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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  It doesnt get any better... - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By 98neonrt - May 31 - 8:05 pm

  Trading in my 2008 Caliber R/T AWD for this beautiful peice of Muscle was the best thing I have ever done. This car has everything...Power, comfort, looks, reliability, and FUN! My girl is a Hemi Orange, 6 speed manual with stripes. We turn heads everywhere we go. I work at a large retailer, and customers actually ask who owns the car and seek me out to tell me they love it:) (& are usually surprised Im female) Ive had no issues with the car during the 1st 3500 miles. I get about 17mpg in town and about 21mpg on highway trips. The trunk is huge, and the extra spot where the spare tire would be is very useful to store small items (like her own little vacuum)out of sight with no rattling.

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  Love the Challenger - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By matt - May 29 - 10:47 am

  I have always owned Mustangs ever since high school and boy did that change when I saw the new Challenger. I had just got a 2004 Cobra the car of my dreams, or so I thought. One thing I never really cared for was that Mustangs were so small and had no room for family, they also rode a little ruff after a while, definitly not a dailey driver or for road trips. We went to the dealership and they had one left, they wanteed 42, but I talked them down to 34, wich is good considering I live in Cali. My wife was hesitent but after we took it to Oregon to break it in, she fell in love with it. As much as it weighs, this thing is still fast, and so smooth at the same time. Such a head turner.

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  Fun to drive - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By Gatorphin - May 29 - 2:00 am

  Just bought a 2004 Dodge Durango 5.7 L Hemi limited model in a graphite color w/ leather. Very nice. Handles raod well. Boy does it have power! 335HP. Sucks down gas. About 11 mpg in city. DVD player is a must with small kids, I never hear them anymore. Incredible turning radius for a big SUV. Sits very high. 4 inches higher tham old Durango & 11 inches longer. Great SUV!

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  Nice Ride and Powerful - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By Durango04 - May 29 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I looked at nine different SUVs before we discovered the new Durango. We would never have considered the earlier design of the Durango as it was too small but when we test drove this one, we fell in love with it. It handles very well, the transmission is smooth and the suspension gives a comfortable ride. We chose the SLT and upgraded to leather with the hot sound system and of course the HEMI. If you are going to buy this vehicle dont waste your time on the 4.7l or the 6 cylinder...youll be happy that you went with the HEMI.

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  Dodge Salesreps Review - 2007 Dodge Magnum
  By Louis in Louisiana - May 28 - 8:46 pm

  I worked @ the dealership for 14mos. and drove all models available from SE to SRT. The 2.7L V6 in the SE just isnt powerful enough for a 4000 lb car, especially in steep climbs, and it dosent have ESP like the SXT and higher models. I purchased my SXT, because the 3.5 L V6 has a very good track record of reliability and I could not afford the RT at the time. If you can afford the RT, GET IT instead of the SXT! If you cant, the SXT has most of the base features the RT has, including the 5 speed autostick trans. Use a high grade motor oil, I use CASTROL GTX or SYNTEC and have noticed an increased gas mileage of almost 5 mi./ gal. Some recalls exist, get them executed ASAP! Nice car!

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  Economic & Roomy - 2009 Dodge Caliber
  By Jose R. Garcia - May 28 - 6:52 pm

  Our car performs extremely well since the first day. We have not had to worry about the cars reliability at all. The car drives safely and smoothly. Owning this vehicle has been a pleasant experience overall.

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  Love the Intrepid - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By tinamichele - May 28 - 10:00 am

  This is a great car, fun to drive. It handles well in high traffic cities. Very safe car! I was involved in an accident recently (was rear-ended) and my car came out looking much better than the one that hit me. I love my Intrepid!

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  Fun Fun Fun - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By JBR - May 28 - 10:00 am

  I bought my 2002 Caffe Latte R/T because of the heritage that comes with the R/T badge. Realizing of course it is not of the same true muscle car blood of the 60s and 70s . The styling is what got my attention first, then the options that came along. My R/T has all the options. I am 6 ft. two inches tall and found it to be rather difficult to get use to at first as I also own a Ram 1500 SWB SLT 1500. BUT for what it is I find this car to be worth the money and tons of fun to drive on any highway here in North Florida. The performance I must say , is nothing like the 340 Dusters or 6pack Cudas. But quick and responsive for a V/6 . I

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  muscle with attitude - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By john webb - May 27 - 8:53 am

  If you want a car that can blow by a mustang on the highway with ease. If you want a angry muscle car to put those lame import owners with there silly racing pipes to shame. Get this car! The only problem is the my cars blood lust to destroy every car in its path. haahaahaa

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  Awesome SUV - 2008 Dodge Nitro
  By Akazm - May 26 - 9:39 pm

  I recently purchased a Dodge Nitro and so far I love it. Its MPG isnt great but it is a SUV, what do you expect? The look is awesome, great interior space, so many features, smooth and quiet ride, fun to drive. It can comfortably seat big men. The interior material is perfectly fine. For the price, it is worth every penny in my opinion.