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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  Lovin my muscle car - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Gina - September 15 - 10:40 am

  The Dodge Daytona RT Top Banana, in color is so awesome! I am lovin the way it handles, the ride is great too. The front seats are so comfy, the way they comform to your body makes for a comfortable ride. I am lovin the stereo system, I love the way I can control the sound system from the steering wheel with the slight touch of a button.

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  Jesss Charger - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By jessica - September 15 - 10:06 am

  I love the power of my car. I love the design. Everyone thinks I am driving a luxury car, but I wished that I would have waited and got the SRT8

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  My Brand New Dodge Charge went up in flames - 2015 Dodge Charger
  By Margarita Amini - September 11 - 10:00 pm

  Park my car, went to have lunch, when I heard a customer say: Theres a car on fire. Turns out It was mine. I can see through the window of the restaurant white smoke, then flames. I ran to try to salvage my belongings but it was to late. When the fire was turned off my fire department there was nothing left of my brand new Dodge Charger. This car was my second Charger Ive purchased. Its an amazing car. I took care of it like it was my baby. Having it details monthly and serviced accordingly with the dealer. What happened, we still dont know. Why? Im just grateful that I, or my children where not in the car when this happened. Not to mentioned that I parked it in my garage all the time with just a few feet away from my living room. It could have been worst. What happens next? Will this be covered under warranty? Not even a year old.

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  2007 Nitro SXT 4wd - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By tony - September 11 - 4:03 pm

  Use the car for work up and down the south shore of long island, so far so good. In and out of the car twelve times a day, so far no problems to report. Handles well, once you get up to highway speed vehicle seems quiet and smooth, but I do mostly street driving. Im 61" and 240 lbs and its comfortable to me. With the seat back, there is a ton of leg room for driver seems little less for passenger.

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  Bought used, works well - 2001 Dodge Durango
  By uppermidwest - September 11 - 12:27 pm

  01 Durango with 4WD is my all-year get-around in MPLS. Bought with 145k, now at 154k. Its an older car and I dont know the service history, but its running okay despite many small needs. 4WD works well, trans is still good, and it has to crank a bit to start but runs fine. Pretty reliable, only stranded me once when the alternator went. I did fix a few small things myself. At this age with some miles on her, she has a $400 problem about every six months. This is basically a rental fee for the car and I dont mind it too bad, the price was right. So far its been tires (regular wear and tear), TPS (cheap fix you can DIY), Crank Position Sensor (replaced twice, dont know how it went bad in 6 months, also DIY but tricky), front brakes (not unusual for a heavy, heavy vehicle), alternator (plus wire fix on loom at the connector), and just last week a rear brake seal. Interior okay, its aged pretty well. Couple rust spots (midwestern car, no big deal). Burns about a quart of oil every month. AC works okay, I dont really need it up here. Heat could be better, but is sufficient. Starts okay on MN winter mornings, let her warm up and shell run fine.

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  BEWARE OF THE DODGE CARAVAN - 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By tickpilot - September 11 - 10:00 am

  I bought this van brand new from a dealer, hoping to have a reliable vehicle for a few years, but boy was I suprised! I have had nothing but trouble from this van including, but not limited to: 1. The head gasket needed to be replaced 2. The master cylinder has been replaced 3 times 3. The front and rear brakes, including calipers, wheel bearings, rotors, pads, shoes have been replaced multiple times 4. The transmission has needed major work, and multiple sensors needed to be replaced as well. 5. The main computer module needed to be replaced. 6. Last week, the engine blew.(65K miles)

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  2013 Dodge Dart SXT / RALLYE - 2013 Dodge Dart
  By Julian - September 9 - 4:20 am

  I bought my dart in 2014 used and absolutely love it. I have had some mini problems with it but i got them fixed by the warranty and all is good. I think that they could have made the speakers better i have a blown one in the left back door. However, i am glad that i purchased the dart when i did because now the new dodge dart sxt/rallye is cheaper now.

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  young again my first car was a 1970 Challenger - 2013 Dodge Challenger
  By Carldbrownjr@comcast.net Brown jr - September 8 - 5:06 pm

  this car has come a long way since my 70 both have 6 cylinder motors but the new 1has a lot more power and the doors dont rattle of all the new cars it the closest to the original one mine is fully loaded which is part of the reasons I gave high reviews

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  Converted my wife - 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By xxjjoxx - September 8 - 1:04 am

  My wife was 110% anti Minivan. I did so hard selling over the years to the mpg benefits as well as the comfort and convienences of a van. We purchased a 2011 grand caravan crew with the rear entertainment package. Our five year old daughter and my 10 and 11 year old nieces are in love. The most u here is can u start a movie. The comfort and refinement in the driver seat helps you forget u r driving a minivan.

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  Disappointed - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By joe R - September 7 - 11:36 pm

  After all the hoopla about needing to buy "American" I bought a Dodge grand caravan. I first took possession of a v4. Could barely get it home. No pep at all. Had to move up to v6. The price moved by $15,000. Within 5 months had to replace brakes and rotors in front. It seems Dodge used inferior quality brakes. Now Ive been replacing them every 12-15k miles. Ive already replaced the front end ball bearings and the rear bearings. The dealer actually replaced the front twice. It seems the first was defective. Been driving for 40 years and never had to replace bearings in my life. Now I have to replace an air-cond. Hose. Have to wait 4-6 weeks for the part. 4 to 6 weeks for a hose? Is this America