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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  Perfect for us - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By Blake from Houston - January 5 - 2:00 am

  Durango Limited Hemi is perfect blend of luxury and toughness. My wife and I drove everything in this class and the mid-size class. This was perfect size for us...not too big and not too small. We were replacing a 5-series BMW, so I was planning on a more painful transition. But we have about 6,500 miles on it now, and I have no regrets. In my opinion the Durango is better than the Expedition (nice interior but underpowered) or the Tahoe (nice power but dull interior), and the European and Japanese offerings just didnt cut it.

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  5 star car - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By grayseabring - January 3 - 3:43 pm

  A bit choppy for ride and a bit top heavy. Slow uptake but fun to drive. Lots of interest and questions from prospective buyers. I tell them all I would buy another.

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  Less than two weeks - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By dwash24 - January 3 - 10:00 am

  I bought my durango and drove it home from the dealership and noticed a check guage light come. Oil pressure guage and new oil pump were replaced. It took 6 days to get problem square away. drove the vehicle for 4 days and it would not crank. this time alternator. Of course Im disgusted for owning a suv for 2 weeks and have only driven it for 4 days. to top it all off three of the speakers were shot during my four day drive.

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  5th times the charm! - 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By SFR - January 3 - 6:20 am

  This is our 5th Chrysler minivan in 10 years. Have to warm up to the exterior, the last generations lines were much nicer. The interior more than makes up for it. Comfortable seats, controls in the right spot. Wanted the 3.8 and 6A but didnt want to pay the big bucks. Got what we wanted with the Hero. Miss the power sliders, but saved about $2200.00. We like the tightness of the suspension, a little stiffer than the last one. Not crazy about the gas mileage, but the 6A seems to rev higher in gears 1 to 3. All in all we are happy with this van and probably will keep it longer than the previous four!

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  Bit dissapointed - 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Larry - January 2 - 10:20 pm

  After only 65,000 km (40,000 mi) it uses 2 liters of oil between changes! Chrysler service mgr. told me I was checking it wrong! Then said that if it were using that much oil, you wouldnt be able to see behind the car for smoke! Then he said it is common for a car to use a liter every 1000 km! All this in a 5 minute conversation! The head light module has been replaced, as have most of the front end components. Seats are uncomfortable and suspension is mushy! Have already done first brake job! Guess I shouldnt compare it to my 1996 with 323,000 km (200,000 miles)! Thank god I didnt trade it! At least I have 1 good car! Also the /06 only gives 19 to 20 mpg as compared to the /96 at 28 mpg.

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  Good Start But.... - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By MkHitech - January 2 - 9:26 pm

  We have the SXT with the 2.7L flex fuel engine. Rides far better on Michigans roads than our Accord did. Interior design is also better. Unfortunately the interior has too much cheap, hard, and gray plastic. Its also slower than our 2001 Stratus ES with the same engine, and gets 5 MPG less. Somehow Dodge has made this engine sound like it came from a bread truck instead of the nice exhaust sound on the Stratus and smooth acceleration. The Avenger seems to "fight" its way up to speed. We have the upgraded seats and even those are awful. No comfort at all and they squeak like crazy. Like the looks, love the design, but needs better quality, MPG, and be put on a diet. Close, but no cigar.

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  Beats? Upgrade? - 2018 Dodge Durango
  By Butch - January 2 - 9:29 am

  Beats being the upgrade in THIS vehicle? Disgusting ! $76000 ? Would have probably have bought it if it had the Harmon Kardon. Bought a Hellcat with Harmon Kardon at another Dealer, sight unseen ! Very Happy !

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  Alot of bang for any buck - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Quick - December 31 - 10:00 am

  Well-rounded performance, period! Handling is very good. Brakes are excellent! Vicious power! Good-looking interior (except the door plastic). Zero defects. No squeaks or rattles on my car! Only the Mach 1, WRX(& STI), and EVO provide similar, but less "bang for the buck". Then you need to move into the $45,000 range to equal or surpass performance. The Mustang Cobra is around $38,000, but the stock handling and brakes are no better (maybe worse). Dodge does not advertise this car. Not many on the road where I live. Only "gear-heads" know about the car. Therefore, strangely exclusive.

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  Love my Magnum!!! - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Todd Brown - December 31 - 10:00 am

  I absolutely love this car,walked into the dealer turned the corner and stopped. Told my wife thats my car right there. Major head turner,EVERYONE stares,we live in Arizona and there are very few on the road. Questions from most people,what is that?,are they expensive?,Can I look inside?,I didnt know it came with six cylinder,etc. Perfect ride.

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  Magnum R/T - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Mike Zuro - December 31 - 10:00 am

  The R/T handles like my old Trans-Am. The ESP works great without the driver knowing it. The interior is very quiet and standard features available on the R/T are plenty.