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:

• 

  Love my 05 Hemi Limited - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By airbearma - August 1 - 10:36 pm

  Bought an 05 Limited with Hemi, GPS, Moonroof, Sirius, U-Connect, traction control, bun warmers, skid plate, mopar tubular stepups, and towing. I absolutely love it so far. Getting 16+ mpg so far. This is the quietest, smoothest, most comfortable SUV Ive ever owned. The serious grunt of the Hemi is like the cherry on the top of everything.

• 

  Cushy Riding Sleek Best Deal - 2009 Dodge Caliber
  By jonwest - August 1 - 6:40 pm

  I selected the Caliber SXT a/t w/2.0 CVT. I drove 4 models over two months. The total rebates motivated me to buy, plus my shiny Red Caliber was a minimum of 20% less compared to competitors models which would have fit my wants and needs. It has plenty of power for my mountainous terrain. Its quick enough to pass others safely on two lane roads. At 25 to 45 it provides a comfortable stress free ride. Its smooth, even "cushy." Same applies when driving at 70 mph on busy interstate highways. It fits a lot of gear: boxes, cases, stuff, amps, guitars, keyboards, drums, even an upright bass! My wife also likes driving it.

• 

  Magnum Keeps on Rolling - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Commuter - July 31 - 5:33 pm

  My All Wheel Drive V6 Magnum SXT is coming up on 59,000 miles and has averaged over 21 mpg. It accelerates like a small V8 (with no wheel spin) and goes through rain, snow and anything else on my 45 mile one way commute. Tracking is excellent--and improved with my only major expense, a new set of Goodyear Comfortred tires at 34,000 miles replacing the original Continentals (which quickly cupped and wore and provided a rough ride). My only other expenses have been oil changes and turning the two front brake rotors at 49,000 miles to eliminate a minor shudder when braking. This is a great car pool vehicle, with plenty of seating and storage room for everyone.

• 

  Why did they discontinue the Neon? - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By Dodge Man! - July 31 - 4:10 pm

  I bought this car new when the 2004 were coming out. Got a great deal from the dealership in Gurnee, Illinois. The car has been very reliable with regular maintenance. I have 145,000 miles on it and just got it paid off last year. I use this as a commuter car and I have a newer family car Subaru, Tribeca for longer trips. I plan on driving the Neon until the wheels fall off for commuting 65 miles one way to work. I was going to have the timing belt changed at 100000 miles but I was told it didnt need to be replaced. Only major repair was the clutch at 90000 miles for 800 bucks.

• 

  My new car - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By MS. BEE - July 30 - 2:40 pm

  I love this car its fun to drive. I love the cooler thats in the passenger side. I also like the sound system in the car. The only thing is the gas - it doesnt hold gas. But overall the car is great

• 

  What a wonderful car! - 2009 Dodge Caliber
  By ejman - July 30 - 10:48 am

  I purchased after test driving the Scion XD, Nissan versa, Nissan Cube, KIA Soul, Chevrolet HHR. The Caliber is a far more substantial car, not "tiny" feeling at all. I got the 1.8 engine with the 5 speed manual transmission. What an outstanding combination. The car feels wonderful, corners really flat with great handling. Just took it out yesterday to the coast on a really windy hilly road. Great passing ability, pulls up just fine on hills. (Also 35+ MPG). It hit 111 yesterday, the AC works just great no problem at all keeping up with that heat on next to the lowest setting on the AC.

• 

  Surprisingly Great Little Car - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By Luann - July 30 - 9:13 am

  I bought this car because it was a super clean, low-mileage trade-in at the dealership. It fit my budget and commuting needs. This car corners well and has good giddy-up when I need to excel to get onto the freeway or pass another car. It turns on a dime so parking is a breeze. Great stereo sound is a plus. I love this car! The reading lamps are great too, housed within the rear-view mirror, like those a lot!

• 

  Best SUV - 1998 Dodge Durango
  By Rob - July 30 - 5:35 am

  I have owned three Dodge Durangos and they have always been dependable and fun to drive. My 98 Durango has 237,000 miles on it. I do not plan on getting rid of it any time soon. I own a 2008 Dodge Durango also and love both of them.

• 

  Love it - 2009 Dodge Avenger
  By Bobc - July 29 - 2:43 pm

  Not sure why Edmunds slammed this car so bad??? I Love it! I test drove the Malibu and then the Avenger, and liked it better. It is roomer, just as smooth a ride, and had a little more pickup to it. Plus the Malibu still has the Grampa car look to it, but not the Avenger. Awesome sound system!

• 

  Durango!! - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By gtbdevs - July 29 - 10:00 am

  The Durango drives great, excellent power, quiet, very comfortable. Good build quality.