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:

• 

  I Love My Dodge - 2006 Dodge Durango
  By JT in SC - September 24 - 2:00 am

  I am a Dodge man. I love the power of my Dodge HEMI. My wife and I bought it originally so that we could travel with our whole family for my job. Great on road handling. I drive much more cautiously than I did when I was younger, so I treat this truck like a baby. But when I need power to pass or tow. WOW! It goes like a bat out of you-know-where.

• 

  Best Car I have ever owned. - 2008 Dodge Nitro
  By Jay Macke - September 24 - 2:00 am

  My 2008 Nitro is the best car I have ever had. It is a company vehicle and the reliability and performance have been outstanding. I have 98,000 miles on the car and the only maintaince I have had to do is the scheduled oil changes. Still has original brakes and tires. The ride and handling are excellent. Wonderful car. I will purchase another one in 2011.

• 

  Our 2001 Durango - 2001 Dodge Durango
  By waynesprt - September 23 - 2:00 am

  We have had to replace window power module after my wife hit a deer a year before and was repaired with used parts.It has been good to us . my wife loves it. it was corporate owned new and serviced regularly and now too.

• 

  Mine is going bye bye! - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By chip - September 23 - 2:00 am

  Well, after 30 months of wondering what will go wrong next. Tomorrow is my lucky day I am returning this car to the dealership where it came from. Last weekend I bought a Nissan awd and they paid off my final lease payments. Its so sad. This could be/should be a good car. And I feel so bad for anyone thinking of getting one or that has just gotten one. They have no idea what they are in for. Lesson learned. Do your research before you sign for a new car. I feel like buying a huge billboard someplace to vent my disappointment in this car. About the only good thing I can say is that it was good in snow but the four tires only lasted through one winter. And they are very expensive.

• 

  Caught fire - 2010 Dodge Journey
  By bcon - September 23 - 2:00 am

  Well the wife needed a 7 passenger auto for the kids. We decided on the journey r/t. After 12k miles needed new breaks. After a year new $211.00 a tire tires. As my wife was driving home she noticed a smoke smell pulled over and the engine compartment was on fire with my 2 year old in the car. Dodge says its was not their fault but how does a 2009 new car just catch fire. Its impossible to reach any one at Dodge. If you value your life and the life of your family dont buy

• 

  Get one! - 2007 Dodge Charger
  By Jeff - September 23 - 2:00 am

  Bought this car new, and loved it from day 1. Roomy enough for 5 adults, huge trunk, lots of power, yet with the MDS, I averaged 22 Mpg combined (and over 27 on road trips). Interior is a little cheap-feeling, but the only cars you can compare it to for performance and space are at least $10k more. Had my car serviced regularly at the dealer, and had NO mechanical or electric problems. Only "surprise" was the $200+ for a tuneup (due to the Hemi requiring 16 spark plugs!). Great car and Id buy another in a second. Dont buy the base- the small V6 isnt enough for the car. Mileage for the 5.7Hemi and 3.5V6 are almost identical, so go for the power (and resale value) of the Hemi.

• 

  06 R/T AWD - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By alambra - September 22 - 2:00 am

  What an unbelievable machine. I have never driven anything like it. Perfectly engineered, meticulously designed. Simply perfect. Its time for Toyota to stop relentlessly pursuing perfection. Because Dodge got there first with the magnum rt. The power is unbelievable. Handling outstanding. And comfort is second to none. Ive been a mustang owner and lover for the past 15 years. But now, after driving this magnum hemi for less than a week, Im in love with it. With 82k miles it feels as if it just rolled off the assembly line and into my garage. Simply amazing automobile.

• 

  Unsure - 2009 Dodge Caliber
  By LaVerne - September 22 - 2:00 am

  Within the 1st month the tire pressure sensor had gone up. Within a few months later the tire stem on the other side of my car had snapped and once again had to get another tire pressure sensor.I went to the dealer about this and was told the tire stems break often and the company was unsure why. The car looks great on the outside but when dealing with the interior it is weak.Because it looks like a truck I was assuming it had power but it doesnt have much. My brakes squeaked at 40,000 miles and I had the brakes checked and was told this was normal. Air filter needs to be change a lot. One word this car is affordable but may need early repairs.

• 

  Avoid this dog - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By Needanothercar - September 22 - 2:00 am

  Multiple electrical failures, intermittent service interruption of the satellite radio, trim and fascia falling off, fit and finish not up to snuff. Its the same old Dodge turd, re-badged and slapped with a fresh coat of paint. Theyve learned nothing since the 70s. Im going to willingly take a $3,000 hit to get out of this thing. Avoid it at all costs.

• 

  Brake problems - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By cynthia - September 22 - 2:00 am

  I bought the journey r/t model in August of 09. At 12,000 mile they had to replace the front rotors and pads. Just took it back in at 16,000 mile they had to replace the fronts again and now the backs they say are shot. Had it in on several occasions before for electrical problems. Everything is fine otherwise and the r/t model is much better but the brake problems are getting to be too much. There is a class action law suit against Dodge for the brake problems.