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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  What fun - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By jose1951 - July 17 - 5:50 pm

  Best car I have ever owned. Turns heads. Fun to drive and very useful. The RT city gas mileage isnt great, but coming from a large SUV, its just as good or better. If I could afford it I would get rid of my other car and buy another one just like it.

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  best car ever - 1996 Dodge Stratus
  By first time dodge car - July 17 - 3:05 pm

  I have had this car for over 13 years, and I hate parting with it. It has been very reliable, but, since I am getting older, and my knee joints ache, I will have to part with it for a vehicle that has higher seats, such as an SUV. However, if they were still making them, I would buy another one in a second.

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  2009 Dodge Caliber SXT 2.0 CVT - 2009 Dodge Caliber
  By Dodge Man - July 16 - 3:55 pm

  All I can say about this car is that it has everything you need and more and for 2009 they have really cut down on wind and engine noise from 2007 and for 2010 they are getting a new interior.

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  love the car - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By LOVE IT - July 16 - 6:58 am

  i bought this car in May 2008 and have had for 14 months now. i have 34,000 miles on the car with a longgg commute to work and have never had a problem (knock on wood). yes i have the 4 cyl, but you cant beat the gas mileage. one of the comments above said that they got compliments on their car. i get the SAME thing. everyone loves the look of the car. take care of the routine maintenance and you shouldnt have any problems.

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  Awsome - 2003 Dodge Durango
  By roger - July 15 - 10:47 am

  Bought my Durango in March 07. It only had 49000 miles, it now has 64000 miles. good power and reliability, i drove from MD to PA on several occasions the ride was very comfortable. drove cross country from MD to KS towing a nissan PU and the towing and power were excellent. the best SUV i have driven. better then the ford and chevy lines. the MPG is something to be disered about 12.5 to 13 miles to gallon, but i knew this when i bought it. the body still is tough looking but also classy. best SUV out there.

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  This Caliber Rocks! - 2009 Dodge Caliber
  By Bullrun - July 13 - 2:15 pm

  Ill say it right away... getting 33MPG and car is only two weeks old - 5 speed manual. 60% Hwy / 40% City Driving. Ride is comfortable. Bumps in road jolt the car, but not too bad. Quiet ride for type of car. Road noise is average Id say. Toys inside are fun. GPS/MyGig unit is great. Downloading music is simple. Steering Wheel controls are great! UConnect bluetooth is the best! Car looks great with all the angles and wheels. Speakers are great. Pretty loud, no distortion. Handles well on corners. Headlights are nice and bright. Engine is quiet. Nav works great with real time traffic info.

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  First Muscle Car Owner - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By Scott Caldwell - July 13 - 9:12 am

  The 2009 Dodge Challenger SRT8 is an absolute BEAST!!! I was first drawn to the Challenger by its incredible retro- styling. The broad sholders and intimidating front grill (much different from any other Dodge grill pattern) just made this car stand out and grab your attention. Although the car looks great, what really sold me on the car was the way it drove. Once I sat behind the wheel and drove the SRT8 (with the 6 speed manual transmission) I was simply blown away. The car growled and rumbled with sheer power and accelerated like nothing I have ever driven before. The 6.1 Hemi with the 6 spd transmission convinced me that I would enjoy the Challenger for years to come.

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  my everything vehicle - 2007 Dodge Dakota
  By wendall wilson - July 11 - 7:32 pm

  Ive bought it 2 years ago,new off lot and love it.I live in country on old farm.fun to drive and handles great.got the 4.7v8,will smoke the tires(not reccomended)Looks good&comfortable.only trouble was bad tierods,covered under warranty.2 position tailgate lets me load anything I could with big truck.Gas milage not best,Have not tried flex fuel yet.should have got posi rearend.in 2wheel drive(in heavy rain) it gets loose easily.only paid 22000 new,with bedliner

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  Better than my Honda - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By KB - July 11 - 4:03 am

  Replaced a 2001 Oddysey with only 88,000 miles; needed a new tranny, power door motor, water pump, EGR valve, brake drums (again) Our Grand Caravan drives nicer than the Honda did when it was new. I drive it whenever I can (my wife never wants to part with it). 2,500 miles and not a single problem. The van feels solid and safe, great acceleration; bumps do not intrude into the cabin, yet it handles great. Plastics are not sub-standard; theyre designed to handle "kid-abuse", which they do. If you are the market for a minivan, do not overlook this awesome vehicle.

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  08 Durango - 2008 Dodge Durango
  By McKinneyMike - July 10 - 2:37 pm

  I traded my Avalanche and got a 2008 Durango. So far great SUV, very comfortable and alot of room for the kids. Easy to drive, and the rear AC is the best Ive had in any vehilce. Im averaging alittle over 17mpgs in the city. Took a long trip and averaged 19.8mpgs. Only thing thats concering is the traction and control in the rain, could be the tires but more likely because the vehilce is up higher then most and so seems to effect the control. Overall I would recommend this SUV in anyone.