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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  The best first car ever! - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By kay - October 15 - 5:35 pm

  I love, I mean love this car! wicked fun to drive, and so easy to handle. I fell for it when my eyes saw it, so cute and really reliable

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  110,000 and still going - Satisfied - 2000 Dodge Stratus
  By Suzie - October 15 - 10:31 am

  Purchased: Jan 2007 SE Model I have not had any major problems with this car. I have driven it to FL, PA, SC and throughout MD. I now drive it 130 per day and still have not had any problems. Replaced the brakes pads twice. Currently at 110,000 miles and still running great. Smooth, quiet, comfortable, good mpg. Keep very good maintenance - regular oil changes, flush, transmission, and check ups, etc. This was worth every penny. I had a Chrysler Sebring before this and I had many problems - rotors, rotors, seat motor, etc. I had a Plymouth prior to that and didnt have any problems. Currently, I also own a Toyota 4-Runner which is also worthy to mention but it doesnt run like my Stratus.

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  Never ending drive with my ES. - 1993 Dodge Stealth
  By Rob - October 14 - 11:40 pm

  I really think this is the best car ever. It was my first car back in 2006 when I bought it. Its amazing but still fixing for minor things now. I basically put a new door, stereo, thermostat, brakes, paint job, tires, gauge bulbs, moldings and new rims. I think you could possibly do anything to this car to make it look ten times as better. I believe its an amazing car to drive around town and show off. Ive had a person challenge me with their pathetic charger r/t and it was funny Ill tell you. But great car to pick chicks up too in it. It looks twice as better in black and dark tints.

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  Loving It - 2008 Dodge Durango
  By asgard - October 14 - 2:36 pm

  Great SUV, Hemi MDS works great, avg. around 17 mpg highway driving with cruise set at 55. Had an 2001 Durango SLT, traded it for 2006 Jeep Liberty, was not happy with Jeep, kept it 2 years. With 0% for 72 months and 2000.00 rebate, could not pass up the Durango. Driving Jeep made me miss the ride of a larger SUV.

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  25 mpg with a Hemi! - 2006 Dodge Durango
  By Eddie - October 14 - 12:22 pm

  I have had this vehicle for 2 years and have taken many long trips and done quite a bit of towing. When driven conservatively, I experienced 25 mpg on a trip from NY to Vermont! It is an amazing vehicle and has been very reliable. I have had very few issues with the vehicle and the only disappointing factor is the rapid depreciation. I picked it up when it was 4 months old with 4000 miles for 20k, so Im in a better situation than most who purchased these vehicles new, but based off my ownership experience and total and complete satisfaction, I would recommend a Durango to anyone looking for the extra space and ability to tow.

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  Love my challenger - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By zippy - October 14 - 2:30 am

  Just bought my challenger and I love it. It is absolutely the coolest car on the road for the price. I am impressed by the interior design and the stereo is great. Mine has the GPS and it is very user friendly. This is a car I may actually keep for awhile.

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  Avenger 08 SXT in NE Texas - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By Connie - October 12 - 9:43 pm

  I love this car, and it handles so well. I have put 9000 miles on it as I work for the state and travel a good bit. It can handle any traffic conditions and very good gas mileage. I actually get more than the stats that were stated when I bought it. The cooler thing is not what I thought it would be but the satellite radio has spoiled this ole gals music experience, I can never be without it again. And the spoiler and moonroof makes me feel younger. Not! But hey, nice car.

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  Least Expensive Truck with 6010 Gvwr - 2007 Dodge Dakota
  By Autoservicecenter - October 12 - 11:28 am

  I needed a truck that met the weight requirement of over 6000 lbs and over a 6 ft box to qualify for IRS Section 179 100% tax depreciation in the first year. I did not want a big full sized truck to do it, so I searched the market and found 2. The Honda Ridgeline and the Dakota. The Ridgeline was underpowered. The Dakota is perfect. GVWR of 6010 lbs and a 6.6 ft box meet Section 179 requirements. I test drove other 4x4s and only the Dakota rides perfect on rough roads - not to loose and not jarring stiff. The cabin is nice and quiet at interstate speeds. The 4.7 L High Output V8 pulls hard on hills, blasts around when passing traffic, tows 7500lbs and gets 20 highway mpg.

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  Fun Fun FUN! - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By B. Stepan - October 11 - 10:00 am

  I had been planning on purchasing a Subaru WRX Sedan... Until I test drove the SRT-4... Having driven an 03 SRT- 4, I had been somewhat dissapointed. The 04 however, corrected most of my concern simply by adding the limited slip Differential. Traction off the line is unbelievable for a light weight front wheel drive vehicle. My SRT-4 routinely beats the WRX off the line along with more traditional sports cars like Mustangs, Camaros and the likes. This car is, simply put, just fun to drive. I look for excuses just to drive it down the street.

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  Good car for the money. - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By Bigfoot - October 11 - 12:36 am

  Bought this car 1 1/2+ years ago for $7500 and have put 20,000+ miles on it. Knowing what I know now would buy it again. Only problems Ive had are Ive had to replace the front brake pads twice already. I put in the least expensive pads. But other than that this had been real good dependable car. Plenty of power for passing and in the hills. Decent gas mileage as Ive always gotten 29-30 any time Ive checked it. Also pretty comfortable car. My hip dont get stiff and sore on longer trips like it does when I drive my Jeep.