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:

• 

  Great Long Term Value - 1999 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Doug_H - January 18 - 3:13 pm

  Purchased used w/17K miles in 2000. Has been a great long term value. Minimal cost to own. ES model has everything available at the time. 3.8 ltr has plenty of power @ 180hp. Hauls 7 comfortably. Great on long trips. Live in TX, van has been to CA and back and Orlando, FL and back plus many trips to surrounding states. Avgs 23 mpg city/hwy. Gotten 29 mpg on hwy, avg 25. As of 5/09, have 229K. Rebuilt Trans. at 190K. New Cat. Converter at 185K. No other major mechanical issues, just stuff that wears out-alternator, water pump, pulleys misc sensors and switches, etc. Would buy again but wife wants something different after 10 yrs. 1999 ES model still best looking w/17in. wheels.

• 

  Build more - 2007 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By George Willis - January 17 - 3:53 pm

  My Dodge number 4. This is the best so far. Smooth power, almost all curves where I drive no problems steering is tops. Mileage is a little low at 22 but only 670 miles so far. Should give 24. All other Dodge vans did. Build quality has improved greatly. Cant say enough about stow and go. Can carry full 4x8 sheet plywood inside with hatch closed. Most pickups need tailgate down. Can also haul 10/12 bales of hay. Cruise on interstate is pure joy. 3.8 engine, auto transmission

• 

  Love my Intrepid! - 2001 Dodge Intrepid
  By Johnny - January 16 - 1:16 pm

  I bought my car less than 1 yr old with 20,000 miles on it. Ive taken it to Vegas 3 times, LA nmerous times and my baby is as strong now as she was when I first bought her. Oil change every 4 months, full tune up every 10 months, 2 sets of tires and now she has 198,000 miles and still going strong. 2.7L engine could use a little boost, but love it just the same. Especially on cruise control going uphill. What a boost in rpms! And road curves? What cornering! What road hugging. Makes me feel like Im driving at Talladega Speedway!

• 

  Great car best I had so far - 2000 Dodge Intrepid
  By ki2006 - January 13 - 4:46 pm

  When I got this car it had 40,000miles. l now have over 150,000 Went to Florida twice from St. Louis, Missouri no problems. But people trying to steal it and Im hard on brakes but other than that love it. Great gas miles. Wish I could find another car built like this one. People believe me this car is no lemon. Built to stand with the best Would take this over any sedan

• 

  Black Mag R/T V8 - 2007 Dodge Magnum
  By The Diggler - January 12 - 2:01 am

  Best car I have ever owned. The looks, the interior space and enough whip for V8 models and up! Good gas mileage for 340hp ( getting 19-20) Could have gotten better quality interior but very quiet and comfortable inside. Drove to NC and handled awesome around mountain roads. I test drove v6 and there is a big drop off ! Go Hemi, the best route to go.

• 

  Great value, great fun - 2008 Dodge Charger
  By sonnysayshi - January 11 - 6:27 pm

  Although Ive only owned the Charger for 10 days, I sense its the best auto purchase Ive made. Love the rumble, impressive acceleration, nice interior, nice stereo, ample space, great look -- for the money, nearly impossible to beat.

• 

  any where i want to go - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By sally sowards - January 10 - 10:00 am

  Over all this is an excellent SUV. I have the AWD in my Durango and will never own anything else. AWD and my Durango has proved its stability to me time and time again in all weather conditions. Dry, wet or snow on or off the road. (nothing will go ice) This is a very reliable and very safe SUV. With no fear my grandsons and I have been all over the place in it.

• 

  Black on Black R/T on 20in chrome - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By Mann - January 10 - 12:24 am

  I got mine sightly under invoice after a cash offer and a strict out the door desired price. They took the offer and I gave them the check. The style of the car caught my attention, then after a test drive i wanted one. The interior is very comfortable, very nicely done leather seats. The power sunroof is an bonus feature. The car still gets ton of looks but most importantly it has the look i want, the performance, and makes driving fun.

• 

  Excellent vehicle - 2018 Dodge Durango
  By Sharon wayland - January 9 - 7:51 pm

  The Durango hands down is superb I’ve always had a suburban but this vehicle is the best.With all the immenities I got a new suburban would have been well over 2x the price I paid. If this vehicle had Jeep label they wouldn’t be able to keep them on the lot.Dodge has really got a keeper I absolutely love mine.Dodge Durango Gt 6 cylinder,leather,moon roof has it all for under $40;000.

• 

  Unreal - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By l stowe - January 7 - 11:46 pm

  I have owned many great cars but the SRT8 has them all outclassed. This car is in a class by itself. The SRT people really out did themselves on this one.