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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  Black Pearl SRT8 - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By Black Pearl - May 20 - 11:57 am

  I bought the 09 SRT8 in December of 09. This car is the best machine I have ever owned. I dont drive it daily usually bring it out on the weekends. Its not ever to cold to drive it in AZ so I can drive it year round. The 6.1 hemi runs like a wild animal. At full open throttle the exhaust sounds like music to my ears.

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  I Hate my Charger - 2007 Dodge Charger
  By Ebailey - May 20 - 8:42 am

  When this car came out I was determined to get one, especially since I had to sell my 72 Cutlass. I could only afford the base model. This motor (2.7) is good on gas but lacks power. After a year the tranny had to be replaced, that same year the engine began to tick. Took it to a dealer in Manassas at least four times and they could never find the problem until after my warranty expired. Which was another issue b/c I was told I had the Lifetime warranty but only had a 36,000 mile warranty. So now I ride around town with my music up loud to block out the lifters ticking. Which i have to pay $1200 to get fixed.

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  92 Forest Service Dodge Dakota - 1992 Dodge Dakota
  By Darin Thomas - May 18 - 10:47 pm

  This truck is great for heavy work and off-road play. With it 3.9 liter V6 Magnum and its strong design, It has far surpassed my exspectations in any mid-size truck of its time. I love the feel, the look and the capabilities of this truck. I will never trade or sell this this pick-up. If you are looking for a truck that is low priced and is a work horse this is the truck for you.

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  I love this car - 1998 Dodge Stratus
  By mikoollowrentow - May 18 - 5:33 am

  Got this car used w/100,000 miles on her and she still runs great! Sporty car handles great and very fun to drive. I get great mileage 23/30. Very fast car!

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  Transmission - 2007 Dodge Charger
  By Takasia - May 16 - 5:13 pm

  I have had the shutter since i purchase it. it jerks somtime while driving & i have taken it to dealer several times & they always say cant find anything.It also slows when air is turned on. One day i got into car to leave & was unable to move gear out of park, call dealer & was told right off bat that it was the belt inside gear shift. was told by tow truck driver that it is happening to all the Chrysler & dodge vehicles & they have been towing a lot with that same problem. A lot of people have told me chargers are not a good car & after 50000 miles transmission have to be replaced. Will never buy another chrysler or dodge vehicle.

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  impressive mpg - 2006 Dodge Dakota
  By aaron86004 - May 15 - 4:49 am

  i dont know why other people are complaining this truck has a v8 4x4 add acts like it... it has a lot better mpg than my 2000 ranger 4x4 3.o v6 (never got above 18 mpg) dakota never gets below 19.3 mpg v8 highway.... its a truck you will never get 30 mpg so stop complaining it has excellent gas mileage for a truck...

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  happy with purchase - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By hector - May 14 - 8:19 pm

  satisfied with purchase.3and a half year and is working fine.at 24,300 miles change tires and magically tire noise is no longer,change tail lights 1st year(warranty)and drivers front shock absorber(my pocket)this month.runs well albeit slow in acceleration.my 94 tempo has equal acceleration with the 2.3 engine

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  Small V-6 has plenty of getup - 2008 Dodge Magnum
  By wagonlover - May 14 - 3:13 am

  Ive only had this car 2 weeks and I am pleased so far. I love the comfort and fit of the interior to my five foot frame. I should have bought one new in 08. I own 3 classic wagons with V- 8s and this six cylinder keeps me happy. The ride is smooth and sporty. The interior space is roomy and comparable with my older wagons, you dont find that much nowadays. This is a true grocery-getter.

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  Over 3yrs still runs great - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Guy - May 13 - 2:11 pm

  My parents gave me 2007 Dodge Caliber SXT 2.0 for graduation, it was bought used with 21,000 miles currently it has 68,000. Not sure what all the reliability complains are, keep serviced properly and it will last, simple as that, I change the oil every 3,500 miles synthetic only, just because I heard it is better then conventional specially on CVTs. The CVT did take quite a bit to get used to, but now driving conventional automatic cars just feels wrong. Last week I replaced the standard stereo with a more modern Pioneer with bluetooth, iPod Integration, and USB imputs. I love the styling, looks rather small from the outside, great surprize when you do get in, Im 511 240lbs.

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  best truck - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By pete - May 12 - 6:11 pm

  i wouldent want to buy any other truck but a darango it has served me well win going to buy a truck i will go look for a darango fisrt