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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  I Absolutely Love This Car! - 1996 Dodge Intrepid
  By dwyl - March 7 - 12:35 pm

  I really love this car! Bought it with only 34,000 miles on it. Handles great and gets 30 mpg on long trips. Have 180,000 miles on it now and it still runs great. Does use a bit of oil between 6,000 mile oil changes. Not enough to have to add any. (use Castrol 5/50 synthetic oil) No issues with the engine or transmission. Have had to replace the water pump twice. Smooth, comfortable ride. The window gaskets are falling off and the paint on the plastic panel behind the back doors has faded. According to records before I owned it, the steering pump was replaced twice, and the steering gear was replaced but Ive had no problems. I would definitely buy another one in a heartbeat!

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  2005 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By JOHN JOHNSON - March 7 - 9:23 am

  Dependable for our needs. Especially such passanger/cargo configurations. Poor city fuel mileage during hot summer. (15/16) Due to using A/C. At this point with 20 gallon tank is a frequent gas station visits. Reasonable city fuel mileage during cool weather. (17/18) without using A/C. Satisfaction Highway mileage! (20- 25) Excessive brake dust all over the wheel and excessive tar spread all over the lower panel of the vans body which lead a weekly van wash. This increase the risk of paint chipping whenever such as gravels should happen to chip all over it. (Due to curve design on lower side of the van and tires are able to cause mess over it during on the road trips.)

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  The Official Vehicle of the 07 Blizzard - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Katiet - March 7 - 1:43 am

  I bought my car back in May and throughout the summer I was a bit irritated at its lack of acceleration. I used to have Toyota Celica and I was used to the get up and go. But I have to admit that it has redeemed it’s self recently. I have driven at least 40 miles (to and from work) every day of the past three snowstorms and not been stuck once. I drive past so many other stuck vehicles and thank my Caliber for its amazing performance in the snow! Even the stop and go traffic, serious traffic jams and alternate routes that I have taken have not affected its gas mileage! Any car that makes it over two foot snowdrifts with out four-wheel drive is a miracle!

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  So it begins....a Lifetime warranty test - 2009 Dodge Charger
  By TCB09RT - March 6 - 2:58 pm

  I picked up my Charger RT P package at the end of Jan 09. Being in Michigan I was concerned about handling in the snow and on the dirt roads I live on, so the dealer let me test drive the Charger 20 miles home. I was very surprised at how well the RWD/ESP combo handled snow, and how the suspension soaked up the "chatter bumps", ruts, and craters on both paved and dirt roads. I use my 4X4 for big snowstorms, but Ive put 1,200 on the RT thus far. My final purchase decision was based on that drivability, Chryslers deep discount, and the availability of a the Lifetime Max care warranty. The RT has everything a man could want for a lifetime of driving fun, comfort, and convienience.

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  Spectacular American Muscle Car - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By Ray - March 6 - 12:23 pm

  This car will impress you in ways you cant imagine. For years I have wished that Dodge would take the body style of a 1970s era Challenger and put in on a modern chassis. This car has the retro styling without the drawbacks. I have the 5.7L Hemi mated to the 6-speed manual. It was the only option I wanted or paid for. That made this car a bargain high-performance car, especially when you factor in the incentives being offered. It is a blast to drive. It has a tight ride without being too stiff. It turns everyones head. I love it.

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  so pretty it hurts to look at - 2007 Dodge Charger
  By L.T. - March 3 - 7:07 pm

  My co-worker described it better than I ever could have when I parked my new black charger in our lot. "Its so pretty its hard to look at, but it looks like it might eat all the cars". nuff said?

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  Pretty neat - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By ordinaryguy - March 2 - 2:53 am

  Ive got 48k on mine. Other than a recall for an O2 sensor an a plugged AC filter- no prob. Orig Goodyears still solid. Brakes solid. Fun solid. This thing will haul just about everything and in style. Ride and handling is a lot better than my last GMC. I agree with the quirky tranny shifting. Keep it out of OD in city driving and it will behave better. I get 18 city no problemo after I applied this method. Love the truck!

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  Beyond my expectations - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By Gringo - March 1 - 7:49 am

  Got the black on black R/T with the 6 speed track pak.I love to start this car and hear the pipes rumble. I ease that clutch and she bites a chunk of pavement and begs for more road to eat up.Second day I had it we went for a 3 hour ride across the state. With 6 gears the motor breathes and sips the gasoline for 22 mpg. On the street people stare at this car like they are watching a magic trick.

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  Great Car! Fun to Drive - 2009 Dodge Avenger
  By Ancona - February 27 - 10:25 am

  This is my first car so I can be accused of not being experienced, but I will say from what I can tell. The car is great. It rides smoot and quiet. Very comfortable and has plenty of space for passangers and cargo. It could stand to have some buttons moved around like the hands free button on the left side instead of the right. Overall great car. I love it and plan taking good care of it.

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  Great Quality - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By Cliff - February 27 - 12:46 am

  With regular maintenance and upkeep the 2000 Dodge Durango Sport will run till you wreck it! We had just around out 130k on it and had covered from the west coast, the south, and the heart of the midwest. The only problem we had was with the passenger side actuator ($10), drivers side windows (both required no new parts)and heater took a while to heat up and that was only after having Firestone work on it.... I dont blame Dodge. If your looking for a sturdy vehicle DO this Dodge! It will run until somebody smashes into you and totals it....p.s. the wife drove it away after it was hit...STURDY STURDY STURDY