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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  Avenger Lover - 2009 Dodge Avenger
  By RMU - August 7 - 10:45 am

  I too dont understand the poor ratings from Edmunds. This car is awesome! I call it my mini-Charger! Exterior styling is great, interior styling nice with my SXT (older version as the newer 09 SXT is the earlier 09 SE-a bit confusing)! Excellent sound system, Huge interior and trunk space, a real head turner! Im 6-4" and have more space than I need without compromising space for rear passengers. Cant say enough good things about this car. oh, and 33+ mpg on the highway! Long Live Dodge!

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  nitro!!!! - 2009 Dodge Nitro
  By dodgeman1129 - August 7 - 8:43 am

  The nitro is a great car it is fun to drive mpg is not the best but over all the nitro is a great car

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  Great car - 2009 Dodge Caliber
  By Surfer boy - August 6 - 8:48 pm

  We love the Caliber SXT. It is like a small version of the Ford Edge. The CVT transmission is great. Good fuel economy and sporty. We looked at the Honda Fit and Nissan Versa. This car drives way better and feels like a car, not a toy. I would highly recommend the car. For the money, no one comes close to such a car. Best of all, it is American made in Illinois.

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  Fun , Fun, Fun! - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By bennydojo - August 6 - 2:35 pm

  I got mine brand spanking new, I can tell you other than a couple of warranty fixes early on it has been very reliable. This car is load of fun, when that turbo kicks in you better hold on tight to the steering wheel.

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  2005 Dodge Magnum RT - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By froggie doggie - August 6 - 10:00 am

  This is the finest, fastest vehicle I have ever owned. The Hemi delivers smooth, rapid acceleration and superior performance in all driving situations. The fuel economy for a Hemi powered vehicle is really amazing. I actually averaged 26.1 MPG on a trip. The only thing I dont like about it is the front end is too low to the ground resulting in the front lower clip hitting curbs sometimes when parking. Overall I would rate it as a 10. A very wise buy for the buyer looking for a great car with all the luxuries of many higher priced luxury cars.

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  SE RWD 2.7L - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Dog1952 - August 6 - 10:00 am

  I think this car is one of the best all around vehicles ever built. The 2.7 engine is a little under power but the rest of the car is perfect, lots of room for driver and passengers, with plenty of room in cargo area for golf clubs etc.

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  A great drive, A great car - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By amanda utrera - August 5 - 1:42 pm

  What a great drive. I traded in my 2004 jeep liberty renegade for something that gets better gas mileage and I was not disappointed. I get 32+ miles on the highways and 28+ city. The 2.7V6 gives me lots of passing power and the stain repellent seats are worth their weight in gold. I tell everyone I talk to that the Japanese cars have got nothing on this!!!!!

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  Black R/T AWD - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By Greg Di Maio - August 5 - 3:03 am

  Paint, fit and finish are excellent. The auto temperature system is one feature that we will always want in a car after driving this one. If the gas mileage was better it would be a five-star car. Well see how it is when it gets a few thousand miles on it.

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  LOVE my Avenger!!! No regrets! - 2009 Dodge Avenger
  By JMB*08 - August 4 - 10:39 pm

  I purchased my Avenger 2 months ago after a LONG search. I was a little worried about purchasing a Dodge but... Definitely no regrets! Great price. Avg 24 MPGs, nice smooth ride with lots of power even in my 4cyl engine. I find myself speeding a lot its so smooth. Lots of room in back seat. I have 3 boys ages 13, 15, and 8 and they all fit very comfortably. Big sized trunk...Im routinely carrying 3 baseball bags, 4 folding chairs and 2 handled cooler with extra room left. Comfy front seats, LOVE the Sirus radio. And you cant miss the exterior looks! The Avenger is fierce looking...great style!

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  I knew it! - 2001 Dodge Viper
  By viper crazy - August 4 - 5:15 pm

  I knew what I was getting when I bought it. For those of you who want a Vette dont buy a Viper. This car is fast, rude and no it doesnt get good gas mileage. I thank god for all of it. Its worth putting gas in every few miles. The looks on peoples faces are worth an academy award. The Corvettes Ive owned would hide in the corner when this car goes by. I am highly pleased with this beast. The gts-r wing and ground effects makes this ACR look like a hot wheels car. So if you are man or woman enough, buy one, and dont whine about the gas mileage or ride. My wife loves it.