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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  Nice Car - 2013 Dodge Challenger
  By Christian Caldwell - July 5 - 7:40 am

  Strongly consider your options as to whether or not you want to purchase and SXT, R/T, SRT, SCAT PACK, etc. As o could see how you might want more power after driving the ACT if you are a car enthusiasts. I love the car, and considering the fact that I am in college and on a budget the SXT fit my budget. Still great performance out of the 5.7 Liter V6. Fun car, and definitely speaking to the eye. You wont be dissapointed. I cant speak to much to the reliability because I have only owned a month. If you go for the ACT you may want to do as I did and replace your head unit for a better entertainmenr experience. I like the fact that the challenger is for the most part easy to customize.

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  Annoying problems - 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By golferjohn - July 2 - 10:00 am

  Was generally satisfied with car except for repairs outside of warranty which included driver side window motor, heater coil to rear heater rupture

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  3rd Best Decision I Have Made - 2016 Dodge Charger
  By Kelly M. - July 1 - 5:39 am

  I am 39 years old. I asked my wife to marry me. We had out daughter. Now I own a Hellcat. So many things to say. The outside to most people looks like a suburban grocery-getter, until you slam the pedal and scare the living crap out of anyone in the 2 block radius (including my wife in the passenger seat.) This car puts a huge smile on my face everytime I accelerate. Feeling down, stressed out? Drive a Hellcat and you will be giggling like a school girl. Seriously. The inside is clean, the information system works great, and it doesnt look like a stupid European car with an iPad taped to the top of the dash. Plan on buying new tires after about 1000miles. This car will make a smoke cloud so big the fire dept. will probably get called. In conclusion, put your phone down, stop looking at other cars, SUVs, mom/dad-mobiles and go buy a Hellcat. It will change your life.

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  My new car - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By linda - June 30 - 7:36 pm

  I only suggest that the inside is a little to compact. I fele squished driving. The back seat cup holders should retract in and out so a third person can sit in the back. I love the car just need a little more room. Although it is a compact car it is so great on gas. I love that. I did experience a trouble time. It only happened once, but I had my headlights on and when I turned my turn signals on the whole head lights turned completely off. When the turn signals were off the lights came on. I also, when driving that night, when heat and radio were on the whole console got extremely hot to touch. Just a fluke but scary. Yes lights were on, not daytime runnng lites. Great car though!

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  Minivan Lover - 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By DadOf5 - June 29 - 6:33 pm

  Bought van used with 40k on it and an orig. sticker of $32,900 Gave $15,000 for it used. Go Dodge ! For some reason I still love this van. I guess because you can haul the world in it. Problems include A/C clutch bearing went bad, cant get a new bearing so we need whole new compressor. 900 bucks. Power rear lift and driver side sliding door have minds of their own. Infinity stereo e.q. has short do not move it or else! After a run up in the N. Georgia Mts the tranny isnt the same. It groans and whines like its on its last leg. That was 15k ago and its still coming back for more. When the engine is cranked after sitting overnight this van sounds like a Deere not Dodge. Van now has 91K.

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  Great to drive - 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Daren - June 28 - 6:16 am

  This van has a 3.3L/E85. Wish it had the bigger motor, but it does not come with the E85. This van as a lot of toys on it. DVD, MyGiG, Sirius radio. Took our first trip with it. Kids loved the dvd plater, mom and dad had the sirius radio on. This has back up camera on it. It also has the ESP on it. Great in the snow. It comes with a speed stick. Could not resist Dodges 0% financing and employing pricing and other rebates. Bought a $29k for $16k. Last van was a merc with a 4.3L, had more power.

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  It is a Minivan - 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By objectivejoe - June 23 - 7:51 am

  So far, a reliable and powerful vehicle.

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  Great Vehicle - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By Jeff - June 22 - 11:10 pm

  I bought my Avenger a few weeks ago. I have a Durango and the mileage and fuel costs were hurting me. I kept my Durango because I love my truck and bought the Avenger for work during the week because of the mileage factor. This is a great car that is giving me an average of 28.9 miles a gallon. I would recommend this car to anybody, especially if you are looking for fuel economy with gas prices heading towards 4.00 dollars + a gallon. Im a Chrysler guy and this is worth the investment.

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  My rt - 2017 Dodge Charger
  By Luis - June 21 - 9:08 pm

  Pure fun to drive need to drive more

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  Love this car! - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By John - June 19 - 10:56 pm

  This car is so much fun to drive and gets comments from young an old alike. Sure it looks a bit strange, but that is part of its appeal. It is very comfortable on the road and extremely quiet