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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  Fun, Fun, Fun and Daddys not taking it - 1993 Dodge Stealth
  By aznrule191 - July 23 - 2:18 pm

  Love this car. The whole package is very reliable. I have wanted this car since I was 15. This car is going to be my future track car. I used to run a souped up Supra, and this car is the closest thing I have driven to that power. I have driven a 05 STI and an 03 Golf GTI and this car blows those two away in terms of power. This car is not one I would recommend as a first car. It is a tough drive for an inexperienced driver. The AWD works well and makes the drive smooth and the turn radius one that rivals some of the best rally cars like the EVO and STI. And the Sport and Touring modes makes it perfect for both everyday driving and racing.

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  Wondering - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Dana - July 23 - 10:19 am

  I have had my car for a year now and I am wondering why it fishtails when the car hits a dip or uneven payment? Is anyone else having this problem and how did you fix it. I have read the other reviews and it sounds like a lot of tire rods and arms have had to replaced. I think I need to have mine checked. I also have had to change tires since buying my car. I keep the scheduled maintenance. After reading reviews am worried about trade-in offers. I think I want to trade mine in. It scares me being so fishy. It makes me wonder what else is going on under the car with suspension.

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  I love it! - 2010 Dodge Nitro
  By Scott - July 22 - 8:02 am

  Ive been driving for over 30 years and this is my favorite vehicle. Fun to drive and handles very well, those big 20" tires really stick to the pavement. I have the Detonator Yellow and people are always checking it out and giving compliments. The dash and interior controls are easy to use and within reach, the seats are very comfortable. There are no blind spots while driving you can see everything. Ive read some folks were unhappy with the interior and the handling. Your not buying top of the line luxury this is middle of the road SUV for the price.I bought this vehicle for the exterior looks. It is very rugged and handsome looking. Plent of interior space and my wife likes it as well. A+

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  What a ride! - 2010 Dodge Challenger
  By Dave M - July 21 - 7:48 pm

  I bought the 6 speed manual R/T Classic in TorRed. The car is an absolute head turner. I have the cold air kit and the Mopar exhaust and it sounds great. The fuel economy is what I expected for a hard charging muscle car. The ride is smooth and is very comparable to luxury cars. There is nothing I dont like about the car. If you buy this car you will not be disappointed. I have friends with the Camaro and Mustang and the Challenger is by far the better car. It may not out perform those two but the ride, comfort and looks are much better

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  Worst SUV ever! - 2007 Dodge Durango
  By bobby - July 21 - 3:34 pm

  Weve owned this Durango for 3 years and we have had more issues that all our other vehicles combined! dash board lights come on constantly, the dealer cant find anything! steering wheel is too loose, cheap plastic interior pieces falling, I will NEVER buy a DODGE vehicle again!

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  Worst car Ive ever owned - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Cheryl - July 20 - 2:03 pm

  Owned this car for 11 months now. Wish I had never bought it. Not worth 1/2 of what I paid for it. Sunroof leaked and had to be replaced within a few months of purchase. Paint peeling off front bumper already. No power, lucky if I can keep it up to 30 mph going through the mountains unless going downhill. Ive driven a mini van that performed better. Terrible in the snow and now the brake pads are already completely gone. Radio quits working sometimes. Wish I had kept my Toyota.I plan to get rid of it soon and never buy another Dodge.

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  Sucks Gas! - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By Rolle Bolle - July 19 - 4:02 pm

  To the Dodge Dakota Engineers, I would recommend this truck to anyone, but I wont because my 2005 V6 gets realistically about 11 miles per gallon. Ive been told by every mechanic that there is nothing more they can do to improve it. I would upgrade to a newer model, but after 5 years of record high gas prices, you never improved the gas mileage. Get a clue!

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  Great ride turning sour - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By KB - July 18 - 8:47 pm

  We bought the 4 cylinder last year because it had the best Cash for Clunkers incentive that fit right in my budget. I was thrilled in the beginning and enjoyed very much the ride, style and comfort. Eventually I found myself visiting the dealership with some issues quite often than anticipated. Ive owned several toyotas and wouldnt need to change my oil frequently or let alone change brakes before 36,000 Miles. To date, Ive needed wheel alignment, changed the rack & pinion and wheel bearings. Now, I need new front brake pads and rotor! What a major disappointment :( I thought I my driving was erratic but seeing all the other reviews made me realize that the car is junk.

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  3.7 extended cab 4x4 6sp - 2009 Dodge Dakota
  By Pat - July 17 - 5:56 pm

  Only put a few thousand kilometers on it so far. Mileage averaging 130/80 kph/mph was 14L Per 100k 20 imp mpg. Mileage averaging 105/65 kph/mph was 10.4 L Per 100k 28 imp mpg. Takes a little getting used to the 6 speed, but its not bad at all when you do. Paid $16,900 C with just 17000k on it and a car report.

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  2006 Dodge Magnum SE - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By Jnet_2006 - July 17 - 9:47 am

  I am very happy with my magnum. I was looking a car with a lot of room. My magnum is a car with the space of a SUV. It has the small V6 so the gas mileage is not all that bad. I would of never got a SUV with 51,000 miles for the great price I paid for my car. My 2006 Magnum is like new.