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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  Love it but has flaws - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By R-RAIDER - October 5 - 2:00 am

  Same as everyone elses complaints: (my car only has 30k miles), my shifter stuck in park (had to get towed), rain/snow dumps in trunk if you lift the lid too fast, turn signals get stuck and sometimes when you signal to make a turn it goes into the high beam mode. If rear passengers put their feet under drivers seat you can knock the wire harness which sets off the airbag indicator (simple fix), but Im having problems with it stalling in the rain. Other than that. Im a big car type person but this car not only looks sharp but is fun to drive. It handles well. Sound system rocks too.

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  She Loves it - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Larry - October 5 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car in May of 06 for my wife and she loves it. The only issue we have had with the car is we had to replace the bushings for a squeak. I do wish the fuel mileage was better but it is better than my P.T. I did have to replace the tires early (25,000) but that was due to the dealership over inflating. The car runs and drive great and wife wont let me take her out of it.

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  Great Car - 2010 Dodge Journey
  By Jim - October 5 - 2:00 am

  Traded in my 2004 Dakota Quad Cab 4x4 for the Journey and for the first time in more than 30 years am not driving a pickup. With all seats folded, I can easily carry 8 lumber in the car. On the rare occasion I need to haul more, I use a small utility trailer. In the process, I have a smaller, more economical, and more fun to drive vehicle. The AWD shoud get me through the snow this winter. I went to the dealer expecting to buy a Ford Escape, but left with the Journey. I have not been sorry for a moment I bought the Journey instead. My only real problem is keeping my wife from stealing it and leaving me with her 2008 Taurus (which is a great car, but the Journey is more fun).

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  Car shuts down on freeway - 2003 Dodge Stratus
  By sarahleigh - October 4 - 2:00 am

  I have had my stratus for four years. I have had to replace the cold air intake, transmission parts, fuses, water pump, timing belt, and starter. Every few months something else is wrong with this car. The latest episode was the car engine shut off in the middle of th freeway going 70 leaving me without power steering or braking. My car did not give any warning signs before this. no smells, sounds or rough handling. Not only did this car almost kill me but has often left me stranded.

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  Not your ordinary Mommy Mobile - 2008 Dodge Magnum
  By kiss this - October 4 - 2:00 am

  I used to drive a Nissan quest, and I had so many issues with the darn thing, I wanted something that would give me the cargo room, without the bulkiness of an SUV. It is so reliable and at the time of purchase the car facts rated it at a 93% and I have not been disappointed. Everything about this vehicle, screams reliability, youthfulness and practicality!

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  The Beast! - 2008 Dodge Charger
  By Hemi Srt-8 - October 4 - 2:00 am

  Where do I start? In two words this car is "a beast"! The combination of the horsepower and torque on this car is ridiculously amazing! Ive been driving this car for about 6 months now & it sill amazes me. Mostly no cars on the road can compete with it (theres only a few that can). Given the aggressive looks on the outside, the blazing speed on this beast, the enormous amount of space in the interior, etc. This car is like no other (its in a class all by itself). Especially when you factor in all the great features and qualities this car has for the amount of money it costs this car is among the elite. I can go on & on about this car but my best advice is to drive one and see for yourself.

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  nice 97 - 1997 Dodge Dakota
  By Rocky - October 3 - 2:00 am

  This truck has only 72,000 miles, on it just now have replaced, the original brakes.The truck has been used to trailer heavy construction equipment, the V-8 runs great gets 19 to 20 on highway. Just put the 2nd set of tires on it, front end wears tires with out uneven wear. There is no vibration in front at all.Have used 4wd very often on muddy constructions sites. The only problem the cheap plastic gear shift handle broke loose.I have always run premium gas in the v-8 and it makes a whole lot of difference over regular gas. Over all Very happy with truck.

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  No Brakes - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By mommy22 - October 3 - 2:00 am

  Like everyone else I am having brake and rotor problems, mine were at 14,000 mi, I was lucky as a "one time customer courtesy they were only charging me $100.00 deductible"

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  A good Economical Crossover - 2010 Dodge Journey
  By priced right - October 3 - 2:00 am

  I have read a lot of Edmunds reviews and I have grown weary of their apparent car snobbishness and demand for perfection. There is no perfect vehicle. For the money I find that my new base model Dodge Journey is comfortable, adequately powered, and very roomy. For those who do not expect the moon and the stars from our ride, I find driving the 2010 Journey to be a pleasant experience that is not overshadowed by glaring defects. The ride is comfortable, and for having a four banger under the hood, it does what needs to be done without blocking traffic. Bottom line, the Journey is a satisfactory family SUV that is easy on the budget and will take where you want to go in relative comfort.

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  Old Faithful - 1994 Dodge Caravan
  By Petworthian - October 2 - 2:00 am

  I bought this van on eBay in 2003. It had 73,000 miles on it, and I bought it thinking Id use it to take the dog to the park, make Home Depot Runs, and take stuff to the dump. I ended up driving it across the country twice and on numerous vacation trips. The 2.5L 4-cylinder is plenty peppy (my van is a five-speed stick) and can return 30 MPG on a long road trip. Now has 105,000 miles and aside from maintenance items Ive only had to replace the starter and the clutch and recharge the A/C. This thing is as rugged (and simple) as an anvil, is comfortable, gives decent performance, can haul lots of stuff, and gets decent gas mileage. I intend to drive it for another 10 years.