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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  2006 Dakota 4.7 V8 Q-Cab 4WD SLT w/upgrd - 2006 Dodge Dakota
  By Mike - November 11 - 2:00 am

  I just purchased a 2006 Dakota with 21,000 miles on it in great condition. I needed something that can tow in the future, but not a big truck. It only had 4-5,000 miles per year prior to purchase. It rides much better than I thought and has plenty of room inside. I prefer the plastic look everyone seems to hate, but its easier to clean. I recently got 24 mpg highway and get about 18 city. This is great for a truck. I am very happy I got a Dakota with 21,000 and not a Frontier or Tacoma with 100,000. They are priced too high. Tailgate is not heavy like others say, better get back to the gym.

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  Plum Crazy ovr this SRT8 - 2010 Dodge Challenger
  By Doug Young - November 11 - 2:00 am

  Purchased the Plum Crazy in the 6 speed with all options, added the cold air intake, tinted the window. What an awesome car! Have gotten 26 mpg on the interstate, but averages about 22 to 23. Has the power when you need it and/ or just want to show people what can do. Have won a few people choice trophies at car shows. Comparing this to other MOPARS that I have owned, this is the greatest! The car handles great, is comfortable, and the navigation system is easy to use.

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  Great mid-size pickup, virtually unique - 1999 Dodge Dakota
  By lphilpot - November 10 - 2:00 am

  At 117+K miles, its still completely trustworthy (17 city, 20+ highway with a 3.9L V6). Ive done the usual scheduled maintenance and replaced a few things along the way (water pump, power steering hose, idle motor, battery, filters, serp belt, shocks, etc.), but nothing extreme. The biggest one was to replace a couple of creaking factory front suspension links with zerk-equipped aftermarket units. The shift profile of the auto tranny IMO upshifts too quickly for the V6, impacting acceleration if youre not familiar with its behavior. Its fine in the flatland, but in hills (particularly on cruise), it downshifts a lot, sometimes drastically. All in all though, I still like it a lot.

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  Lemon - 2006 Dodge Caravan
  By fedupowner - November 10 - 2:00 am

  This car should be called the Dodge Random everything simply works randomly. Doors, windows, locks, engine - you never know from day to day when things will work. Expensive repairs to make them work are only temporary. Scary to roll a window down not knowing if you will ever get it up, or even if the van will start. Many many problems with this van - please do not invest your money here!

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  Reliability - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By Katrina - November 10 - 2:00 am

  I bought my 2004 Durango in 2005. I now have 81,000 miles and I havent had any major problems. Ive only replaced the battery and brakes. I drive 50 miles each day and I love the smooth ride and reliability. The Infinity sound system is impressive! I can seat 7 people comfortably. The only negative thing is the poor gas mileage.

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  Love It! - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By Melissa - November 9 - 2:00 am

  Granted I have only had the Dodge Avenger R/T for a week, but I love it. I have not had any problems with it and it rides awesome. Very smooth and quiet. I bought this car from the auction and it was not in selling condition, a couple hundred bucks and its a good as new. Dont base your car decisions on a couple bad reviews. My avenger already has 60k mi and it is still running like a champ!

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  Best Truck Ive Owned - 1998 Dodge Dakota
  By Chris - November 8 - 2:00 am

  Bought this truck from my father in late 2002. Had it until I sold it in Summer of 2009. It had 218,000 miles on it when I sold and was still running great. Never had to do more than change the brakes, tires and oil. Started to rust a bit at the end, but that was expected.

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  Very Nice Car - 2010 Dodge Caliber
  By Bill - November 8 - 2:00 am

  This is the most inexpensive car for all of the standard equipment you get.

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  Tin Can - 2010 Dodge Journey
  By IHATEDODGE - November 8 - 2:00 am

  This car is a Tin Can. I wished I had read ALL of the reviews before I purchased it. Bad Brakes, Starting problems, CD player does not work. Have to take off Antenna for radio to work properly. Tire sensor broken. All around failure! Help me Toyota!

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  2 Words: Amazing Machine! - 2009 Dodge Charger
  By Sean - November 8 - 2:00 am

  The car actually looks like a sports car and all that, but the fact i realized after purchasing this car was, this could be an everyday sedan as well as the car which gives you the grin after you race that kid in the honda or nissan or mustang! Its spacious, load stuff in, go on long trips, go off road (Desert), seriously lets see a mustang or camaro do this. 5.7l V8 is simply crazy and on the freeway the fuel consumption is nothing! You want that car which keeps your wife happy because you look like a family man or that car which will make you happy because it makes you wanna go dukes of hazard? Well buddy its the DODGE Charger R/T!