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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  My favorite new car - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By dkeeney - January 28 - 6:23 am

  I have had my Caliber for almost a month now and I love it. I had a 1996 Dodge Neon before it, and it was only a two door. With a 2 year-old child that was such a pain getting her in and out of the back seat. With the Caliber I have no problems at all. Plus the leg room is great. I am tall and need my knee room, the adjustable drivers seat is the best yet. My brother in law in 6foot 7inches and he fit in the back seat with plenty of room for the front passanger and for himself. Dodge did a good thing coming out with the Caliber. Thank you very much for making my life eaiser.

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  Great Truck - 1995 Dodge Dakota
  By Gavin - January 27 - 2:20 pm

  I loved this truck from day one. I need to write a review now that I had to get a diffrent one. My family grew. Where can you find a truck that gets 18-19mpg at 85mph & get 17.5mpg pulling 1500lbs and Ive put about 1700Ibs in the bed and still have alot of power if the ac is on? This Dakota youll find it.The 318 I think is was ahead of its time. It is one my favorite motors I have ever had. The 5 speed manual is great as well. This truck handles just great. It went up against every task I asked of it and never broke down. It was very compfortable as well. I rode in a Galant and when I got back in my truck it was like sitting on the couch again. I truly loved this truck.

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  R/T Coupe Rules, Chew on it Neon! Haha! - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By CRUZGT2000 - January 27 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle rides so smoothly and has so many possible upgrades to the engine, that anyone between the ages of 16-28 would find this a definite fun car to drive, not to mention from the guys point of view, a definite chick-magnet!

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  Amazing car for its price! - 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Stuartp222 - January 27 - 10:00 am

  We have a SE model and it is the most useful thing on this earth.

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  5x Satisfied Chrysler Customer - 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Brighton Resident - January 27 - 10:00 am

  Very satisfied with my 5th new Chrysler product!

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  Review - 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By a berg - January 27 - 10:00 am

  Great vehicle We never thought we would own a minivan but it is great when traveling with the kids...

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  carlos - 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By flames rivers - January 27 - 10:00 am

  this van has gos milage and is good for sports moms so the can drive their kids to games as well as their friends

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  One Ram Tough Midsize - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By brouillette0603 - January 27 - 10:00 am

  One of the most dependable Amercican trucks for the past 10 years. Plenty of horse power. Great looks. Great potential for looks dressup and performance upgrades if the owner so chooses.

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  Fun 2 drive - 2009 Dodge Caliber
  By megrow67 - January 26 - 1:39 pm

  Great gas mileage. Comfortable, 4x2 drives great in snow better than I thought. Easy to wash. Easy to get into. Have a lot of options for the price. Get up and go to be 4 clyinder

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  Best overall mid-sized truck. - 2008 Dodge Dakota
  By Nice Truck - January 25 - 7:58 pm

  I wanted a truck that wasnt too big, but had enough grunt to work. Love the space the crew cab gives, wish the bed was about 1 longer. 4.7 V-8 is a great engine in search of a decent transmission. Very slow to down shift, yet wont up-shift in parking lots. 4X4 knob is in a poor location. Ride is a bit too stiff--the 07 was too soft. Handling is terrific for a truck, but I would trade a bit of handling for a less stiff ride. So far 14 mpg city 21 mpg highway, pretty decent for a 300+ HP V-8 4X4. Overall head and shoulders above the Ranger and Colorado, better looking than Toyota and Nissan. Best mid-sized truck out there