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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  neon-oh yeah! - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By pinkerella - December 17 - 10:00 am

  Please convey to Chrysler....this car is a "must" to stay in the line up! Americans will want to stay with this American design.

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  Nothing like it on the market - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By oroblram69 - December 12 - 2:43 pm

  Nothing like it on the market.

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  06 Charger SE w/ 3.5HO 5A added sunroof - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By JimPonder - December 10 - 7:39 am

  I just purchased this vehicle and find that it is very comfortable and roomy for taller people like myself. You can glide down the road not even noting your speed. Fairly quiet running vehicle and smooth over the bumps. Not the R/T so I havent done the curves hard with it. I do recommend you get the 5sp auto for this vehicle (I believe they are standard on the 06 models and only on the SXT-R/T models later.) The 5speed (or 5A as they note it) will give you the low rpm cruising speed on the highways which will help with gas. I get 30mpg with this car.

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  Good Truck - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By Jason - December 8 - 10:34 pm

  Happy with the truck. I have had it for a little over a year. Did have to replace tie-rod ends in it a couple times, which I hear is typical for Dakotas. Gas mileage leaves a lot to be desired (about 13-14 mpg in town). Power is good and pulls my boat with no problem. Roomy cab is nice and actually fits adults in the backseat. Off-road performance is adaquate. Feels like it cant take a lot of abuse with tough terrain and ground clearance is a concern. Overall, I am happy with it and would buy it again.

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  95 Ram Van - 1995 Dodge Ram Wagon
  By Karen Stevens - December 8 - 2:00 am

  Very servicable from the start. Plenty of power,towed a heavy pop-camper at 95mph in Montana, I can always tow it at highway speed and keep up with any traffic. I do all maint. and most repairs myself. I fix before it breaks. Fuel pump went out at 123000, replaced water pump, alternater, starter just in case. I thought the trans was gone but only blew a hose. Uses about one quart of oil in 3000mi. Power door locks are not reliable. Windshield leaks and wind noise.

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  The toughest car ever driven - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By Troyboy - December 5 - 3:40 pm

  I am 19 years old and I had this car till about a few months ago, my brother and I both owned this car while we were going through our crazy driving stage. This car has been through so many rivers and ditches and jumps, yet it has lasted better than we could ever imagine! This is the toughest car I have ever seen, wont ever let you down!

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  Love the Looks - 2006 Dodge Dakota
  By RedBaron - December 4 - 8:34 pm

  This was the truck I had been waiting for. Hated the nose design of the 1996-2005 [my prev. was a 1995 Dakota SLT]. This design is bold and clean. Interior is almost quiet, space is good, comfort is very good.. Fit & finish are great except for the body panels. Fenders to molded bumpers gap lets dirt, salt, mud flow thru. Got a cap on back and bed is fine & secure for most loads.

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  Bang for the Buck - 2008 Dodge Charger
  By Captain Midnight - December 3 - 1:07 pm

  Id like to say that this is a great car, but we will go with good for now. The ride is smooth, comfortable and quiet, and Id be fine riding in it for hours without undue fatigue. The steering gets raspberries because its too heavy at all speeds and the chassis is busy at cruise. The most fatiguing part of driving this car is the constant inputs required, even on smooth, uncrowned roads. I really hate that part. The stock 225 60R18 touring tires grip well in the dry and are a menace in the wet. First thing I did was to get Goodyear Eagle Ultra Grip GW3 snow tires so that I can get through a Michigan winter without ending up in a ditch somewhere. Recommended with reservations

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  Great car for the price - 2001 Dodge Stratus
  By mechem - December 1 - 3:44 pm

  I bought the car recently. Super fast being the RT model. Fun to drive and it feels safe and responsive. Gas mileage is roughly 21 overall, and I drive it hard. Only a couple complaints. The second cupholder is a joke, its under the armrest and is shallow. Also there is an odd rattle that Ive heard. Its mostly notable when coasting. The engine is strong so it covers it when your gassing it. Nothing major though, I can live with it. Definitely a fun car to have and it gets looks wherever it goes. Cheap too, bought mine for 5 grand with under 60k on it.

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  Nice car for the family - 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Haim Elbaz - November 30 - 1:07 pm