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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  Simply stellar - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By reggie - July 2 - 5:33 pm

  This car is unbelievable! With a 6.1L, I assumed gas mileage would be on the low side, but I am so taken aback by the car itself I feel it is a PLEASURE to burn fuel. If I put on Metallicas FUEL behind the wheel I can barely keep it below 65 MPH (which does not even require fourth, or fifth gear). It rides at a smooth 2200 RPMs at 75 MPH!!! I am flabbergasted it is a DODGE...

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  Awesome car - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Art G. - July 1 - 11:03 am

  We went to buy a new Grand Caravan and I looked at the Magnum. My wife didnt care for it, but I told her to drive it to see how it handled. That was it. She loved it and I must say it is without a doubt the best car I have ever owned. Handling, ride, power, comfort on long trips. We travel to Florida for the winter and fuel mileage was as quoted. Now have 8,000 miles on it, no problems except for two bad tires.

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  Smile Induction - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By MMELVIN - June 30 - 10:03 am

  I LOVE this car! Everyday when I drive to and from work, this car makes me SMILE...I get tons of looks (and several .."that thing gotta Hemi?"). It is comfortable inside and menacing outside. I love the engine and the brakes (hate the brake dust - tho). I had my brother-in-law, who has done paint and body work for 25 years, check the car out before I purchased it...and he said it was the best fit and finish he has seen on a domestic auto...period! Kudos to Dodge for cranking up the Chargers Smiles per hour!

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  Caliber 1 - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By J Saucier - June 30 - 1:00 am

  I have enjoyed driving the Caliber. I like the smooth take off of the transmission. No Jerks. The ride is comfortable. The radio and CD have excellent sound and control. I like that if you have taken your key out from the iginition for so many seconds, you can still close the windows.

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  Daytona R/T - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By OMAR - June 29 - 7:40 am

  The best toy Ive purchased in years. I have as much fun driving this as my Porsche. It is also big enough to lug the whole family around. If youre looking for the compromise of size, cost, mileage, and fun-to-drive, Dodge Charger R/T Daytona is it. When you drive it, it feels much smaller that it actually is and cylinder deactivation does give the advertised gas mileage.

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  Not HAPPY With My Journey! - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By gd1234 - June 23 - 12:13 pm

  Have only had the car 4 days and the engine light has been on twice, going in the shop for the second time! Makes a noise and the car vibrates between 40 and 45 mph. I am concerned that I have bought a LEMON! Only 4 days and going in the shop again and they dont know whats wrong! I should have never bought this car! Buyers beware!

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  Long live the muscle car. - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Paul - June 23 - 2:46 am

  My previous car was coming off of lease in 3 days and I need to pick a new car. I spent the better part of three months searching, but I kept coming back to the Charger R/T. The aggressive look and of course the Hemi had a strong draw for me. In addition to that, I liked the considerable amount of room in the cabin. Oh, and did I mention the Hemi? There are a lot of quality cars out there, but when it came to leg room (front and back), power, and stunning looks, the Charger just could not be beat.

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  for the price cant beat it - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By michael siegenthaler - June 23 - 2:00 am

  I have had my car a year now and as of yet i have no complaints. It is the best car i have ever had.

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  Why this car was built by Dodge - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By seekingrapunzel - June 23 - 2:00 am

  I have about 3500 miles now on my SRT4. Here is what I have to say about it. All the reviews I ever see about this car seem to usually miss the point of what this car is for. Its for FUN! Lets remember this when "experts" claim that it has a rough ride or when they complain about the "noise" the exhaust makes. Thats the core of why this car is here. Fun car for a VERY reasonable price for what you get. How many other cars do you know of that can spank most "sports cars" that cost twice as much? Not many. Drive this car and expect it for what its for and you will never be disappointed.

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  Transmission problems - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By mcltk - June 21 - 1:33 pm

  Ive had my 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan for 18mo. Ive been without my van for over ten weeks because of multiple problems. In fact it has been in the shop for over seven weeks because they cannot find parts to repair the transmission that has gone out for the second time. Great quality Dodge! Do yourself a favor and never look at a dodge or chrysler product ever. Oh yea, its not their fault that they cannot get the parts to repair my van. Its the suppliers fault. They probably wont make them for dodge anymore because they were just screwed by them with the recent bankrupcy.