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 Blast From The Past - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Adele Skubic - May 8 - 9:53 pm

  This is a fun car. It reminds me of the 1968 Charger I drove in my 20s. I love the way it sounds and the way it handles and manuvers. I feel like a kid in the candy store. It is really a comfortable car. I put the spoiler on the back and chrome wheels. I get so many compliments on this car. I got the gun metal gray one. I was hoping it would have come in burgundy. My 68 was that color. I think if you keep creating cars with style instead of some companys making cookie cutter cars you will ahead of the game. I think the muscle car era was great, you could just look at the vehicle and know right away what it was. They had distinction not like many of the cars today.

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  Great Value, Great Family Car - 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By mrjustin24 - May 7 - 3:00 am

  I purchased it used as a 1 owner car. It took me a while to come around to being a man in a van. However, hauling the kids or lumber from Lowes this thing did it all. I was thoroughly impressed the cargo space and the versatility and ease of the folding seats. I never once had a reliability issue with it. The vehicle worked flawlessly the entire time I owned it. I easily got 27mpg on the highway despite the 25mpg rating. The only reason I dont still drive it is because my wifes Ford Taurus X was falling apart to the tune of $2K with only 70K miles on it. We had to trade in my Caravan with her car to make up the amount we were upside down in the Taurus X.

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  satisfied - 2002 Dodge Caravan
  By tom - May 6 - 11:03 pm

  My transmision died the day crysler declared bankrupsy. 100,000ml/7 year warranty was still in force. Today I picked up my van with a new transmision, 3 yr, 100,000 mile warranty. I am satisfied crysler did me right when I bought it and is still doing me right! This van has been great. Only bad thing is I can not aford another, the grand caravan is too much for us working people.

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  My Smooth Dakota - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By Nigel Key - May 5 - 7:00 pm

  Ive had my 2004 Dodge Dakota for 13 years havent gave me any trouble handle against other trucks. good with towing capacity is wonderful when I move. this truck has Powerful speed for a magnum 3.7 v6 Im not going to sale or get rid of mine it Dont burn that much gas Ive Recently got it painted Back to The same Color.

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  best dakota ever - 1993 Dodge Dakota
  By mopar512 - May 3 - 11:24 pm

  My dad got the truck with 300 miles in 92, he gave it to me in 08, great truck, awesome to drive, its smooth n its a v8 and its a Dodge it cant get any better than that, I got a dual exhaust, with a cherry bomb extreme sounds awesome

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  Good Germany Car - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Dave - May 3 - 7:36 am

  Love my Dodge Caliber. Driving on the autobahn is a blast. When it get to about 110mph it can cruise at lease 110 to 120mph. Love it. Germans keep asking what kind of car is it. They dont know the dodge sign and the style is like a BMW Crossover SUV. So overall I am happy.

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  I love my Intrepid - 2004 Dodge Intrepid
  By David Washburn - April 30 - 8:53 pm

  I have had my car for almost a year now. I got it with 82000 miles on it it just hit 90000 miles 2 days ago. I have yet had to do any major repairs that it actually has needed other then usually stuff. I love the comfort of the seats and how roomie the inside is. I really have no complaints of this car. Im fixing to deploy and whenever I get back I am going to throw some money into it to kinda make it my show car.

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  Most fun Car Ive owned. - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By Mike W - April 30 - 4:19 pm

  I love the 6 speed manual transmission. The car is fun and comfortable.

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  You need to get one - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Spencer - April 30 - 8:56 am

  My six year old son giggled with glee the first time I opened up the Hemi on the way home from the dealership. To say this car is fun to drive is to say a rollercoaster is pretty neat. I was really suprised, almost disappointed, with how quiet the engine was until I gunned it, and any time I step on the gas. The low growl of the Hemi then ellicits the appropriate grin. This is the first car I have bought that I have had fun driving. Im 64" tall and dont have to have the seat all the way back. There is plenty of room for my whole family of 4. I cant wait for my first road trip with my son next week. Dont cheat yourself....Get the Hemi if you buy this car! I cant recommend it enough.

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  Great Ride!! - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By sgpd101 - April 30 - 6:36 am

  This is my very frist top performance vehicle and I love it. I have the Daytona sport package in Top Banana. You really notice her as she is traveling down the road. I am thinking about a couple of modifications. I want to change the exhaust to the cat-back magnaflows, and was thinking about changing the seatbelts to a 5 point harnass system. Overall, I could not be happier with this vehicle, and she is a joy to drive.