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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  Very reliable and smooth ride - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By barnyr - November 14 - 2:40 pm

  We have owned this minivan for 3 years. It cost $10k less than similar Honda. No problems at all to date. Ride is very comfortable for driver and front passenger. Back seats are not comfortable but they are for kids, so who cares. Lots of space. Very pleased with this vehicle.

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  Brakes - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By Neon - November 14 - 11:53 am

  The brakes make such a noise - dealership and others say that this is way Neons are. Cannot be changed. Seems to me that if they can design other cars not to have this problem why they could not use the same technology to the Neon. Very unhappy with the car and such noisy brakes - and unhappy that the dealership and unhappy that Dodge/Chrysler seems ok with that. Also - know that the tank is only 10 gallons - always filling up.

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  Read the fine print - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By bluebutterfly - November 13 - 3:10 pm

  So it says it can go up to 32 mpg, think again. I know several owners and no one gets that on the highway. The cooler only works if you have the air on full blast so its useless in the winter or if you enjoy riding with the windows down. Already had a recall and had to have mine serviced within 3 months for rattling in the engine. Said I was getting Sirius radio for 1 yr. I havent gotten it one day and yes I called to have it hooked up. It is a great first car or car for younger people. But myself, husband and two kids are kind of cramped, especially in the front.

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  Nice Driver - Good Utility - 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By kaamom - November 13 - 10:00 am

  We purchased all available options. In hindsight, Id have skipped the additional cost of the auto stick. The gears shift automatically even when using the auto stick which negates the usefulness of the feature. The tow capacity is more than enough to tow mulch trailers and all U-Haul trailers with ease. The automatic door openers are useful with a young family, but weve already had to repair the door motors not under warranty (expensive). Overall - good personal space - smooth ride - good utility

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  fell in love when we test drove it - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By ROBS MAGNUM - November 13 - 10:00 am

  We went to test drive one. we were looking for a new vehicle for my wife as her intrepid was getting alot of miles on it.got in the black rt at the dealership feel in love with the car got back from the test drive and bought it for my wife and kids.now im going to get me one as my wife wont let me drive hers because i have a habit of smoking the tires which is very easy to do in the rt.this car is awesome its a must have vehicle just be prepared to answer alot of questions from people every time you stop

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  LOVE MY DURANGO - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By KENNY N - November 13 - 10:00 am

  This is my first SUV and I love it. Sorry I waited so long to buy one. It handles great and my wife loves it. The ride is so smooth and the engine (HEMI) is so responsive. It is so quick I have to be careful not to accelerate to fast. When I first drove it it scared me!! What a great SUV! I cannot say enough about it and everybody loves the way it looks. I almost bought a RAM 1500 Laramie. Boy am I glad I bought the Durango.

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  05 Durango - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By bailee - November 13 - 10:00 am

  Runs faster than a speeding bullet! Handles well and great ride for vehicle this size.

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  NICE TRUCK - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By JERRY P. - November 13 - 10:00 am

  WISH IT HAD A 5 SPEED TRAM

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  Still good at 2 years 4 months and 33.5k miles - 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By oregonfamily - November 10 - 5:41 pm

  Since our review a year ago, its mostly been great. The one issue was a second "clockspring" wiring harness in the steering column going bad early in the second year, right after the first had been replaced. Pretty sure that was because the dealer didnt install it right. At any rate, it was replaced and has been fine for over a year. Nothing else has gone wrong. All in all a very well thought out van. Our car history has been that around or before ten years of ownership some dipstick rear ends us at stop sign/light and the car is totaled. This is probably our last van and were hoping after the kids have left to make it a kayak hauler/camping van and drive till it wont go anymore.

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  The Dodge Nitro is good for Teens too - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By bill - November 8 - 8:16 am

  Im an 18 year old guy and got this for my birthday and I love this car. Its cool looking, smooth driving, nice for passengers, and my girlfriends all love it, oh and its fast and fun in the snow especially since i got the fourwheel drive model. I love them. I only think they should change the seat panel on the driver and passenger seat. Im six, four, three hundred pounds and I get caught on that plastic piece. Other than that its great!