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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  My Dodge Nitro is Great! - 2008 Dodge Nitro
  By Zack - July 14 - 9:03 pm

  I really enjoy my Dodge Nitro, it handles really well, and is very good on gas, better mileage than I initially thought it would be. This is based because I have owned 4x4 Jeeps and Suzukis. My family of four enjoy riding around together and feel very safe and comfortable in this vehicle. There is nothing bad that I can think of at this time to say about my Dodge Nitro.

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  Love my van - 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan
  By Davie - July 13 - 4:23 pm

  This van has it all. Ive read many people say that the 3.3 is "underpowered" but I dont get it. Are these guys racing? Racing in a minivan? I recently took my family camping in the mountains and had the thing loaded to the gills, and was able to drive to the campground just fine. Above all else, the Stow n Go is the best seating option for my family. I love it! (as an aside, I wonder if Edmunds plans on updating their review of this van with another van in the future. It looks to me like all of their problems were with one van that was probably made on a Firday. Seems harsh not to reccomend a product based on a sampleing of one)

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  I Love My Dodge Magnum - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By ambrosh - July 12 - 10:00 am

  This is perhaps my favorite new car, I lease a new one every 3 years. It has an enormous amount of power and drives like a luxury car.Everywhere I go I get oohs and ahhs.

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  Guiddie Up!!!!! - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Tricia Kaiser - July 12 - 10:00 am

  I never thought I would have so much fun driving a car before. This car has not just Get Up and Go, its got GUIDDIE UP AND GO!!!!! I purchased the V-8 Hemi. Gas Mileage is not so good, but I knew what I was getting myself in to. The car is not an every day driver, but when she comes out of the Garage all she wants to do is run. The Handling around corners and curves is great, the "pick up" when you take off is incredible, and the room inside is amazing. It does not look like there is that much room in this car, but you can fit 5 Adults in there, and no problems. I recommend this car to anyone who has the self control to keep it under 100 mph. Have a great ride, WE DO!!!!

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  MAGNUM-RT - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By duplex - July 12 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE THIS CAR-RIDES AS GOOD AS MY LINCOLN TOWN CAR(99)DID BUT WITH MORE ROOM & A LOT MORE OMPFFF GOOD SOUND SYSTEM & REAL GOOD HANDLING ON CURVES

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  hemi RT - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By garboe1 - July 12 - 10:00 am

  very nice styling...great power...just fun to drive...everyone looks at it, because of its great looks...18 mph is the average with 5000 miles driven so far. i have the dark grey so it does blend in to traffic well, and it is a great match, with the grey interior.the navagation system works so well, and is easy to use I use it all the time

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  Still kicking like Bruce Lee! - 2002 Dodge Neon
  By Wooolstun - July 11 - 1:28 pm

  I have been driving my Neon SXT since 2002 when I bought it and have YET to put a penny in to it, other than tires and brakes. The gas mileage is incredible. With todays gas prices, I put $15 in my tank and get to and from work for 4 days, and its a 30 minute highway drive. As far as the interior comfort, I am 6 7" and fit surprisingly comfortably. Most controls are easily accessible, except maybe the cd changer. The exterior, despite your normal dings, still looks good. I still look at it after a good wash and wax and think "wow, looks pretty good". My overall impression is a positive one. If you keep up with routine maintenance, this car should be good to you!

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  A real blast from the past updated! - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By Joan - July 11 - 6:53 am

  We rented a base SE and loved it so much we went and bought an RT AWD. The performance is outstanding very smooth and the Auto-stick is a ball for having fun on twisty roads. The ride while tight is very smooth with no intrusive harshness. Just right for long rides on both backroads and the interstate. Fuel economy for a large high power v-8 is outstanding! Love the in your face appearance kinda like a bulldog lovable but dont mess with me. I havent had this much fun since my 69 Formula 340-S Cuda. Keep your Mustang and assorted generic import Sport Sedans and wannabe sport cars and tuners this is world beating American muscle with panache. "A Velvet Fist"

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  Stratus R/T Coupe - 2005 Dodge Stratus
  By Carol - July 10 - 1:59 pm

  Got the car used with about 24,000 miles on it. Pretty much like the car except for the fact that the paint is peeling off the front bumper - dont know why - and estimates are approximately $600+ to get it repainted. Also, in really cold, wetter weather, the automatic windows freeze which is inconvenient when pulling into the parking garage at work where I have to scan a card for entrance - new mechanics in door did not help. Otherwise, the car runs great!

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  Totaled Journey - 2009 Dodge Journey
  By Bill - July 10 - 11:16 am

  We had our Journey for 3000 miles, and got T-boned by someone going 60 miles an hour. The car held up extremely well, and the side airbags deployed. Nobody was seriously injured, but the car is a loss. We just ordered a new one. I really like the car design overall, though I admit some of the plastic pieces inside come across as a little cheap. From 55 to 75 (i.e. passing someone) this car will flat fly. It has lots of hidey-holes to store stuff. Our best fuel economy has been 27 mpg on the highway.