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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  Awesome midsize SUV - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By Mike & Rebecca - June 3 - 8:30 am

  The Nitro is aggersively designed for the young and the young at heart. Dodge has taken the best of the other SUVs in the market like Jeep, Hummer, and Land Rrover and made it all Dodge. Its a very fun SUV to drive. Dodge has created a real head turner of a mid size SUV. Dodge has created a perfect SUV with the Nitro.

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  Grand Caravan Sport - 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By tdm - June 1 - 10:00 am

  Quiet,smooth ride with plenty of room for the kids. Has been extremely reliable with only a couple of minor problems. To date, 92,000 enjoyable miles. The front shocks started to squeak at 40,000 miles, but still function o.k. and are still on (with the occasional squeak). The clockspring coil pack was replaced at 84000. Each of the two transmission speed sensors out at 45000 and 55000. Total repairs (I did some of the work myself) is under $500. Not bad for a vehicle about to hit 100,000 and still drives like it was new!

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  I love my NEON! - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By brooke - June 1 - 10:00 am

  I reacently choose to get a Dodge Neon as my first car. I just turned 16 and bought a 2001 white dodge neon. I love it. I bought it because it was afforable and a nice looking car. It gets great gas milage. I love it!

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  Eye catcher - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By peteyspal - May 29 - 10:53 pm

  I first saw this car in a parking lot and drove strait to the Dodge dealership. Its the first "crossover" type vehicle that Ive seen that made me want to trade in my gas-guzzling suv. I get lots of positive comments on the exterior styling even though its the "base" model without all the spoilers and such. Handling is acceptable given the low end price and gas mileage is good as well. My 17 year old niece fell in love and sat in it for over an hour.Not bad considering the fact that Ive owned high-end SUVs for the past 10 years!

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  2002 Dodge Ram Conversion Van - 2002 Dodge Ram Wagon
  By C. Isaacson - May 29 - 10:00 am

  I have only had the van for about 2 weeks. So far so good. I chose to purchase the 5.2 Liter V8 over the 3.9 Liter V6. Glad I did. I also opted for a conversion van which offered some nice amenities. Dealershiop was offering 0% financing for 60 months and $10,000 dollars off.

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  Bad Transmission - 1998 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Darrell Young - May 26 - 10:00 am

  Its a sad that dodge cant seem to fix the transmission problems in there vans.When it hit 79000 miles the transmission went out, water pump, brake booster and master cyinder. Its a good thing that I purchase the extended warranty . I also would like to warn everyone that this year of van does not have a, Brake Shift Interlock this means that anyone can pull it into gear when the motor is running with out pushing on the Brake.Very,Very dangerous.

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  A Muscle Car for Everyone - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By BJSilver - May 26 - 10:00 am

  This is one SWEET machine. From the chopped & channeled look, to the large interior capacity, Dual Zone A/C, and heated seats. Tons of rear leg room, and wide 60/40 split seat. Yes people do stop and stare, and beep at you at stop lights and ask questions. Somebody though it was an Audi. But what sets it apart is the POWER. Step on the gas and Go!!!!

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  my magnum - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By cjtc1948 - May 26 - 10:00 am

  Ive had this car about a month now and I find driving to be a real pleasure again. This car is fun and easy to drive, with plenty of power when needed and also great gas mileage for it being a muscle car. There is plenty of storage in the rear and there is plenty of leg and head room. Im 6ft. 4inches and I have no problem whatsoever with head and leg room. I think this car is the ultimate in practicality combined with a beautiful design. I get the thumbs up sign wherever I go. I highly recommend this vehicle for the shear pleasure of driving!!!

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  Best Durango ever - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By JBJinc - May 26 - 10:00 am

  Hemi is great; interior layed out great much roomier than previous model. Video Ent. Sys well worth it and performs great. New chasis improves ride, handling and comfort over previous model 100%.

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  Very Impressed! - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By jrobichaud - May 26 - 10:00 am

  We spent a lot of time looking at Ford (explorer and expidition) and Chevy (trailblazer). The new 04 durango really impressed us with comfort, power (even with the 4.7 V8)! great interior room, dealers were great to work with, and the pricing came in significantly under even the smaller explorer and Trailblazer. Better warrentee, just pleased overall with the vehicle.