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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  great value - 2008 Dodge Caliber
  By Steveo - April 2 - 9:19 pm

  The caliber is a fun car to drive. Im still getting used to the CVT instead of a transmission. The body style really impresses me, its like a wannabe Magnum on a Geo budget. So far Im well pleased with the decision to buy it. Like a lot of people have said, it is loud on the road. Dodge would do well to correct that fault. I highly recommend the caliber to small families and commuters, a lot of value for the price.

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  Looks awesome, fun to drive! - 1998 Dodge Avenger
  By aresauburn - April 2 - 8:09 pm

  A great car that is very fun to drive. The 6 cylinder sounds good, but I wish late 90s cars such as these made more power. However, if you treat this car well, keep it maintained routinely, it will run reliably and look awesome!

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  Chryslers core design quality is slipping... - 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By buddhanature - April 2 - 4:23 pm

  35,000 miles, Owned for 2 years from new. Dealer sales-lady lied about UConnect and rebate for multi-vehicle purchase. Wouldnt reimburse us either. Drove to Florida from Michigan twice. Cruise control problem - didnt use. Transmission hard shift when first taking off. Used to own 94 Voyager minivan, 03 Intrepid and 98 Sebring convertible. This vehicle has more design problems than the older ones I owned. Had transmission reprogrammed - still bad (even had 3 Chrysler quality engineers ride with me and they said this is normal operation for this vehicle.),wind shear problem, heater blower motor has only low speeds. Original tires only lasted 25,000 miles before no traction in snow.

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  Transmission Woes - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By Sara - March 28 - 8:35 pm

  My Nitro is my first SUV and I mostly love it. I had to take it into the dealer for a leaky transmission twice in the first 3 months I owned it. One of my rear window motors died and had to be replaced about 8 months after I bought it. Overall, a good car, but I worry about its reliability in the long run. Fun to drive, and people comment on the styling.

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  Nice Family car. - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By Mike - March 26 - 3:54 pm

  Engine and power train are excellent. 4.7 liter delivers good power. Average 16.5 MPG in mixed driving. Not great but delivers what is advertised. Overall ride is very good. Nice sturdy feel. Very smooth on flat roads very truck like on bumpy roads. Very nice family vehicle. Seats 7. Plenty of room for storage with 3rd row seats folded down. Overall this has been a great purchase.

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  Engine Replacement - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By roguedogg420 - March 26 - 5:27 am

  I cant believe that no one else mentioned this. After 16,000 the check engine light came on...brought the truck back to the dealership who told me the head was cracked. Ordered a new head (took a month) and it was replaced. 2 days later check engine light is back on and vehicle has no compression. Engine had to be replaced (took a month because they were on backorder due to several similar cases). New engine has a constant ticking sound. Saw another Dakota owner who told me the SAME THING HAPPENED TO HIS!!! 2 Dakotas in the same area!!!

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  Beware - 2000 Dodge Intrepid
  By shelly - March 24 - 11:10 pm

  I was seduced by this car. It is beautiful. However, I have had one problem after another. I still owe 4k on it and am having to trade it in. Engine is going on it and it only has 85000 miles on it. Was told the engine will lock up eventually. I am so ticked off...DONT BUY ONE!

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  good car while on a budget W/ warrenty! - 1998 Dodge Stratus
  By Raymond - March 24 - 4:23 pm

  i purchased this strats ES used with 92,000 on it. Its been a fairly reliable car as i have driven it to Danville,VA from Jamestown, NY. I feel safe to travel in this car but the battery gave me very little warning that it was about to die. then to my surprise the batt. is located in front driver side bumper. you have to remove the wheel to get too it. the same goes for the Chrysler cirrus and plymouth breeze. sneaky of chrysler to do this. i now have 140,000 miles on the car and my check engine light keeps popping on. i took it to the shop and i find out that its the transmission and im not replaceing it. i would buy another stratus but make sure you get a warranty with the car.

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  A car with character and style - 2008 Dodge Nitro
  By GB - March 24 - 6:52 am

  This thing is 70 percent a Jeep. It feels and handles like a Jeep, with all these truck-like, rugged characteristics. If you want a SUV that handles like a Porsche, this is definitely not your car. But it handles quite well and predictably. I feel very safe in this car, riding in this solid box of steel "above" the normal traffic. There is plenty of passenger room (esp. legroom for second row passengers) and a lot (!) of cargo space with the seats folded down. It tows heavy loads with ease. The 4 wheel drive is very simple (can only be used on slippery surfaces and with low speed)but works extremely well in heavy snow or muddy roads. The interior practical, not fancy.

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  Dodge Stratus - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By christyc33 - March 23 - 2:00 am

  I love my stratus. It has an awesome body style, comfort and drive.