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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  Real - 2010 Dodge Challenger
  By Johnathen - September 14 - 2:00 am

  When you buy something you always think you got the Best! This is not the case the Interior is very uncomfortable the gas and brake pedals are too far to the left your hip will kill you after a drive,the radio with the touch screen can not be seen in daylight, No power at all a lot of blind spots. and seems to have the usual Dodge Quality IMHO really look around at others and drive them all I would say 1. mustang 2. Camaro 3.Genesis 4. Challenger

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  Looks ok, but drives bad - 2010 Dodge Caliber
  By tylda - September 13 - 2:00 am

  I dont own the car, but Im renting a brand new vehicle from Enterprise with less then 1000 miles on it while my primary daily driver is in the body shop. Caliber has a poor finish. It looks alright, but the car is poorly assembled. Its noisy, the gearbox is lame, there is glue coming out of a shift lever. The rear hatch has to be slammed in order to close it and the passenger door is out of alignment.

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  This car rocks - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By powerman1960 - September 12 - 2:00 am

  I have always been a Chevy man, but, this Challenger sold me from the first test drive.It has been so much fun to drive and the looks and comfort cant be beat. The gas mileage of this R/T range from 19 all around to 25 mpg while on a 500 mile trip driving 70-75 in cruise mode. This car gets so many looks and thumbs ups from kids to the elderly.

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  Love it - 2010 Dodge Challenger
  By sluggosurf - September 10 - 2:00 am

  2010 Challenger R/T Classic Hemi Orange. This car is incredible. I tested the big three muscle cars and the Challenger came out way ahead. True, the V8 Camaro will out perform but the Challenger has it all. Aside from being the best looking, it rides the best and has the most storage. Also the best in safety. It takes highways better than my wifes BMW 3 series! On a road trip I averaged 26 mpg! Thats with the same engine thats in my 2006 Ram.

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  1993 Dobitshi Daytona ES 3.0L V6 - 1993 Dodge Daytona
  By Dobishi - September 9 - 2:00 am

  Bought the car from a private seller about 2ish years ago for $1000. Since then Ive put about 700 dollars under the hood from blown head gaskets and radiators. I get about 8 MPG city and maybe 14 MPG highway, which is worse than corvettes of the time with much less power. I wouldnt recommend this car to anyone unless they bought the IROC or dropped a V8 RWD conversion into it to make it true muscle. I do, however, like the sound of the car. The day I bought it, I put a Thrush Turbo muffler on it and routed the exhaust out behind the doors. As I drive down the road, I can hear the Mitsubishi V6 growl like a caged animal. Interior is great. The true bucket seats are great to sleep in.

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  Back to the 60S - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By Challenger - September 9 - 2:00 am

  As I have turned old with a good memory of days past, I decided to seek out a muscle (retro) car. out of the 3 offered in 2009 I selected the Dodge Challenger R/T, SWEET.

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  Unhappy in becida - 2010 Dodge Journey
  By unhappy in becida - September 9 - 2:00 am

  We have had our Dodge Journey 2010 and we started jerking back and forward when you get to about 55/60 mph this started a month we got it . Now its been three weeks that they have had it and still dont know what is wrong with it. Wish we had kept our van.

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  One Fun Ride - 2010 Dodge Charger
  By AMZ - September 9 - 2:00 am

  After owning a Honda Accord Coupe for 12 years driving a full sized American sedan was thrilling. Havent owned an 8 cylinder car for about 26 years so having some Detroit iron around me again was gratifying. I am still getting used to her but this car is a real head turner and an absolute thrill to drive. If youre looking at American sedans you must consider the Charger.

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  Bought Used at 38K Miles - 2006 Dodge Dakota
  By UsedDakotaPickup - September 9 - 12:16 am

  All of you that complain about power on the 6cyl have Automatics? I have the 6 sp manual, and it has great power. Uphill, on the freeway, 65 mph in 5th gear, and still accelerating uphill. 6th gear is great for cruising on flat land, as an OD should be. Plenty of power in the V6 3.7 L here! Great Acceleration from a stop, and when you need it to really romp, taking it up to 3000RMP before shifting seems to do the trick for 1st through 3rd. I get on the freeway every morning and am holding it back by the end of the ramp, where I was still flooring my old rig! Just went through my first tank of gas. 50% town, 50% Freeway - 18 MPG. Great for a pickup, and better than most small trucks for average!

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  In for a Bumpy ride - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Helpme - September 8 - 9:59 pm

  I bought this 2009 Journey, from Carl Gregory in Columbus, Ga. That was my first mistake! I have 26,000 miles on it. It has been in the shop numerous times. All the plastic glove compartments, visors, back speakers have been replaced. Now I had my front brakes replaced, rotors rotated front tires replaced and I still have severe vibrations in steering wheel, especially when braking, the whole front end vibrates. I just put about $700 in the past 3 months. I owe too much to trade it in. I guess i will have to get a lawyer again, but this will be the last dodge I will ever own! Avoid the Journey if you are smart..