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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  Nitro Glycerin - 2011 Dodge Nitro
  By sjs63 - May 6 - 7:27 pm

  Purchased March 2011, Put performance Chip and K&N filter and not only got much better Performance, but also a increase of over 5 MPG over 22-23 MPG on highway, was getting about 16 MPG. Handles great, tight suspension, can haul heavy payload with very little sway. I love it

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  Electrical Issues - 2011 Dodge Charger
  By emejia - May 5 - 11:20 am

  i purchased my vehicle on 3/11/11 and on 4/9/11 i have to get vehicl towed because all of my lights started to flash they said my PCM (power control module) was defected it took weeks for the dealer to get the part mind you the passenger door handle is defected as well i finally picked up my car on 4/26/11 was excited but had to take it back the next day because my headlights would not turn on almost a month later the dealer is telling me they need to replace the BCM (body control module) which is the computer of the car i have called dodge/chrysler customer assiatant and they are no help i am now filing a lemon law and see what happens from there

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  My Second Charger - 2011 Dodge Charger
  By donr872 - May 2 - 11:17 am

  This in my second Charger R/T. I love wheat theyve done to this car. Essentially theyve gone back to the drawing board and a new car has evolved. This car turns heads everywhere I go. I have the R/T Rallye plus, fuel milage is excellent for a car that has nearly 400 hp. I get approx 20mpg in mixed driving. I really like the eco icon on the info cluster that allows you to know when youre in fuel savings mode.

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  2011 R/T AWD MAX = AWESOME - 2011 Dodge Charger
  By dleininger - May 2 - 5:44 am

  I was in the market for a fun performance oriented car with room in the back for a carseat or 2. This Charger has more than exceeded my expectations. I test drove and looked at others, and nothing in the market right now can compare or compete. Im blown away by all the features everytime I drive it. I would put this Dodge Charger up there against any M3, S63AMG, etc. The features are that good. Id HIGHLY recommend getting the R/T MAX bundle so you dont miss out on any goodies. I get the more expensive Red paint color (worth it) with the Red leather interior (get it). This is BY FAR the BEST car Ive ever had. My wife LOVES it, kids love it, and so does every guy on my street LOL.

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  Great car for great value - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By rj45 - April 25 - 9:04 pm

  This was my first car and I didnt buy it too long ago. Has 84,000 miles and in good condition! Only cost me $4,500. Also came with a fresh set of tires. The car is an overall very good buy. It rides smoothly and has that "low" feeling. There is a limited amount of body roll while turning due to a stiffer suspension. Even though its a coupe, the back seat is rather large and very comfortable. The trunk space is also pretty large, it managed to fit over $160 worth of groceries. Though the car is cheap, reliable, and sporty, the build quality isnt spot on. The front and rear bumper is made of cheap plastic, which is a little flimsy. The dashboard is rubber and bulges out when hot.

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  dodge journey 2011 rt - 2011 Dodge Journey
  By bobo28 - April 25 - 10:58 am

  three days after i bought this journey battery went dead the car wont start i have the same problem the screen wipers everything just started to go on and off. thier must be some kind of short or electrical problem in the car

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  Doesnt work well with kids car seats. - 2011 Dodge Durango
  By hglkrl - April 25 - 6:41 am

  Bought it last week without the wifes input. Always a mistake. With two car seats installed the third row seat is inaccessible. I should have bought the Acadia with more flexible seating. The car is fun to drive. Interior is very nicely done. Garmin navigation works very well. Electronics are awesome. Adaptive cruise control and ventilated seats are something I never cared about. But once you use them you will love them. Blind-spot avoidance works well. I bought the V8 with a tow package because they didnt have a white V6 on the lot with the tow package. Another mistake. The V6 is just fine and has 30% better mileage than the V8. Expensive Mistake to get the 8.

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  Best Vehicle Ive ever owned - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By daboyds - April 24 - 4:41 pm

  I ordered my 2004 Durango while stationed overseas in Germany. It was shipped to me there from the U.S., and we used it for 2 years traveling all over Europe. We then shipped it back to the U.S. and then to Australia where we used it in the middle of the Australian Outback with the extreme heat, red dirt and dust. Weve recently moved back to the U.S. again and we still have our Durango and have never had any issues with it at all. Matter of fact, weve only had it in the shop for routine maintenance. This vehicle has been from the cold in Russia/Europe to the heat of the Australian Outback with out any issues at all. We just LOVE it it!!!

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  Decent at first - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By threemopars - April 23 - 1:51 pm

  Decent little car at first but now with 60K miles on it, its becoming a nightmare. Weve had to replace (under extended warranty): Radiator (it blew mixing trans fluid and coolant together), transmission, 2 transmission solenoid packs, lower control arm bushings, radio, motor mount, coil pack, fuel pump, rear wheel cylinders and now something is clunking and popping in the front end....again.

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  **WARNING DONT PURCHASE A Lemon!!** - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By snlewis - April 21 - 7:49 pm

  I purchased this Journey 6/6/08. Ive never owned a vehicle with more problems! Delivery miles 145 8/6/08 Replace 1 tire=$120.00 Rear body panel popping off 1/29 13K Rotors glazed & visor vanity broken 3/28 17K Rotors & front pads Replaced 6/16 20K Steering wheel replaced, peeling 7/14 23K Rear pads 12/1 33K Passenger seat belt Broke Wheel locks R the wrong ones-installed by the dealership! 2 tires $346.80 Alignment $99.95 Front Brakes $318.00 Throttle body & combustion chamber flush $230.95 6/9 42K will not start 6/15 will not start 10/5 48K Engine Isolator Broken 12/1/10 52K rear brakes Replaced Radiator 4/20/11 Wont start AGAIN and stopped running in the middle of an intersection.