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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  I love it! - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By Larry Webster - October 10 - 6:53 am

  Had a Infinity G35. That car was in the shop countless times. So I went over to the Dodge store and bought this one off the showroom floor. WOW! Great performance! Great interior and engine. Blows the Infiniti away in every aspect.

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  Roomy, Quiet Oasis in Traffic - 2008 Dodge Magnum
  By Ken - October 8 - 4:19 pm

  Being 64" tall, interior room is very important. Ive had the Magnum since February, and at first was worried about the 2.7 L V6, but having driven it to the east coast, over the mountains, was surprised with the power of the car. Extremely quiet ride, nice stereo system. Absolutely zero build problems, no mechanical problems with the car at all. Have to join the chorus that is sorry that they are not building this car any more, really love it. Traded in a 1995 Dodge Spirit with 120K miles, this car is a whole different ride altogether. Also considered Cadillac DTS and Buick Lucerne, Magnum has a better quieter ride and is roomier.

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  Love this car! - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By DsM - October 8 - 2:23 pm

  Great car for the price. It has very decent acceleration for the size and can handle turns at fairly high speeds. Im used to driving smaller Japanese cars so this was a change. Going with the 3.5 L helps with gas and the overall look of the car(did not like the silver gas cover or wing on the r/t) I also like that the price is 8k less than the r/t. If you go base model, get the G package because it comes with bigger rims and fog lights. Its only $2000 more. But the overall feel is the best Ive felt in a long time and it gets the most looks(even in L.A.).I drive in a lot of traffic so Im averaging a little under 290 miles to the tank. costs $58 to fill up where Im At.

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  Finally - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Batch - October 7 - 12:13 am

  Have been looking few a new car for some time and was ready to settle until I drove by the Dodge dealer. Great looks great ride could not be happier and what a head turner, I have received numerous thumbs up as I drive by, it is amazing the reactions that I get. I find myself driving out of my way when I go places. For me, it put the fun back in driving.

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  big boy hotrod - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By ken - October 6 - 9:13 am

  For a big car, it drives small. Alot of fun to drive. Corners great, and has alot of power.Im 67" and I have plenty of room, head and leg. Love all the looks I get with this car.

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  Would buy again - 2007 Dodge Durango
  By Family Man - October 6 - 9:07 am

  We have had the other body style durango, & several Dodge trucks & enjoy this one. We bought the Durango about a month ago and I have put 3000 miles on it already and have not made my first payment. Fun to drive, good road view, nice sounding V8. We come from mustangs, trucks and a Dodge Mini Van. The Durango has as much room as a van but needs more oomph out of the hole and it got that in 08. We saved a ton of cash on this buying it with 20k miles on it. Also has synthetics in rear & front diffs. from factory. I will run full synthetic in the motor soon as well. I drive a lot and wanted something safe for my family and myself. Our kids love it over our mini van since they can see out better.

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  Great Car - 2008 Dodge Caliber
  By joeslo - October 5 - 1:07 pm

  I love my new Caliber. It is fun to drive. I avg. 30 miles per gallon on the first 2 tanks of gas. The only neg. is the road noise you hear inside. I think the Firestone tire are very aggressive, causing the noise.

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  love my magnum - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By sardac - October 5 - 10:00 am

  this has been a most fun car, I gave it to my wife as a birthday present is very fast handles very well on the road and gets excellent mileage if you keep your foot outa it. It is bit shy on ground clearance . The dealer service has been excellent and I have not has a problems to speak of. still enjoying it.

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  Just Bought One - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By jnitschke - October 5 - 10:00 am

  The 3.7l v6 provides ample performance, although if I had the cash Id have bought the V8--quieter and smoother ride (drove both) but the big v6 is no slouch and its quieter than other vehicles I test drove. The exterior is a head turner. The interior is more than comfortabe witht he leather seats. Despite what the reviews said I didnt find the stereo to be difficult to operate, however the reviewers are on the money when it comes to rear visibility--the wide posts leave wide gaps in your rear view. Overall I love it.

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  A sad ending to twins - 1993 Dodge Dakota
  By firephool - October 3 - 1:01 pm

  Dad bought this red truck used with 100,000 mi when I was in High School. I took it to school b/c of bad weather and ended up totaling it. bought a matching one in blue. and that lasted under very stressful driving including some unexpected offroading that required be to buy a new bed and replace a couple windows. I loved the V8 in that truck great fuel mileage for a v8 pick-up. but alas fate has its marker. She died b/c my father flat-toed her. :( she would have lasted forever and a day if it wasnt for that.