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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  Consider the Avenger - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By Matt - April 12 - 12:10 pm

  After 5000 miles I can definitely say that the Avenger is a car worth buying. My R/T is sufficiently fast although not especially fuel efficient. I mean, 14 mpg is really below average (mostly city driving). Still, the car is a head turner, drives well, comes with AWD and is perfectly fine for the daily commute while still being relatively affordable. Seats have been updated (lucky for those of you who buy after July 07) and are significantly more comfortable. I recommend the car to anyone who wants to original, while still getting a good car. Reports say that the SXT and SE trims are not worth your money. The R/T is more well endorsed. Good Luck

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  Great Value/Design - 2008 Dodge Caliber
  By Patrick Schafer - April 12 - 11:46 am

  We looked at several hatchback models, and for the price, none can compare. VERY SATISFIED!!!

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  Solid small truck - 2002 Dodge Dakota
  By Bryan - April 12 - 11:27 am

  Bought this truck nearly 2 years ago. It has the big V8 and so far have been pleased. Spacious interior for small truck and convenient features. Only complaints are: rough shift into overdrive (worries me it may go out, but has been that way since I bought it and hasnt failed as of yet), and POOR, POOR, POOR fuel economy. This truck averages 13-14 MPG which is terrible for a truck this size. Dont know much about the smaller V8 but should have look into it. I bought this privately and got a great deal. I have recently bought a 22 travel trailer and the Dakota pulls it well. So far its everhying I wanted, with the exception of the large fuel bills.

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  Bought Used 6 years ago - 2002 Dodge Intrepid
  By radiumdial - April 11 - 11:02 pm

  Bought this car with 15,000 miles on it 6 years ago and still have not had any mechanical problems, regular maintenance and its running fine.

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  Love this truck - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By yes - April 11 - 10:20 am

  So far, its been excellent. Love the stability control, used it on ice in Idaho.

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  Pleasantly Surprised - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By Shawn - April 10 - 11:47 pm

  Bought The Durango With 19,000 Miles On It, Paid 17,500. We have taken it on a few long trips and have managed to get better than 25 mpg, which isnt that bad.Plenty of room for our family of 5, 3rd row seat is roomy and much easier to use than the ones on Expeditons or Tahoes. Love the interior, very quiet and the gauges are great. We were going to get a Tahoe, but drove this and felt we were getting better bang for our buck. If the price of gas is a worry, I wouldnt recommend it, but if you are looking for something w/ tons of room and a great 4 wheel drive system, I dont think you could go wrong with one of these.

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  good but not great - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By dodge charger r/t - April 10 - 10:51 am

  I started having trouble with the engine light coming on, then trouble with the trunk switch not working, but first was my front sway bar and my right tie rod, then my sun roof wouldnt work, got my sun roof to work, then my radio, shut the car off, for an hour, then everything worked except the trunk switch., now my outside temperature gauge doesnt work, and my compass, they dont know how too fix, this problem, I keep contacting the service department, but they dont call me back, Im done with Chrysler, even though I, love my charger, and that great power, I have Borla exhaust on my car, and it sounds great, except for the lifter, noise, come on Chrysler you can do much better than that, make quality, not quantity

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  Electrical Problems - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By C. Davison - April 9 - 10:36 pm

  I bought the SXT when it was a year old (with 13,000 mi.), it was joy at first. A few weeks ago the instrument cluster began to flicker (warning chime, ABS and sealtbelt lights briefly illuminate, and the flickering begins). I was told it was normal, and since then the headlights have begun to flicker. The van is in the shop for the 3rd time. The dealership has it until they are able to duplicate the problem, and hopefully fix the problem.

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  Jerking needs to stop - 2006 Dodge Stratus
  By Shawn Walker - April 9 - 8:16 pm

  I have problems with car. It wants to jerk when engaging gears. Other then that car is reliable and great to drive

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  Well? - 2001 Dodge Stratus
  By missreed - April 9 - 1:09 pm

  Well I purchase my car used in 2005 at 97,000 miles. One year after buying my car, I had to replace my transmission computer which cost around 450 including labor at a Dodge dealership. No huge problems since. Currently, I have a trans leak coming from shift shaft Im going to get fixed) also problems sometimes with rear defrost and Windows. Now car has 178,000 miles and running ok. I get my tunes ups and oil changes every 3-4000 miles. Im driving this car till the wheels fall off- cant afford another car payments! Body in good shape. All yeah, gas meter jumping up and down? Whats that about when I keep my car on full all the time?