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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  Still good as new - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By luvmycharger - June 10 - 9:24 pm

  This car has help up extremely well, the paint is the only thing I take issue with as there is some light fading only. Interior has help up very well, leather still in great shape. Performance is as strong as it was when new, brakes still strong with the original pads!!! Gas mileage varies with how hard you hit the HEMI, set the cruise at 70 and get 26.5 mpg, set it at 60 and get between 30-31 mpg! The best part is while getting those mpg #s it will still hit 60 in under 6 seconds, I think the only car I would replace this with would be the Challenger R/T or SRT- 8 or another Charger R/T or SRT-8. They all run as good as they look, plus they can carry 4 or 5 people in comfort and style.

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  Dodge Stratus: Built to be a Rental Car - 2001 Dodge Stratus
  By turtledude558 - June 10 - 4:01 am

  This car is BLAND. Nothings gone wrong for the time that Ive owned it, but theres just nothing special about this car. Exterior is anonymous and blends in with other cars and the interior feels cheap. Fuel economy is weak and power from the V6 is only adequate. Ride is decent when on smooth surfaces. Cars composure is easily lost when driving over bumps. Annoying high-pitched noise can be heard when depressing the accelerator (but not accelerating hard).

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  Love My New Car - 2010 Dodge Avenger
  By Tracie - June 9 - 8:06 pm

  This car is fabulous! I wanted something that was fun and had enough power to make driving a good time but not enough to get me in trouble. I also wanted something that was the right size for a growing family. This car fits all of my needs and the added extras like the media center just sweeten the deal. Its fun and it fits the zippy mom car role I was looking for

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  fun car - 2003 Dodge Viper
  By jim mathy - June 9 - 7:42 pm

  I have owned four corvettes, two 911s a 930 Porsche a Ferrari and the viper is my favorite, it doesnt ride like a Porsche but it handles better in the corners and just has the raw hp. Its watched where ever you go, hard to ride under the radar. The car is easy to work on compared to a Ferrari or Porsche and it is so much less to maintain when it comes to service and parts. Its a truly drivable car.

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  Small truck, V8 power! - 1992 Dodge Dakota
  By B. Lange - June 9 - 12:18 pm

  Great little truck! Had an 02 GMC Z71 and this 318 Dakota outran it and is much more dependable. Only has 95,000 on it with no rust at all. Does have fresh paint 4 yrs ago. Would definitely recommend a dodge!

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  Emotional Choice, But No Regrets - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By veblenesque - June 8 - 11:56 am

  I was in the market for a manual transmission car to drive to work (I also have an older Boxster). I wanted something fun to drive and safe that provided some driving fun. I went to look at the new Mustang and found an 09 Challenger in the used lot. I drove both, and just couldnt shake the fact that the Challenger is just a better looking car that provides the perfect blend of retro muscle car thrills. Yes, it wont outhandle or outrun the mustang, but I smile every time I look at it and love listening to the sound of the engine and the smooth ride on my drive home. Navigation and bluetooth phone are much improved. Soft handling that still corners well when pushed. Love this car.

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  We bought a lemon! - 2010 Dodge Journey
  By junk - June 8 - 6:58 am

  My wife and I purchased this $30,000 dollar headache, has been in shop 9 times and left us on side the road waiting on a tow. Dodge has only allowed us only one rental, my wife drives an hr to work and has had to buy a $800.00 car so she wont get fired and they have been very rude on the phone. We have had many issues with the journey. We bought a lemon please beware, once they sell them to you they are done they dont care. Thank you, upset in KY.

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  Junk - 2008 Dodge Caliber
  By Mark - June 7 - 11:35 pm

  Its a 70,000 mile car. After that- look out. Alternator clutch- starter- tranny runs rough. Just not made for someone who needs dependability. And since its "fairly new" part prices are outrageous. $200 for a starter. $120 for an alternator clutch. What the hell is that?

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  Best SUV ever owned. - 2007 Dodge Durango
  By Ed - June 7 - 9:17 pm

  3 years ago I went to the dealer and I was looking for a Black Dodge Durango SLT, Hemi of course, until the salesman told me that they only had a Durango Night Runner on transit to the dealer and I obviously said YES!. Owning this truck for 3 years has been a great experience with a perfect and powerful engine with great performance, great interior, and nice black chrome wheels. Its got about 37,000 miles and Ive never ever had any problems. All I can say is that ITS THE PERFECT CHOICE.

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  Loved my 2006 Dakota - 2006 Dodge Dakota
  By Dakota Lover - June 7 - 9:06 pm

  I recently lost my 2006 Dodge Dakota 8- cylinder quad cab 2WD due to a weather related accident. But in the 3 1/2 years I owned my Dakota, I absolutely loved driving it every time I got behind the wheel and had zero problems with it in the time I owned it. As I was so completely satisfied with my 2006 Dakota in the time I owned it, I wanted to post a post-ownership review for the benefit of those who are considering purchasing one. The only bit of advice I would have is to opt for the 4-wheel drive version, though, since the 2-wheel drive version is real-wheel drive.