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:

• 

  Durango 2004 - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By Satisfied customer - May 26 - 10:00 am

  Three (3) words: fun, smooth, and responsive

• 

  2007 Dodge Caliber - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By kass rider - May 25 - 3:56 am

  I really like the drivers seat as I have a bad back and it really is great. Also, the interior room is great and friends who have been in the car just really think it is great. The styling is also great.

• 

  Air Conditioning? - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Jeff Hicks - May 24 - 1:10 am

  This is my 8th Chrysler/Dodge vehicle and they seem to get worse as the competition gets better. This is the 4th van still driving the 1998 but the 2005 is a joke. Numerous issues and now it is the A/C that Chrysler is famous for. Talked with the dealer in St Charles ILL, rear evaporator is leaking but nothing can be done except cough up 700 to 900 dollars to fix. I expressed my disgust with the a/c units on their vehicles same issue on the 2002 that I had. His response was keeps me busy doesnt it. This is the type of attitude and quality that the Germans didnt know what to do with so they dumped the company and it will fail. No more Chryslers Ford Flex here I come

• 

  Get to know your Dodge mechanic... - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By kseebold - May 22 - 2:00 am

  I bouught my Durango new in 2001 and have been satisfied with the performance; however, the vehicle has been plagued with numerous malfunctions. Ive been back to the dealer for the following, # visits to correct problem in (), power window failure (1); speaker malfunction (3 - still not fixed); radiator fan thermocouple (1); front pass. seat rail (1); driver seat rail (1). It seems that the "fit and finish" could use a little work, but the styling and vehicle performance are fine. Look at the service record before you buy...

• 

  Awesome! - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Misaims - May 21 - 12:50 am

  This car rocks! I started drooling over the commercials and test drove about 3 different cars before buying. It was the best deciscion Ive made all year. The car handles and drives so smoothly. The stereo is fantastic - the speakers are so crisp. This car is comfortable, sleek and so fun to drive - I actually look forward to my commute. And it turns heads - I get stopped all the time. I would have no qualms about telling anyone to buy one.

• 

  04 durango best you can buy 05 better - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By foyman1 - May 20 - 10:00 am

  hemi v/8 enough said, fit & finish perfect, after selling fords & chevys for 35 years & dealing with my customers complaints, plus buying & dealing with many many trips to the warrantie [service] dept. it is indeed a pleasure to own a durango, my 1st was a 01 loaded durango slt, to harsh a ride, not as comfortable as I would like, what a treat the 04 is. the sound system is awsome, I ordered the upgrade 6 CD with sub-woofer, the transmission is so smooth you hardly ever notice it shift, other than poor mileage [all suvs] in this size get poor mileage, so why whine about it, I say get your hands on a new durango, 04 or 05 & be like my wife & I, just enjoy enjoy enjoy

• 

  Nice little car - 2013 Dodge Dart
  By Ray - May 19 - 10:54 am

  I bought this car new 8-14 and so far have put 10,000 miles on it, the only thing I have noticed with it is there is a turbo lag with it but it is only a split second, I get very good gas mileage with mid upper 30 range but I do use premium fuel regular fuel does not work well with this turbo engine, this little car has good get up an go,,it so far has been a good car

• 

  Amazing value with some uncertainties - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By jmjenn - May 18 - 7:33 pm

  Leap for the V6 and the AWD with performance suspension. You will not find a better value for towing, passenger capabilities and comfort with an AWD feature amongst any of its competitors. There is a glaring difference in the vehicle performance with either the 4-cyl or just the standard FWD/suspension unit. All around solid and have not had any significant quality or performance issues the first 3000 miles. V6 with AWD will now only be available on the 2010 R/Ts. Model will be cannibalized by upcoming Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee as they are heading into the CUV platform. As Iacocca used to say, "If you can find a better car, buy it".

• 

  Great - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Excellent - May 14 - 7:16 pm

  This is our 2nd Grand Caravan and we are loving it, especially the Sirius radio and navigation. Everything about this car is great. The Special Edition is awesome. Comfortable, great performance, luxurious and quiet ride. Stow and Go seats are a plus. We almost bought the Nissan and are glad we didnt. The seats are completely hidden. No more pulling them out and storing. Highly recommended. Has less air bags offered, but we dont have kids, so that was a non issue. Great value, price was right for the value.

• 

  Whistling - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Rachel - May 14 - 10:06 am

  I love this car except for when I reach about 65-70 mph it make this weird whistling noise I took it in and its still making the noise I dont think the dealership knows what it is! Does anyone know?