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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  Wow - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By chef - April 11 - 5:36 pm

  I bought my Avenger a month a go and LOVE it. It has V6 and lots of power, the interior is well designed, it rides great has 18 inch tires, sport suspension. Very sporty looking handles well hugs the road.

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  Questionable Workmanship - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By DICK TRIESCH - April 11 - 6:23 am

  While parked and unoccupied, the van shifted out of park on its own and coasted down into another parked car. Chrysler sent an inspector out who couldnt find anything wrong. They wont repair damage done to van in collision. They act like it never happened. Beware 08 van owners! Always set emergency brake when parked. Chryslers customer service is not very impressive. Well have to take them to small claims court for them to address the fact that it happened.

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  Dont Let Magnums Good Looks Fool You - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By nj - April 10 - 9:36 pm

  Bought my Magnum in June. Within 1500miles had to have the rotors replaced, they were defective. At 3000 miles the A/C was recalled and replaced. Now at 10,000 my transmission failed, started smoking, had to be towed, and it has to be replaced. Fantastic. Good thing I decided Id buy a new car instead of used, so Id avoid lots of time at the mechanics. Second Dodge Ive owned, and it will definitely be my last. Im considering contacting the major networks to do a story on the crappy quality of Chysler/Dodge products. Warning to the wise: they may look pretty, but dont get suckered in by a pretty face!!!

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  Charger Daytona R/T - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By TopBanana - April 9 - 8:06 pm

  The special edition Charger Daytona R/T is an absolute blast to drive! I have now logged more than 3000 miles on the car and am very happy to report that there have been zero items requiring warranty repair. The Edmunds reviews paint a good picture of the car and options, so Ill focus on the drivers experience: This is a large car --plenty of room on the inside that performs like a nimble sedan. I traded a 2001 BMW 330xi for this car and I am very pleased with the choice. The Charger is much more powerful, and it handles better! I can take familar curves at higher speeds and havent yet reached the performance limit of this car! Everything is the way it should be.

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  Great Reliable Vehicle - 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By LUVSit - April 9 - 2:20 pm

  I bought this van about 3 years ago. It was a certified pre-owned vehicle with about 45,000 miles on it. I must say it has been a great family hauler. It is very comfortable, and reliable. I never had to use the pre-owned warranty which took it to 80,000 miles. I currently have 102,000 troublefree miles on it. Chrysler/Dodge really is number one in mini-vans. I have only had to replace oil, battery and tires. I have the 3.8 litre engine which is quite powerful.

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  I love my Magnum - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By silk03199 - April 8 - 10:00 am

  I love my Magnum. Spacious, comfortable and its fun to drive. You wont believe the amount of attention youll receive! What a blow to my ego when I realized the men where gawking at my car and not me LOL.Ive had people stop me on the street and look it over. Please do yourself a favor if you are considering this car and "go for it". You wont be sorry!

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  Lots of Looks - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Sherri1961 - April 8 - 10:00 am

  I feel that DaimlerChrysler should be paying me for all the advertisement I provide to them. To clarify-- everywhere I go I find people staring and pointing at my car. If they catch me outside of it I am asked lots of questions about it and told what a nice looking car it is. I have had 3 new vehicles in my life and I have NEVER had this much attention for an automobile. I feel confident and secure in this car and LOVE to drive it. I guarantee you will also find this car fun and refreshing to drive.

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  Very Surprised - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By S. Cal Gal - April 8 - 10:00 am

  I rented this car on a recent trip and was very impressed overall, but not by the 2.7 Six cyl. My couriousity got the better of me and I test drove the Hemi. BIG MISTAKE. I was sold right there and then. I have had more attention with this car than I know what to do with. People follow me in stores and out to the parking lot asking to see the car. I feel like Im a spokesperson for the company. People wave me down at intersections and at gas stations inquiring about the car. I thought I would never own a station wagon, but as the saying goes, never say never. Plus the aggresive styling and suburb handling made the sale of this car a lot easier. Dodge did a great job!

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  a must have vehicle - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By jomboli - April 8 - 10:00 am

  you have to drive it to belive it. not your grandpas dodge. awesome vehicle to drive. turns heads every place i go. loves to driven fast and hard.

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  2005 dodge durango - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By ken reyburn - April 5 - 9:46 pm

  Good design. Lots of power .Fun to drive. Mileage not so good, but about as expected. More maneuverable than earlier Durango, even though it is larger.