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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  Love my Charger - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By DODGE RT - December 6 - 5:23 pm

  I have really enjoyed having the power of a hemi and still be able to get 24- 28 mpg. Charger R/T is really fun to drive and handles great!

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  Love my 2016 Charger purchased on 4/16/16! - 2016 Dodge Charger
  By Lisa Miller - December 6 - 12:16 pm

  I have been been interested in purchasing a Charger since 2015. Started reviewing them then and decided to wait for the 2016. I have a 2010 Ford Fusion (manual) that I really loved, too. Have had ZERO issues with my Fusion, but fell in love with the Charger. My husband found the exact match I was interested in, Jazz Pearl Blue, and we drover 2.5 hours in my Fusion to Barron Wisconsin. Love at first sight .. and once I got in to drive .. I knew it was a keeper. I also decided to KEEP my Ford Fusion, paid off and could not see giving away a quality car with no issues. However, since setting my butt in my Charger, I havent been in the Fusion. I have not been driving with a Navigation system, I have this now. Everything is easy to use, love the basic and simple look and feel. Steering wheel feels awesome. Lumbar on my back. I push a button to start. Cruise was easy to figure out. Still getting used to automatic (versus my manual in the Fusion) and loving the quick acceleration. Very happy I purchased this car!

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  I miss my van - 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By preacher_man_d - December 6 - 10:52 am

  If I hadn’t been hit two different times in one week and the insurance totaled it out, I would still be driving this van. I bought the van used in 2002. Yes, it had all the problems associated with Dodge vans – I replaced the transmission, the carpet under the passenger side stayed wet in the summer, etc. Many of the problems I was able to repair myself just by watching Youtube. Anyway, before I started driving with a “target” on my van, which caused me to be hit twice by two different people in one week (not my fault), I had just turned 234,000 miles! I will miss it.

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  Damm Fast Car - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By GOTNEON - December 6 - 10:00 am

  I am a previous 01 Neon R/T owner and decided to take the whole neon onwership to a new level. Loved my R/T and got use to a neons quirks/problems. From mile one on my SRT I noticed a dramatic increase in handling ability and most of all POWER. Holy Horses Batman!!!! this car has POWER... Been able to walk away from WRXs, STANG GTs, and new ZZZZs. And SRT can do this factory stock. Cant wait to add stage 3 (300hp/320TQ at wheels) and mess with VETs and Cobras. Ought to give them a good run.

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  Just got my Hemi Magnum! - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By MRSIX - December 6 - 10:00 am

  The car is an eyeful! From every angle you smile when you look at it. I selected the Black Metallic Pearl with every option except the trailer package. My first impression when I saw the car was astonishment with the unique stance and look. For a US carmaker, Dodge has definately outdone themselves. I have waited 18 months for this car to happen, and I am not disappointed. The car drives incredibly well at all speeds. Acceleration from a standing start is not stellar, but the car comes into its own when entering the on ramp, and from 60 to 100.

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  This is the car! - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By bigdaddyoc - December 6 - 10:00 am

  I can honestly say I love this car. Ive had mine for just over a week and 700 miles and have no complaints...ok well the gas gauge and my atm card might complain but all in the name of fun. For an all around daily driver with room to spare it doesnt get any better. It has the power and handling of a decent sports car, yet seats 5 comfortably with their luggage. So far Ive pushed the car pretty hard and it just keeps taking it. Be prepared for the 2nd set of tires..it will come soon!

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  The Best - 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By IMackid4 - December 4 - 10:00 am

  This van is the bst in the world. The power sliding doors and the rear hatch is so cool. Pepole look at the van when ever I open the gate or close it. It comes in handy when pepoles hands are full.

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  We LOVE it!! - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Mrs. Evans - December 3 - 1:00 pm

  This was our very first new vehicle, and boy are we delighted! Did lots of research before buying to decide between minivans; the quality for the price (Sienna and Odyssey didnt seem worth the extra $5-6 thousand for comparable models) and Stow n Go really won us over. Couldnt be happier with the interior roominess, comfy handling, intuitively placed controls, comfy seats, fabulous storage options and (we think) nice exterior styling. The gas mileage could be better, but isnt too bad once you get cruising; averages out OK. Has pretty responsive get-up-and- go for such a big vehicle (feels big compared to the Accord we used to drive!) All in all we couldnt be more pleased.

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  NO MAS! - 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By jedi651 - November 29 - 11:41 pm

  We tried to love it, but just couldnt deal with the dealer (white Bear lake, Mn) who guessed on every repaired needed. Long story short, we bought the van used. clean carfax. great the first week. second week was a disaster. van would die 3-5 times daily was exiting the hwy. while operating at 30mph the van would become very sluggish, then die when coming to a stop. replaced spark plugs, MAP sensor, throttle body didnt change a thing. brought in to the dealer to figure it out. diagnosed that the WIN module was faulty and needed to be replaced.(not part of the recall) asked why its sluggish, dealer didnt know. finally just gave up and traded it in for a Honda. People be advised, stay away!

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  Fun to drive/looks great too - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By lwri72 - November 29 - 5:53 am

  I love my 2007 Caliber. It looks and drives great. The ride is not as smooth as my previous vehicle, a PT Cruiser, but that was to be expected. I also love the Sunburst Orange color and the orange inserts in the seats. All in all a fun car to drive.