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 my Caravan !! - 2000 Dodge Caravan
  By CathyF - August 24 - 7:28 pm

  Bought this vehicle new 8 years ago, kept up on oil changes, never had any major problems with it. Babies are all grown up now and I am "downsizing" to a smaller vehicle. This is a excellent family vehicle, especially for long trips. I would highly recommend this vehicle for large families. Gas mileage was okay, keeping up on tire rotation, tune-ups and oil changes helps.

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  German Design wins out - 2008 Dodge Charger
  By 007 - August 24 - 4:49 pm

  When I first drove it I had already decided not to like it due to my experience with my last Dodge Police car (1982).But the exterior design is so outstanding. When I drove it it felt like my Mercedes, but has the speed of an American muscle car. Its tight, solid fast, and built. It had a mileage problem, but that was taken care of with an air induction system. 3 mpg pickup and 20 extra hp, plus it sounds good! And the transmission is outstanding. Made in Germany! I have had 6 back and neck surgeries, and these are the only adjustable seats I found that make driving a pleasure. Mines solid black and I tinted the Windows legally black. Wow. Ive got an American muscle car in a Mercedes body!

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  Limited with a HEMI? Hooray! - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By popologuy - August 24 - 10:00 am

  Just bought the Durango Limited with the HEMI: Hooray! I drove a Ford Explorer XLT and a Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo: neither car matches up to this SUV. The older Ford (1999) was bumpy like a truck, no third row seat, but had great storage capacity. The Jeep was so narrow that we could barely fit two full-sized people in the back seat with the child safety seat in the middle. And a tiny trunk area: two golf bags at the most and the clubs only just fit between the wheels. But this Durango? Excellent! The ride is great, the power is awesome, theres a comfortable third row and I can take my most chubby friends and relatives anywhere with the kids car seat between them! Great SUV!

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  2005 Grand Caravan SXT - 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Joe Colavito - August 24 - 10:00 am

  The ride is smooth yet firm. The vehicle has adequate power and the drivers seat is roomy and comfortable. The various controls are easily accessible and the gauges are easy to read. It is a pleasure to own and drive this vehicle.

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  Feels Like a $50,000 car - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Jim Nash - August 24 - 4:36 am

  A friend who knows fine cars said that the Hemi-RT feels like a $50,000 car even though my Charger is the $30,000 Charger RT with the fancy red paint as its only option. Every morning turning the key to bring the Hemi V8 to life makes me smile and the power drivers seat and with the lether as well as the multi adjustable wheel and Boston Acustic 6 speaker sound system make this car a very good value at its price point. The Charger feels solid as a bank vault and the attention that this car gets at the store or buying gas makes me feel sort of like a rock star. The 340 HP Hemi will get an honest 24 MPG on the highway if you let it. Bottom line I cant wait for my next drive!

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  Very stylish Car. Everyone Comments - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By ShellyG - August 23 - 10:58 am

  I just recently bought this car...and loved it from the start. Test drove it 3xs before I bought it. The first reason was the style and the second was the AWD option, plus this car is loaded unlike some others I looked at. I agree maybe the console material could be better, but other than that I have no complaints. I get so many comments on this car, better than I ever did on the 05 Mustang I owned, though I dont get the great gas mileage my 07 Sonota did, but its not terrible.

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  Dons Review - 2001 Dodge Stratus
  By Don - August 23 - 1:51 am

  I bought this car with almost 120,000 miles and it drives pretty decent. Ive turned several heads with the cars already stylish exterior, with just a few simple mods. First the cars door molding was shaved to give it the clean look then I painted my calipers and after market black headlights. After some modifications regarding appearance, I then bought a intake and exhaust system and now Im up to about 225 hp. You can definitely feel the power and I especially love the improved 0-60 time.

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  Best Vehicle Ive owned ! - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Ray - August 21 - 7:43 pm

  Plenty of power and gas mileage is where I expected it to be. Ride, I feel is rather stiff. Style and the looks I get are great! I love that autostick shift, WOW what a down shift that is. It will set you back in the seat! LOVE IT!!

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  love it. - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By CarmaxSRT4 - August 20 - 4:01 pm

  I have not had the car long. but i have a sad story. i bought the car on a saturday. by tuesday the trans was blown. it was nothing i did but previous owner neglect. i love the car and cant wait to get it back. the only thing i wish is that the parts were more available

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  2009 Dodge Journey SXT AWD - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By predator0332 - August 20 - 4:40 am

  Our driving and ownership experience with the Dodge Journey so far has been excellent. The Journey has a smooth ride and it is very quite when driving a high speeds.