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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  Amazing - 2008 Dodge Challenger
  By GreenPowerMan - February 15 - 9:49 am

  Chrysler did this one right! Gut wrenching acceleration, comfort, conveyance, looks, style, value and uniqueness! All BMWs, Porches and Mercedes look basically the same. None have the pizazz of the Challenger. Hand stitched leather and a painted orange engine block to name a few. Its also usable I drive it to work everyday, moved my daughter to college (the back seats fold down opening into the truck) and go out to dinner. After that, I leave 99% of cars in the dust in a cloud of white smoke. Its like Clark Kent turning into Superman!

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  Best car Ive had for gas mileage - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By mopar4ever - February 14 - 2:52 am

  I bought my Neon in June of 2005 with 5,000 miles on it. It is now Feb of 2009 and I have a little over 105,000 miles on it. There has never been anything wrong with the car except routine work like oil, spark plugs, wires, etc. I did however have a transmission cooler liner split when it had 104,000 miles but that is a normal wear and tear item as well. My passenger CV shaft is acting up as well now but it has 105,000 miles on it plus with me doing the burnouts I do with it doesnt help. Overall it is a great car all in all.

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  Dream car - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By Gene - February 14 - 2:38 am

  Ive been watching these since the concept car in 06 (owned Cudas and Challengers as a young man). I finally drove one and left the lot with it. Ive owned Vettes and Saabs and this car blows them away. I cant wait each day to go fire her up. Manual transmission is fantastic. Sometimes forget it has the 6th gear. Very comfortable, smooth ride. Handles like a dream. With current incentives it made this car more affordable (comes with lifetime drive train warranty). Having owned old style Cudas and Challenger the upgrades done on this modern Challenger are superb. Many people give the thumbs up or stop me to ask questions. This is a keeper.

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  Solid Truck Great Value - 1999 Dodge Dakota
  By Boney15 - February 11 - 8:14 pm

  Ive owned my Dakota for five years now. Bought it with 26000 miles, now has 64000. Only thing I have replaced has been the battery. Havent replaced a single other thing. Not a u joint, ball joint, brake pad, muffler, anything! Heres the best part. I also plow my snow with it up here in Michigans upper peninsula. We get around 250" of the white stuff every winter so I use it a lot. I have a Blizzard 720LT plow for it and it pushes all the snow youd ever want. People think that using your truck to plow snow is too hard on them, but not my Dakota. I know many guys with Fords and Chevys who plow and theyre always getting something fixed. They quality of this truck has been superb!

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  Excellent Vehicle - 2006 Dodge Durango
  By Chris - February 11 - 2:14 am

  We bought this car used as it came off of a lease. It was in excellent condition, except for the head-phones (for the DVD player) which were broken. It is perfect for our family of 3 little children. My wife loves the navigation system, and the kids like the DVD Player. We bought an SUV because the winters in Canada are pretty severe. I can say that this car has handled superbly in the snow. I now do NOT get stuck getting in and out of the driveway like I used to with my old car. This car is quieter than my 1990 Lexus LS 400, and seems to get better gas mileage, and is more comfortable too. There is absolutely no wind noise what-so-ever while driving. Its really a fabulous SUV.

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  I Love It - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By C Cav - February 10 - 11:53 pm

  This is truly an awesome vehicle. Also owning an SRT10, I am very impressed with the power and handling of this wagon. Great braking capabilities, and the handling is amazing. The interior is smooth and very comfortable. So far the only downside is MPG, but if that is what you are looking for in a car, the Hemi is not for you.

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  Fun Fun Fun - 2008 Dodge Charger
  By jimandjess - February 10 - 2:28 pm

  As the kind of owners that drive cars until they have to be junked, we usually shop for Toyotas. However, a local salesman cut us a deal we couldnt pass up and now we cruise around town in our hot new Charger. Though the interior is mostly plastic and we dont get as much hp out of the little engine as the big guys get, the car is still awesome. Its roomy, but doesnt feel like your driving a tank. The R&P steering is responsive and easy to get used to. The mpg arent bad as long as you dont bury your foot in the pedal (easier said than done). As a backyard mechanic, the roomy Dodge engine compartment means easy fixes, if you ever need them.

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  A Touring Car Without . . . - 2008 Dodge Charger
  By alphajam - February 10 - 10:59 am

  Without the Im going to hurt your back and kill you if you make mistake. Great for a daily driver or with an after-market addition or two, a great weekend hell-raiser. I use mine for both! My only complaint is an occasional rattle from the plastic around the moon/sun roof. I cant figure out where its coming from. . .

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  Sweet Ride - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Reaper568 - February 9 - 6:53 am

  Bought this beauty in June. I have never fallen in love with any of my previously owned vehicles, but this one, oh yeah! This car always gets the looks, and I have folks coming up to me all the time to ask about it and comment on it.

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  Truly a good buy - 1999 Dodge Durango
  By Tyler - February 8 - 10:33 pm

  I truely love this suv, its been the most reliable and handy atomobile ive evre owned. It seats 7, can get ok millange if your easy on the pedal ( with the 5.9 it will be hard to achive this) and is very sporty for its size. Its been wonderfull in the snow and great on milled of road trips. Over all a pice of metal thats durable, reliable, and fun.