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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  Dont buy it used - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By tsbcat - May 11 - 8:57 pm

  I loved the style of this car when it first came out--a mini version of my hubbys magnum. That love affair ended as soon as the first rain hit my city. The car had an interior water leak that to this day can not be found and fixed. I had to replace the shocks due to cracking (under warranty). Constant issues with starting the car, blown gear shifter fuse due to constant jumping even though I was told the battery was good. And when I brake over a gritty surface with new tires, fully inflated the car has a tendency to slide. I think I got a lemon but it sounds like a lot of people have issues with this car

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  smile every time i start it - 2010 Dodge Challenger
  By wanderson - May 11 - 8:13 pm

  other then a few minor problems (witch the dealer fix with no issues) my frist non family car has brought me much enjoyment, i am curently adding extras to make it mine. very fun to drive, turns heads, and performs.

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  stick with ford or toyota - 1993 Dodge Dakota
  By theduke - May 11 - 8:11 pm

  that was the worst 1000$ ive ever spent. this is the worst driving truck ive ever owned. it skips in reverse or 4L. it seems to be one problem after another, and i plan to sale this truck and get a 90s model F150 or a 86-89 toyota 4x4. i will never buy another dodge.

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  Good Rental Car - 2008 Dodge Caliber
  By JW2467 - May 10 - 8:03 pm

  The Dodge Caliber should be a hit with rental car companies. My car is reliable, and it gets good MPG. BUT it is very uncomfortable to ride in this car. Not much room for anything. Rear inside blind does not come out, so it really limits what you can put in the back. Went to trade it off, and found out Calibers do not hold there value at all. My next car will not be a Dodge, cause I am not thrilled with this car.

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  Ridiculous location for spare tire - 2006 Dodge Caravan
  By dcbpe - May 10 - 12:07 pm

  My wife and I purchased our Caravan in 2008, and have had largely no problems with it. Then I came across the location of the spare tire. Putting the spare under the van under the front seats is the most asinine place Ive ever seen for a spare tire. I was changing the tire in my driveway, on a nice day, and found it to be a most aggravating experience. I can only imagine how a person is supposed to do this while stopped on the side of the road in inclement weather. I am a licensed professional engineer, and I work on my cars. I am no novice. This system was designed by an imbecile, and he/she ought to be fired. I will never again by a car without checking where the spare is.

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  Love Love Love this car! - 2010 Dodge Challenger
  By Kristin - May 10 - 10:21 am

  I love my 2010 Challenger. I cannot say enough good things about it. The style on the outside, the style on the inside (take a look at a 70s interior...)this car gets plenty of compliments and stares. If a 1970 was a practical everyday car...i might have gotten one of those...but a 2010 works just fine! When it was time for me to buy a car...i refused to get anything other than this. I saved for months and months and finally got my "dream car" I never want to own anything other than a Challenger. I am IN LOVE with this car. Oh...and Im a 23 yeard old lady )

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  Good Vehicle for the Price - 2008 Dodge Caliber
  By Jeepman1976 - May 9 - 4:00 pm

  I recently purchased a 2008 Dodge Caliber to help me with my new career. I went from working for a Dodge dealer to an outside salesman with a differant company. I bought the car because I new the data about the vehicle and so far am very impressed with it. I put about 3,000 miles a month on and have averaged between 29 to 34 mpg. I have owned Jeeps for most of my life but with this new job I needed fuel milage and the Caliber did not sit low to the ground like a car which was really appealing to me.

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  best first car i could have hoped for - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By mpickett - May 9 - 1:10 am

  i bought my neon used from the original owner. ive had it for about 7 months now. this is also my first car that i bought myself. after spending two months looking for the right car, one that was cheap and good quality, i found that i made a great dicision. the guy i bought the car from took great care of it and so it still looks fantastic, and runs very well too. i like only having to spend 25 dollars for a gas fill up too. and the sound system is terrific with sub woofers and an amp in the trunk. plus, it attracts a lot of peoples attention with the spoiler and ground effects. overall, i think i made a great choice with a car that im sure will last me a very long time.

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  Nice SUV - 2007 Dodge Durango
  By Eric - May 9 - 12:57 am

  We have had our Durango for almost three years now. We bought it for the Hemi and its towing capacity. We have three kids and need the third row seat as well. Ball joints needed replacing at 45K miles, non- greasable. I would have expected a little more mileage.

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  All Around Performer - 1994 Dodge Caravan
  By Eric - May 8 - 10:35 pm

  Purchased from private party with 97K miles. Now has 233K miles and still running strong and body still solid. 3.3L engine has plenty of power to pull my 16 boat. Hauls kids, plywood and sofas with comfort and ease. Cant say enough great things about it. The new 2010 models arent as nice as this one. It will surely be missed when it comes time to part with it.