the speakers since I bought it and the dealership could never figure it out. Other than this one issue the truck has served me well over the past decade.

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  Suprise, Surprise, Surpise!! - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Carmen - August 2 - 10:42 am

  I went to the dealer looking for a different car. Well, not so good credit landed me my neon. WOW!!! I am so happy that I got it. Ive had it for about 4 years and only took it to the garage once. The mechanic was not too happy to hear it was a Neon, well after he test drove it after the fix, he was in love with MY car!! No complaints, but that for a small car its not very fuel efficient. Other than that, I recommend this car. LOVE IT!

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  InNeed of a Car - 1998 Dodge Caravan
  By Slim Shady - July 31 - 11:43 pm

  Like any other vehicle, if serviced timely itll serve its purpose...I guess. Bought the car used in 2006 because my family was in need of a car at the time. I can say, "that the experience has been fairly decent...until the final note was paid." Hardly nothing went wrong and then the bottom fell out! I may have replaced the alt., both water and fuel pumps, brake booster, therm, rad./relay fan, and several other parts all within 6-8 mos. But hey, what can I say. It was my only means of transportation and for that Im blessed! Ive said it before, and Ill say again: never buy a "Dodge" again!

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  Good Truck - 2000 Dodge Dakota
  By sean - July 31 - 4:12 am

  This has been a really great truck to have. I get about 25 MPG on the highway. I would advise not driving in the city as it chugs gas in crowded SoCal City roads. Ive hauled 1 trailer and didnt even notice any difficulty with the V-6. I run an aftermarket exhaust and people think I have a V-8 and want to race.

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  Phantom of the Radio - 2006 Dodge Durango
  By Kay - July 28 - 10:57 pm

  My 2006 Dodge Durango is a vast improvement over my 2001 Durango: the ride is MUCH smoother, it has more power, and the seats are nicer. The drawbacks are: cheaper carpet which is easily marred, plastic pieces on the seats pop off randomly, the 2nd row seat belts are difficult for kids old enough (8, 10) to take off their seat belts, the gap between the front seats and the middle console is no mans land, where almost anything can fall through, AND the number one strange feature - THE RADIO LOUDLY CRACKLES AND POPS WHEN IT ISNT EVEN ON! Maybe its SIRIUS trying to break through since I didnt re-up? Dealership has no clue and offered no remedy.

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  2008 Challenger review - 2008 Dodge Challenger
  By KingKustoms505 - July 28 - 4:25 pm

  Got the silver one w/a sunroof. I cant really rate the performance yet (program made me pick one) because Im still breaking it in (only has 212 miles on it, manual says it needs 500 for proper break-in). The passenger muffler tip hangs lower than the drivers side. The steering wheel does not adjust downward enough for short guys to ride "low".

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  Avenger SXT 4 Cyld - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By Roy - July 27 - 12:41 pm

  Ordered from factory, picked up in late January 08. Was working then avg 250 miles per week, job 22 highway (mostly)miles distant. Probably 90% HW driving and got 31.+ mpg sometimes 32.+. Came from a 2002 Chrysler 300M, big 6 to this 4 cyl. It does just fine. Good road handling and quiet at 70. A bit stiffer than the 300M, but that was expected. I really like the car and the several options I got with it.