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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  A decent people mover and ultility vehicle - 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By b3200 - June 5 - 9:20 am

  Drives great, poor gas mileage (16-19mpg. The engine is great. At 60,000, failure of side door electric motor, and air conditioner compressor. I am happy for the extended warranty from 1source warranty. Future consideration would be not to buy this vehicle considering a Honda Odyssey. What I wish on this vehicle is an intermittent horn which would actually work. Otherwise, I am happy with the workmanship on this vehicle.

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  Pleasure to Drive - 2008 Dodge Caliber
  By chefpearman - June 4 - 11:48 pm

  I was looking to trade my Truck for a fuel efficient car, but I did not want to pay a lot, nor did I want to have an ugly car, so I was pleasantly surprised with the sporty look of my Caliber SE Plus. In Addition it is getting great gas Mileage, I am averaging around 28 to 30 miles per gallon. I strongly recommend this car if you are looking to save money with out sacrificing a fun ride.

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  my first dodge - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By miguel - June 4 - 11:08 pm

  Very quiet, with new rotor-and brakes, I know I am good for the next 40,000 miles, next challenge what about oil, will burn more?

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  Easy to work on, and great gas mileage - 1998 Dodge Neon
  By maw96usa - June 4 - 3:51 am

  I bought this car for its gas mileage abilities and I have not been let down. Ive been getting around 32-34mpg in town and 38-41mpg on the hwy. I drove it from Colorado Springs, Colorado to Bakersfield, California for less than $90.00 with gas at $3.50 a gallon. As a home mechanic I also appreciate how easy the car is to work on. At 150k miles I really went through the engine and replaced the timing belt, water pump, oil pan gasket, power steering pump, valve cover gasket set, thermostat, and it was all really easy to get to with out much trouble at all. I tell friends and family that if I get another car itll be another Neon!!!

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  Love this Car! - 2007 Dodge Magnum
  By MuslMag - June 3 - 12:18 am

  I bought a used 07 after renting an 08. Mine is 3.5L RWD, Inferno Red Pearl. BEE...UTIFUL!!! All leather and great stock stereo. Lots of space for my 3 tall teens. Awesome styling, very different from anything out there. A modern muscle car regardless of engine size. Joined a Magnum owners club last night and cant wait to cruise with all you Muscle Mag owners out there!

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  Solid Performer - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By Scott D - June 2 - 8:27 pm

  Primary vehicle purchased to pull a 6,000 boat. Comfortably hauls 6 people plus gear and the hemi pulls the boat well. Fun to drive. This vehicle has character and Id buy another one.

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  Whats up with the E brake?? - 2008 Dodge Nitro
  By Flaming Mona - June 2 - 6:57 pm

  I have over 10K miles on my Nitro. It has been into service twice because parking brake doesnt hold. Returned to me without fix, service tech said it is "self adjusting" and would self adjust if I came to full stop when in reverse and before shifting into drive. Have been doing this but no resolution to problem. Also, when reversing from parked mode it will freeze not reverse until I punch the gas pedal (safe, eh?). Service tech said because brake pads (disks?) stick together when I apply parking brake after driving due to hot metal and told me not to use the parking brake if I dont like the phenomenon. WHAT! Owners manual says to always use parking brake! Final note: gas mileage sucks.

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  2008 Grand Caravan SXT - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By joseph gramlich - June 1 - 4:26 pm

  It was either this or a Honda Odyssey, it had more bells and whistles, so I purchased it. happy so far, nice standard features, see below for improvements though and time will tell of its quality and relability. Drive it and compare to a Honda if you want a minivan.

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  Good car for the money - 2000 Dodge Stratus
  By alexander_clinger - June 1 - 12:29 pm

  My wife and I have had this car for about three and a half years now, and weve really had no major problems with it. It gets good gas mileage for a V6 and gets you where you want to go in a hurry. The only problem that weve had has been the air conditioning, but hey, the windows roll down with no trouble at all. Also the drivers side door courtesy light switch stopped working, but thats also a cheap fix (about 7 dollars for parts). My wifes been in a couple accidents in it, and after being fixed it is still just as reliable as when we first got it. Its a great car, but Im ready for something a little bigger, because the family is growing.

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  Lasted 8 Years - bought in 2000 - 2008 - 1993 Dodge Dynasty
  By Chrysler Dynasty km - May 31 - 8:48 pm

  Routine repairs & good commuter car. (Dont let this scare you I had this car a long time) Rusted on hood and roof after 5 years owned. Wish it had lumbar support, my knees were higher than my hips causing an occasional stiff hip (Im under 30 years old). With a lumbar pillow not bad. It had good pickup before the transmission started slipping the last year owned. Lasted on a few road trips without problems, but a week later the car usually made me pay. The tires would wear quickly and went thru 4 batteries. Ive seen plenty of these cars around town so they must be pretty affordable and somewhat reliable. Towards the end of its life it had to be jumped if sat longer than 3 days