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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  Bad Buy - 2009 Dodge Caliber
  By Lakrisha Davidson - April 20 - 4:30 am

  I bought my Caliber used in 2016 and it was a total lemon. The dealer was a complete scam artist. My car had no horn, bad brakes and struts, and stained ceilings and seats. I regret the decision to buy that car still to this day. My car was constantly in the shop. I put my car in the shop a day later from me buying it and it cost me $700 to get it out. Then I had to get the brakes changed which cost me $900 the first time and had to take it about 2 more times. I had to get the things that help the belt move changed and once when I was driving on the highway the front hood popped open. My A/C never worked fully plus it sucked up all the gas. My check engine light was on when i first bought it for a electrical problem no one could fix. My wires were wrapped in duct tape. My heater never worked so I froze during the winter. The only pro to this car was the trunk was spacious and the back seats let down.

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  AMAZING CAR - 2015 Dodge Charger
  By benji smith - April 19 - 7:32 pm

  I love this car, it has 19000 miles on it and it is running strong, the only bad this is that i warped my rotors but that is my fault lol. The gas millage car be awful but when you get on the interstate i get 32 miles to the gallon! I had to give the car to my mom because of multiple speeding tickets and was tired of paying fines. I love the car will defiantly get another one when i get out of the military.

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  Solid Van, Great Value - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By plmn - April 19 - 2:36 pm

  I bought this van about one year ago. It replaces a 2001 Honda Civic, which was not all that reliable. It was a great value. For the same money, a Toyota or Honda would have been twice as old and had at least twice the miles. Does that really make sense? As someone who as owned Honda and Toyota, I say no. So far, reliability has been great. A corroded battery cable, not unusual for that mileage, has been the only problem. Fuel mileage is good considering its size and it is a great road vehicle. Dont care for the 2nd row Stow and Go. Storage is nice but the seats are not very comfortable for adults. Build quality is just OK but as a whole, this van works pretty well.

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  Awesome little Srt4 - 2008 Dodge Caliber
  By David D. - April 19 - 10:33 am

  I was looking for a small economical, fast, good looking car. I read about it on magazines and saw it @ the LA Auto Show, I felt like I already owned one before I bought one. It was exactly what I hoped for the first time I drove it. For a little 4 banger its really fast, the 5th day I had it I was waiting at a red light, next to me was a mustang cobra...Yup a cobra! Guess who won by 5 whole cars, YUP ME! left the mustang smoking... NO LIE! you can see the video on U tube.

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  Road Runner & Barrels of Fun - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Earl Gray - April 19 - 10:00 am

  Some say it has cheap interior but its as good as any other car at the price and it will burn the doors off of its competition and will give the big guns a run for their money and in fact will beat a lot of the ones that is supposed to be so hot and cost five times as much. Its a KICK IN THE SEAT!

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  great car - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By blueall1 - April 19 - 10:00 am

  Havent owed the car for long but since Ive had it its been great. Never owed a Dodge before and I wiil never again own anything else.

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  better than a vibe - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By rastus2 - April 19 - 8:33 am

  Planned to get another Vibe. Not when I saw this Caliber. Love all the options and at a much lower price than the Vibe. Even got heated seats. Got things you cant even get on a Vibe. So many more safety features too. Really get looks when driving it. This is not just a car for the twentysomethings.

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  Charger SRT8 Modern Muscle Car - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By RussL - April 19 - 1:26 am

  When I sold my 73 Challenger in June of 2005, I thought that was the last time I would ever feel the power of a stroked big block V8, I was wrong. This SRT8 is equal in quickness and greatly exceeds the top end speed of the 73 500" Challenger. Plus its practical. Having a wife and two children under 4 makes this an ideal family car. To be honest, my wife drives it more than I do. She loves the power. Driving on two lane highways can be a pain if you dont have the torque to get your vehicle through the passing window of time. SRT will not let you down!

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  Hope the new ones are better than 09 - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By tess - April 17 - 3:26 pm

  Needed to replace a tire and it was the biggest pain to find one. Needed all new tires after 2 years @ $250 apiece. The thing that squirts windshield wiper fluid out broke - twice. The stick that holds up the hood broke off right away. Both visor mirror covers broke off. Brakes needed replacing. All within 2 years! Crummiest new car experience ever.

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  Trannie problems - 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Dan - April 17 - 10:00 am

  Drives nice and very comfortable ride but loaded with lots of nasty surprises. Gone thru 3 serpentine belts and tentensioners. Wipers will turn on for no reason and the trannie is jerking a lot now....ready to replace the trannie very soon. A common known problem for these vehicles....Will never buy chrysler products again!!!! DG