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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  Performance with gas mileage you can live with - 2014 Dodge Charger
  By 0to60in15mins - October 28 - 1:39 pm

  I have driven my Black on Black Charger for 7000 miles. Great performance. The gas mileage I am getting on my mixed commute is about 21 MPG. On the trips it can range from 26-28 depending on the speed, wind and terrain. The car is a rocket. Depending on what state I am in, folks get out of the way. Car wants to run at 80 MPH. With a top speed of 140 MPH, I wish I was back assigned back in Germany so I could drive this car as designed. Car is very comfortable at highway speeds. Car is a bit too stiff at low speeds on rough roads but that to be expected.

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  Best Kept Secret In Ride and Power - 2014 Dodge Avenger
  By joechevy1 - October 9 - 12:57 pm

  I traded a 2013 Dodge Dart turbo manual for a 2014 Avenger with the 3.6 Pentastar because I wanted an automatic again and the incentives were high. Best move on a new car Ive ever done on a new car purchase. All I ever read were so-so reviews about the Avenger over the years. But I figured Id take a chance on it since it had the V6 power and some extra styling Bling. (I did not get the R/T, but this site did not list the SE version with all the add-ons I got). What a car! Super Comfortable, capable handling, doesnt look like every other Asian cookie cutter sedan on the market these days and..... wait for it..... POWER TO SPARE. Best kept secret , the 3.6 Pentastar!!! Fantastic!

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  Steering wheel lock while driving! and car wont accelerate randomly on the highway - 2007 Dodge Charger
  By relentleshemi - October 5 - 6:06 pm

  I absolutely love this car, But when it comes to reliability it sucks. I bought this car 3 months ago @ darcars silver spring in maryland and had 3 incidents with my car all with the same issue and still not fixed. Dealer mechanics cant seem to get it right almost causing me three accidents two on the highway and one in the city while making a turn in the middle of the road!

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  LOVE MY STRATUS - 2001 Dodge Stratus
  By stratusfan - September 25 - 8:46 am

  I bought a 2001 Dodge Stratus R/T brand new (first new car!) and absolutely LOVED it. Sadly, after 13 years, I had to retire the car. The car offered affordable luxuries (leather seats, sunroof, Infinity sound system), agile handling, and comfort. No major expenses, just the cost of routine maintenance.

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  Happy - 2013 Dodge Dart
  By huskamutefarms - September 24 - 11:51 am

  I bought my 2013 Dodge Dart SE in March of 2013. It had 10 miles on it. It is now almost October of 2014 and I have 43200 miles on my Dart. My work was a long commute, no longer thank God. I have had ZERO problems with this car. I did put a new set of TOYO tires on. Sorry to the folks that had problems.. Ohh.. I love the fact no worries about a stupid rubber timing belt every 80k to100 k. I just drive right and follow manufacture recommendations. Ed Spokane, WA

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  What a Ride! - 2013 Dodge Charger
  By allmyharts - September 16 - 1:49 pm

  Just got my 13 Charger R/T 2 weeks ago. I was driving a 02 GTP turbocharger. Boy what a difference in comfort and drive! I am totally loving my Charger with all the bells and whistles. The seats are so comfortable I cant wait each day to get in and drive. My GTP was a great car and had turbo so it went pretty fast but the Charger just goes by instinct. All I have to do is say "go" and we are off. I cant say much more about this car except it is awesome and looks pretty dang sexy! My only complaint is the sound system. I love my music and love it loud and thumping. The sound system in the car just doesnt do that well. Will be adding additional sound equipment to get the sound I want.

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  Would do it again - 2012 Dodge Charger
  By skypig86 - September 15 - 6:55 pm

  Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would own a Dodge - this is my 5th! Bought new in 12, wife hogs it. Set out to buy an Infiniti M, but the Dodge wins on noise, room, entrance/egress, toys, and performance. The AWD is not as good as BMW, reminds me of my Aspen. It kicks in after you slip a little - I guess they wanted you to know you were changing envelopes whereas my 330XI was hardly noticeable. Only issue so far was a bushing squeak in the steering column that was fixed under warranty.

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  Love my 13 Aero - 2013 Dodge Dart
  By stubb1 - September 8 - 8:36 pm

  I have had my Aero since December 2013. I test drove almost everything in the class but settled on the Aero manual 6 spd 1.4L turbo based on price, options and fuel economy. This car is fun to drive, handles great, and gets better than advertised mileage. I have almost 20,000 on the car now and have taken it on several long road trips. The seats are comfy, the power is great even on the highway, and it is a real treat to drive on mountain roads. I cant understand the C rating here. For the last week I have also been driving a 2014 Corolla S and I cant stand it. The Dart has more pickup, better mileage and handling, and more room. All for about 4k less.

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  Love our New 2015 Journey Limited - 2015 Dodge Journey
  By brandich - September 7 - 8:01 am

  We ordered my wifes 2015 Dodge Journey Limited on July 4, 2014. She picked out ALL the "GOODIES" including the White Tri-Coat paint for an extra $500. Along with the White Pearl Leather interior the car is just STUNNING to look at for sure! We also had 2 thin black stripes PAINTED down the sides and also around the back..BEAUTIFUL!! We do MISS the Power REAR Hatch Opening like we had on our Town and Country Limited Van and ALSO MISS the Drivers Front Seat Power setting for 2 drivers! Thats really the only 2 things I WISH they would have OFFERED with our Limited Journey. We picked up my wifes 2015 Journey on Aug. 22, 2014 and we both LOVE it!!

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  Perfect Ride - 2014 Dodge Durango
  By gvtrai58 - August 30 - 11:16 pm

  I was born in the 60s and grew up in the 70s when Chrysler didnt exactly have the best reputation among auto makers. I discovered the 2014 Durango because I use one very frequently for the company I work for. I couldnt believe how quiet and smooth the ride is. I used to joke around about the Durango being as smooth as a Mercedes. Then, I found out it shares the same platform as the Mercedes GL series. So, when my wife needed another vehicle I decided to get her a Durango. She picked out a 2014 Rallye package and loves it. The kids love it. The car is so quiet and smooth. The gas mileage is great. After 8000 miles we average about 22mpg. No maintenance issues.