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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  The 1999 Dodge Intrepid is a piece of junk. - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By bubbaman42 - January 29 - 8:02 am

  The intrepid was o k at first but after it got a few thousand miles it started having a lot of trouble.The 2.7 motor is too weak for this car and gives a lot of problems.We had to replace the motor at about 80,000 miles.I am just glad we had a warranty.After that the computer was going out.Sometimes the intrepid would die going down the road and not start for about 10 minutes.One trip it died on me 10 times within a 70 mile trip.A mechanic said a computer for it would be around $1000.00.To me the intrepid was not worth that.The heater fan only worked on high.Some of the windows would not go down.All I can say is the Intrepid was my firdt and last Dodge.

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  Great Vehicle So Far - 2002 Dodge Durango
  By meathead1986 - January 25 - 10:41 am

  Bought the Vehicle with about 120,000 on it and have had it for almost a year now. Fuel consumption is on the low side for an SUV but bearable in the fact that I havent yet gotten stuck in the ND snow that tends to pile up around here. Having a 3rd row helps ALOT with 3 kids and the ride quality is the best ive experience so far in a REAL SUV. It is a little noisy when youre standing outside with it running but inside you can talk normally without yelling while youre cruising down the highway at 75 and Ive only done regular maintenance on mine and its had nothing go wrong to date. only complaint is that with the 3rd row up there isnt much room left for cargo in the back...

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  MOPAR OR NO CAR! - 2011 Dodge Avenger
  By malibubandit81 - January 24 - 11:03 pm

  I wanted a 2010 AWD 3.5 Charger but couldnt find one...I considered waiting for the 11 Chargers but they arent making an AWD model with the Pentastar V6 and I cant afford the Hemi price. Then 2 idenitically optioned 11 Avenger Lux models show up at my favorite Mopar dealership. Didnt even know Dodge was building them yet! I test drove one and quickly fell in love with the new Pentastar V6. Next thing I know, ive had the car for exactly a week now and I couldnt be any happier! Redesigned body looks great, drives like a million bucks, interior is wicked comfortable, I recommend the new V6 Avenger to EVERYONE!

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  The Best Full Size Automobile in America - 2011 Dodge Charger
  By 1atomic - January 22 - 8:05 pm

  Im the very happy owner of a powerful new V8 Charger. The V6 test driven was perfect, but we opted for a Hemi powered R/T to gain AWD. The quality is by far the best in North America. We tested many new 11 autos & narrowed our choice between a Charger & 11 Durango. The materials are of high quality, the ride-handling combinations perfectly balanced. We are an Acura & Honda family but added this Dodge to show the country & Chrysler our support. The Chargers on par w/ our 10 Accord Crosstour, yet a totally different car. Both excel in their respective categories. A compliment to Chrysler Co. If enormous power & AWD are not needed, the new V6 should please everyone. Test drive both 1st.

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  Dynamic Dodge: A Fan is Born! - 2011 Dodge Durango
  By 1atomic - January 22 - 7:29 pm

  Im a new fan of Chrysler & Dodge after this recent purchase. The very best 4X4 out there. Incredible on boulevard or back road. As a former Cadillac Escalade owner, I saved over 20 grand for an even better SUV. Nearly bought a Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland, but waited for the Durango to gain extra seating capacity & cargo room. Elected the 5.7 liter Hemi V8 w/ AWD edition in Citadel trim. Loads of creature comforts as standard w/ few options at extremely reasonable prices. Absolutely no unsightly panel gaps. The new 11 is superior to everything in its class. I am pleased to have ordered my Durango w/ every option & all available packages - not possible w/ a Range Rover, Cadillac or Lincoln.

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  Great value - 2001 Dodge Durango
  By vtsnowman - January 22 - 6:44 pm

  I paid $7200 for my 01 Durango 3 years ago with about 80K miles it now has 146K and is getting me through another Vermont winter like a CHAMP. Sure, the mileage is atrocious -- I average 12.6 -- and it isnt the smoothest ride around, but the V8 has serious punch (still!) and with the 3rd row seat I can haul a mess of kids around. Ive had to have some repairs -- the worst being $900 to get the heat working down on my feet (kind of essential up here) -- but this thing owes me nothing.

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  Nickies Nitro: I Luv My Truk! - 2008 Dodge Nitro
  By gabroad - January 16 - 2:43 pm

  Bought my used Nitro 6 months ago and still in love with it. I drive alot have already added 22k miles and its still going strong. Though not too pleased with the quality of the cloth interior (seats will pick up water stains) I threw on some seat covers and kept it movin... Plan to invest in new seat coverings this summer. Overall, I am very happy with my truck and love its sporty look, spacious interior, easy handling and fair gas mileage.

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  Beware of the oil change - 2010 Dodge Charger
  By uwe1 - January 11 - 7:17 pm

  I had a 2006 SRT 8 for 27 months. Nothing really to complain about, the power is awesome! Just be aware that if you lease, Chrysler makes you come to the dealership every 3,000 miles or 3 months (which ever occurs first) for an oil change. And this baby needs a lot of oil, I usually spent > $100.

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  Like this car - 2005 Dodge Caravan
  By evelynp - January 10 - 7:59 am

  This is our 6th Caravan. We ordered it because of the stow away seat feature. Other requirements included leather seats. It has performed well for us with very little upkeep. My children borrow it all the time for hauling purposes and we have no complaints.

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  A Great Car for its Time - 1990 Dodge Dynasty
  By hobbles - January 9 - 8:34 pm

  I got this car used and the odometer was stuck at 86k miles so im not sure exactly how many miles were on it but I would say over 150k more than likely. I loved this car but the age of it started getting to me around my second year of driving it. The only problems was that the a/c quit on me which sucks in Florida and the shocks were in need of some attention, and the nail in the coffin for it was that the tranny quit and it was time to get a new car after the second year. I am drawn to this cars exterior for some reason it just looks great to me and I loved this ones color (champagne) the most. I would have kept this car as long as it ran if I got it 10 years ago but its to old now.