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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  My Best Car Yet - 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By bparker - April 29 - 10:00 am

  This care is smooth driving and easy handling. I have been a Grand Caravan owner since 1989 and this is the best yet.

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  Camaro? No thanks. - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By Troy - April 28 - 3:19 pm

  we went to the dealership just to rule out the Challenger, because we had every intention of getting the Camaro but I was very impressed and when I did finally see the Camaro, there was no doubt in our minds that the Challenger was it. This car rocks, orange w/black stripes,20inch wheels,manual,sunroof,leather seat,the looks everytime we go out, honks,stares,waves,thumbs up from people I have never met. My wife drove it home while I was at work, when I started it for the first time in my garage, I giggled like a little school girl when I heard the sound of the exhaust. We first tried to order a V6 and the deal fell through, Im so thankful it did, the 5.7 V8 Hemi is awesome.

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  Wonderful - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By aqtldy - April 27 - 9:56 pm

  I had gotten into an accident and had to replace my Concorde. I did not want to, but my new Magnum is great. It has been more comfortable and it has been a lot of fun to drive. I have the navigation system in it and you will never get lost.

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  Beats the old ones! - 2007 Dodge Charger
  By Plum Crazy SRT8 - April 27 - 4:04 pm

  I have owned musclecars of all types over the last 30 years from 455CID 442s to 440 powered MOPARS and this car beats them all. Yeah, yeah its a 4 door but so what, it crushes any of the old cars in ride, handling and especially performance. Stock 1/4 mile times in the high 12s and 0-60 in the mid to high 4 second range prove what a beast this car is. The Plum Crazy color takes me back to 1970-71 when the Dodge Scat Pack prowled the streets. The modern 6.1L Hemi is underrated at 425hp, its closer to 450hp! That is net horsepower, not gross like in the old days. Get one while you still can because these cars will be gone forever by 2012.

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  Economy crossover - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By debula - April 26 - 9:23 pm

  My husband and I love this crossover vechicle. The seats are high, great visibility, plenty of room, great fuel economy, comfortable ride and handles well. We never thought we would find such a wonderful little SUV in the midst of all the vechicles on the market. The cruise control works great.

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  Hemi Orange SRT8 6 speed Manual - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By Eric G - April 26 - 5:41 pm

  WOW, Bring back the E-Body Mopars with all we loved Plus. Add stopping, turning, reliability, gadgets to my old 71 Cuda and you scratch the surface of what this car is. Although a little porky due to all the gadgets and safety equipment, this baby still performs well. The car gets more attention than anything out there and in case someone didnt notice stomp on it and the 6 speed version roars loauder than the auto since the suitcase muffler is deleted. The car handles well and the performance gauges show some of my roadcourse results with 0.99 lateral acceleration. Thew car seats 5 so my family of 5 can fit for some cruises or to shows without the need of a 2nd vehicle. Car is AWESOME

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  flogging neons - 1995 Dodge Neon
  By dodge me - April 25 - 11:53 pm

  I have a 1995 neon with approximately 125,000 miles on it after getting it I found one gremlin in the instrument cluster (repaired ground) then built it for minor performance and fuel economy amazingly I was getting 55+ mpg highway from my .75 overdiven manual trans. 2.0l sohc only thing I have yet to find wrong has been the head gasket never had any problems up to the point I rebuilt the cylinder head for more perf. and no signs of leaks.

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  Wonderful Older Car To Own - 1996 Dodge Avenger
  By Arthur Johnny-john - April 25 - 8:28 pm

  I purchased this 1996 Dodge Advenger ES used from a buddy of mine this spring, he no longer wanted it because it needs a little of everything fixed or replaced due to its age. He also had a family now and it doesnt quite "fit" the familys purpose either, so I got it for $800.00 and have been driving it daily now for about 2 months now. It handles like a dream! Excellent power for having 180,000 miles on it and I plan on investing a lot of money into it to bring it back to better-than showroom... Im going to make it my dream project summer vehicle!

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  Good Buy - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By Bordin - April 25 - 5:52 pm

  This car is nothing but fun. No problems with it at all. Recalls obviously but other then that no other repairs. Gas milage is surprisingly well. Great hauling vehicle. Lots of jump off dead starts, take any little 4 cylinder car anyday.

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  Still Smiling - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By Mike - April 25 - 2:21 pm

  Ive had my Challenger for 7 months now and I still grin when I get in it. The car always draws lots of attention Ive even had people take pictures of it at stop lights! The performance is stellar. I took it and my 540i BMW to the Miami Homestead Speedway for an all day race. My son drover the BMW and I drove the Challenger along with 20 or so other cars. I fully expected the BMW to out corner the Challenger but the reverse was true. The Challenger took the turns faster and more sure footed than the BMW and blew it away on acceleration. The brakes were truly awesome never fading in stopping this 4,200 beast. I passed several Corvettes and never once hinted of spinning it out. WOW