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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  good car for the money - 1997 Dodge Stratus
  By jeremy - June 17 - 7:33 am

  got the car with 90,0000 but a timeing belt in at 120,0000 and but a water pump at 245,000 and the car now has 260,000 and is still running strong with the origanal moter and tranny car is fun to drive and good on gas

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  Love my B5 Challenger! - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By djpatrick35 - June 16 - 12:11 pm

  Over the years, Ive owned three Corvettes and while I loved those cars, nothing compares to the Challenger. As a 20-something driving an 07 Corvette, most of the attention I was getting was negative whereas the Challenger gets nothing but positive attention. The car is plenty fast for its size and the interior is large and comfortable. At 66" few cars can fit me, but the Challenger is very comfortable and I can actually fit three people with me - something I couldnt say with a Camaro or Mustang. The shifts are a little long and the skip-shift, while annoying, is something Im already used to with my Corvettes Tremec 6-Speed. Overall, I love the look, the character, and speed of my SRT.

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  I love my Avenger - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By smitgerty - June 15 - 2:35 pm

  Ive owned my 2008 avenger for 9 months now and I have not had a problem with her. In fact, the avenger is such a looker, Ive actually had several strangers stop and compliment the car. How fun is that?

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  Love this vehicle - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Joeslo - June 14 - 4:03 am

  I love this vehicle. I took it on a weekend trip last weekend and it performed flawless. I was a little worried about the 4 cyl. but it had all the power I needed. The seating was very comfortable. The radio was the best I ever had. The milage was a little disapointing ( 21 mpg ). But I was climbing some steep hills.

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  IN A CLASS ALL ITS OWN - 2009 Dodge Caliber
  By shelli59 - June 13 - 11:55 am

  I purchased my Caliber only 3 weeks ago. I bought the car on the spur of the moment, and am happy to say it was an excellent choice. Compared to other cars in its class, it is comfortably roomy and has good acceleration. And Ive been getting 30+ mpg, driving both city and highway! If you can love a car, then Ive met my soul mate.

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  Improvement - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By BMustang - June 13 - 9:16 am

  The 2005 Durango is much improved. I owned a fully loaded 1999 Durango and I was very disatisfied with all aspects of the vehicle--If I didnt purchase the extended warranty, I would have spent over $7000 in repairs. Apparently Dodge recognized the earlier Durangos design/performance/reliabilty problems and successfully redesigned the Durango to meet customer satisfaction. The 2005 Durango, with HEMI, is a steal. The ride, comfort, performance, and handeling are unmatched for the price.

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  2nd Amazing Neon, still have the first ! - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By Dodge Man - June 12 - 7:44 pm

  Absolutely excellent little car. 20,000 miles so far, w/o a hitch. 30 city/37 hwy with 5 speed. Id never own an automatic anything! I own a 95 model, purchased new in April of 94. Still going strong with 115,000 miles.... I take very good care of my equipment and it lasts.

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  amazing little car - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By dodge man - June 12 - 7:25 pm

  This car was purchased new. It now has 115,000 miles on it, virtually trouble free. Original plugs, brakes and hoses sill in place. All belts replaced at 70,000 miles. The a/c compressor bearing went out at 12 years and approx. 98,000 miles. Thats it for breakage. The car was ordered with Sport Suspension and handles like a sports car. Ive had it up to 125 mph and it had more to go.... Fuel mileage is still a consistent 30mpg city/42 hwy. since break in, stick shift of course(after the first 10,000 miles). What truly amazes me are the mutts who buy one of these with a ton of miles, put on by someone who abuses the car, and than complain about all the problems they are having.

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  Miles of Smiles - 2008 Dodge Challenger
  By shorma00 - June 12 - 6:53 am

  I have to say I have driven muscle cars all my life. Never has there been a time I have driven a car that is powerful, comfortable, reliable and such a social stigma around all walks of the general population. I believe it lets many of us older boomers relieve our young adult childhood. The new Challenger SRT8 is everything I could ask for and then some. I never got 20 miles to the gallon on the hiway with my old 1970 Cuda and I must say there is no way to measure the comfort and reliabilty comparing the two. If you have a chance to even test drive an SRT8, Just Do It!!!!!!!!!!

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  From Mercedes to a Dodge - 2009 Dodge Avenger
  By Vengance - June 11 - 9:47 pm

  I have owned a dozen Mercedes,and still have 2. The one I drove most is a 4.5L V8 SL. I went on a new car shopping weekend, determined for another Mercedes. Some how ended up liking the looks of the Avenger. Took a test drive, actually 3, at 3 different dealers. Fell in LOVE. I dont know if others who wrote reviews bought earlier in the year, but mine was made a month before I bought it. Performance is phenominal! I found my self speeding,ALOT. Coming from a V8 I am impressed. It is a 4cylinder mind you and only 2.4L. Mine has the VVT engine, could be the difference. Interior and trunk space HUGE. Edmunds is wrong on "MY" Avenger. Electronics and kid friendliness AWESOME!Sports car/mini van