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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  Looks great.... - 2008 Dodge Charger
  By Dan - September 13 - 7:43 am

  Great looking full size car. But after that nothing but problems. Front end is weak even with my wifes driving. Needed new tie rods and tension struts before 50k miles. The blinkers malfunctioned, the clock spring in the steering wheel broke. Hvac recirculation door broke/stuck on recirculate so it constantly fogs up when cold. Now 2 recalls, one for an airbag and one for the ignition. Luckily we purchased the dealer extended warranty, which I never do for anything.

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  Big Chunky Ride - 2008 Dodge Charger
  By Dan - September 12 - 8:15 pm

  Weighing in at 3800 pounds is the reason its big chunky. Its also the reason the car is hard on control arms, tie rods, and suspension. The motor is solid but it revs down real slow for some reason and has a "hemi tick" in the winter when its first started. Also a gnarly delay when you stab the throttle and when the rpms actually react to it,,, weird. The instrument panel has awkward half points that dont anything in between the floor / seat / dash air options. When turn the AC off or change from floor to dash position it actually takes about 8 seconds to respond. Full size sedan the corners stretch far on the blind spot beast. My car has had all struts replaced, also the lower control arms and now the upper ball joints are shot.

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  SRT8 Black Beauty - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By Joey - September 12 - 11:30 am

  Just bought this 2009 SRT8 Black Beauty. It is best car Ive ever owned, and Ive had 2 Mercedes, Porche 911, and 2 corvettes. The Challenger beats them all hands down for quality, power, comfort, and performance. You can drive this car daily as it is extremely livable or save it for weekend jaunts. I am thrilled every time I get in the car and turn it on. I get so many compliments on it from total strangers. This car has a style that will never go out of style. Im keeping this car forever and a day. If you have the cash, I highly recommend you pick one up if at all possible. It has true collector car value in my opinion.

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  Warning Lights - 2008 Dodge Charger
  By TSK - September 11 - 12:00 pm

  Had my 2008 Dodge Charger SE for about 3 years n now Im approaching 100,000 miles, Im having problems with the Electronic Throttle Control warning lights. While driving for a certain amount of time, that light n the traction light comes on. Have changed several things n those lights still come on. Read several reviews n others complain of the same problem. Why isnt this a safety recall because I dont like driving a car that no one can fix.

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  Bold and Beauty Bravely - 2015 Dodge Charger
  By eddie - September 9 - 10:18 pm

  I have the rallye SXT model which comes with the beats. Its lighter on the road and moves with ease. DODGE is definitely winning the trust and market of car lovers. I will go in for the dodge charger any day any time. I was born DODGE.

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  Big Reds 4/4 - 2010 Dodge Nitro
  By Dennis - September 9 - 6:36 pm

  my dodge nitro bought brand new in 2009,presently has 106 thousand miles on it & has been one of the best vehicles Ive ever owned

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  Totally Disappointed - 2009 Dodge Avenger
  By Devin - September 9 - 4:12 am

  At 50,000 miles on it. Its leaking puddles of water onto my passenger floor board. Took it to my mechanic, and he said the whole dashboard is gonna have to come out. Ive been through two sets of brake pads. Im starting to believe I have a very horribly built car.

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  2015 Dodge Aero Dart - 2015 Dodge Dart
  By JLB - September 8 - 9:12 pm

  When I bought this car, it seemed nice. Traded in a 2010 Dodge Charger because I wanted better gas mileage and safer winter driving (it was rear-wheel drive - in Denver CO). I agree with the review where take-off is sluggish and 6 gears are too many - like it cant decide which gear to be in and the drive can be choppy. I complained to the dealer about the poor take-off acceleration and he said it is to save gas. Its like the car is telling ME when I should go. Very frustrating. Once it gets going over 35-40 mph, it does do very nicely, handles nice, and is relatively quiet for a small car. The turbo is great. The air conditioner has a cheapy fan sound that is inherent in Darts per the dealer, and the brakes are always squealing, which two dealers say is due to the metal they are now using, but "it helps it stop on a dime". I just have to "keep the brake dust power-washed off", which I would have to do every other day. They say its on all cars after 2005, but I dont hear other peoples cars brakes squealing as I drive. The Aero is rated at 32 mpg city and I get about 27. Not the gas savings I was expecting. As I drive stop-and-go a lot, this car is VERY frustrating to drive - I am constantly telling it to "GO!" when I give it gas from a stop and hills are worst. But, on the open road, I did get 53 avg mpg! But, I am on my 3rd check engine light since 2500 miles (car now has 4700) and they cant find the problem because of how complicated theyve made everything. I would run this car off a cliff if I could. I have had Dodges for 20 years since I worked for Chrysler at one time but Im done now. This is NOT a worthy replacement for the Neon and I wish I had my Charger back!

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  worse suv i have ever owned cars included - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By justthiz0 - September 4 - 11:33 pm

  Had trouble from day one engine light came on the next day after purchase. The dealer said it was a relay switch which they tried to fix six times has never passed inspection six I had it over three years. Put it in the shop first shop said transmission second opinion was in the shop for a month trying to figure it out slot of broken wires and even he sent the truck out do other repairs he said he never seen anything like this before and he does transmissions. 950. 00 later Im praying thats it oh and dont let it rain runs like crap never go to family dodge down essington by the airport.

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  Good SUV for the Money - 2014 Dodge Journey
  By klq - September 3 - 4:50 pm

  Have had an SE for 14 months. The Good: Great Storage options, nice interior, useful third row, Bluetooth controls. The OK: Fuel mileage ( after 16,000 miles my avg MPG is 23.5). The Bad: 4 cylinder is a little underpowered, no daytime running lights standard.