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:

• 

  Happy I found this car - 2006 Dodge Stratus
  By Patrick - July 22 - 12:32 pm

  I bought this car in December of 06 and have been happy ever since. The mileage on the highway is incredible. If I keep the tires correctly inflated and use cruise-control I get over 30 mpg. In town is another story. The mileage plunges. I used to think poorly of Dodge until I owned this. It is very comfortable for me, though it isnt as refined as a more expensive luxury car. But for the price I am willing to overlook some small drawbacks such as cheap dashboard plastic. The interior is ergonomically perfect, not too flashy and not too sparse. Overall this has been perfect for me. One more thing, Dodge made it very easy to perform the maintenance on this car and save money.

• 

  Family Muscle Car - 2007 Dodge Charger
  By tabill - July 21 - 10:58 pm

  Ive read the other reviews and cant believe that no one has mentioned that its hard to see the traffic light because of the low window. Overhead lights hard to see, have to duck down. You have to look at the traffic light to the left, in Chicago. The R/T drives like it just wants to keep going and never stop. It really takes off on the highway. City driving in Chicago is about 16/17 mpg. Havent taken the care on a trip, but am sure the multiple displacement cylinders would do wonders for mileage.

• 

  The Best! - 2008 Dodge Nitro
  By FASANI - July 20 - 8:13 pm

  Got the diesel version for outside the US market (I live in Chile, South America). Great car, beautiful, nice equipped, good interior and exterior nice. Not a single noise inside and I drive at least 10 miles a day on unpaved roads as I live in the farm. Great on mud and tried it on sand. The diesel engine is incredible. Fast and silent. Not a single problem. May be a little soft suspension, but thats good when you need it to drive on highways, as it feel as a tall car. Good rear seats space. I had many cars, including Grand Cherokees, Mercedes, etc., and this is different and great. I enjoy to drive it every day.

• 

  Pure Awesomeness - 2006 Dodge Stratus
  By Mac - July 20 - 9:16 am

  This case has a rear spoiler and is SO sporty looking for a sedan. I am in college and wanted a car that was reliable, roomy, and good on gas. Didnt want a coupe! So sporty, smooth ride, and UNBELIEVABLY cheap. Great car, would suggest!

• 

  Powerful economy car - 2008 Dodge Caliber
  By jbiscuit86 - July 18 - 11:33 pm

  Very nice car for the price. It just goes to show that economy cars dont have to be boring.

• 

  Vroom Vroom - 1998 Dodge Dakota
  By Clay - July 18 - 6:27 pm

  Bought it used with 80,000 miles and it still runs like new. This 3.18 magnum v8 will melt the tires :-)... Fuel economy is around 18 average, which is quite satisfactory for a mid- size v8 truck. What can I say. The power is amazing

• 

  My Magnum - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By cc - July 18 - 3:26 am

  Before I purchased my dream car, I had read and read and read everything I could find on it. While doing the test drive thing at several dealers, my husband would always ask, Why dont you try the Chrysler 300 but my mind was made up long before getting behind the wheel....Just the sleek look, especially in the Black. I wanted the everything that the Hemi version had but didnt want the added insurance costs, plus the chance of any speeding tickets so I found an Special Edition SXT with everything I wanted. After after almost a year of driving it, and still answering questions from complete strangers, I am still in love with it! So easy to drive, comfortable and secure..

• 

  2008 Durango - Great Truck - 2008 Dodge Durango
  By Cooter - July 17 - 12:19 pm

  What a great vehicle. This truck drives and handles like a luxury car and is quiet. Almost 19 MPG on the HWY isnt too bad either. Not sure why I dont see these advertised. Gives me plenty of room to travel with a family of 4 and large dog.

• 

  We just LOVE this car - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Barbara & Mike - July 17 - 10:00 am

  People ask What is it?? I love it! Can we look inside? Is it a car or a SUV, heads turn on the street when you drive by. We traded in a Mercedes SUV and didnt look back! I love the way it handels through town and on the highway, cloth seats are very comfortable,

• 

  Best Damn Car, Period! - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By lefthandedpollock - July 17 - 10:00 am

  Without a question, this new vehicle is stout! Handles like a dream and corners without stressing. My family loves the room and utility. Dodge scores BIG with this one!