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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  Love my Stratus - 2001 Dodge Stratus
  By Love the Stratus - July 10 - 12:10 am

  Okay so Im 18 and I just graduated high school. Im a typical teen and I really push my car like all teens do lol. I have the 2001 Dodge Stratus 4 door SE Sedan with the 2.4L V4 and i love it! It was my cousins car and its mine now. It was originally a rental car so tons of people have driven it including my cousin and me and lets say were not the best drivers ha ha. I love my stratus. For a midsize sedan with only a V4 its a great little car. I love the interior and exterior. I love the aggressive dodge look it has from the front. Also for a V4 it preforms well. Its not bad on gas, its 20 city and 28 highway. It could be better but its okay for me. I love it and i would recommend it to anyone!

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  Good buy - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By GMC - July 9 - 2:33 pm

  I bought this last Oct (2.7 v6) despite the bad reviews and have not regretted it. Im not sure why it gets ripped. I just got back from a 2000 mi vacation expecting the wheels to fall off at anytime and I never had 1 issue. What I did get was a smooth ride and great fuel economy. The only time this has been in the shop has been for 3 recalls and the front passenger door needed adjusted. I agree with the plastic interior comments but I knew that when I got it.

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  Buying American again good bye toyoya! - 2008 Dodge Avenger
  By GARY - July 9 - 12:33 pm

  I cant believe how critical everyone is. Complaining about the plastic interior being to plastic, excuse me if this car doesnt have that fake Lexus plastic dash. The seats are to hard! It sounds to me you are all to old to be driving. This car blows away any Toyota I have previously owned. I bought the 2.7 V6 engine and getting 27 mpg. It rides better then a Fusion, or Camry. The interior is logically laid out and the ride is excellent. The Dodge 4- speed tranny shifts great. 100% better the Toyota 4-speed tranny which constantly mis-shifts. The price with all the options blows away the competitors, the lifetime warranty may have some uncertainties but what the hell its better then just 3-yr

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  Just Bought It - 2008 Dodge Challenger
  By Dave Carcaise - July 8 - 12:07 am

  This is a excellent car to drive. I love my new SRT8. Hemi orange, 6.1 Hemi, Auto Stick, Kicker stereo system w/nav and Sirius sat radio. This is a must have for the car enthusiast.

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  Its been wonderful - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By Terry - July 7 - 9:39 pm

  Its been almost four years and, other than gas and oil, the car has cost me a set of tires, spark plugs, and a battery. I couldnt be happier. Zero quality problems. Ive got just over 59,000 miles and it still runs like new. Dollar for dollar, this may be the best car sold in the U.S. in 2004.

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  2007 Nitro - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By beckyv84 - July 7 - 8:41 am

  This is probably one of the best mid- sized inexpensive SUVs Ive driven or rode in. Its a smooth ride and definitely an attention getter. Ive gotten as many compliments on this as I did on my Formula Firebird! The cabin is roomy and versatile and the electric outlet is great for charging my camera batteries! The only downsides I can point out are the ability to hear outside noise, (Its not over the top, but not as quiet as I would have expected), and it would be nice if the back hatch opened a little higher than it does. It would also be nice if there was a back hatch release on the key fob. Overall, I feel it is an exceptional vehicle for the price and I enjoy it immensely.

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  SLT Plus Is a Winner - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By BrentTX - July 6 - 9:00 pm

  I have had my Durango for a year, and I have really enjoyed. The 5.9 V8 is quite powerful, and great in passing situations and off-the-line. Styling and room are great. Ride quality is smooth for a truck-based SUV, and much better than previous Explorer. The flat-folding third row sear is a big plus.

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  Good car with great mods - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By sam - July 6 - 6:52 pm

  I bought the car for my wife, we have had it for 6 months and the only thing it has needed was an oil change. It came with after market mods like act Clitch and AEM air intake and Borla exhaust system. And aftermarket stereo system.

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  Very pleased and so is my son - 2008 Dodge Caliber
  By vlyntr - July 5 - 11:37 pm

  We were looking for a vehicle that has great mpg for our youngest son to go to college-At this time he is driving a 2004 Dodge Ram Quad Cab 4X4 and his sister drives a 2005 Dodge Ram-we checked out the Scion, the Smartfor2, the KiaRio5 and many others, test drove and checked the prices. Today, we bought a Brilliant Black SXT, many options, he is so on cloud nine and very pleased and happy. He fits in it and going to college on football scholarship, he thinks it is a very cool vehicle, good on the mpg and it fits what he needs. My husband also drove it, I sat in it. I liked all the amenities and wouldnt have bought it if we didnt think it was a great buy. And 5 star crash rating!! Go Caliber!

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  Great Car - 2008 Dodge Challenger
  By Dan - July 5 - 10:43 pm

  I own a 2007 C6 Corvette, a 2008 GT 500 Shelby a 2007 Mustang GT and now a 2008 SRT8 Hemi Orange Dodge Challenger. I have to say that I LOVE every one of these cars but the Dodge Challenger really sticks out. The car is just great. Waited 6 months for delivery and it was well worth it. This car of all the new American muscle cars will definitely remind you of the original more than the vette or the Shelby. People will stop me on the road to look at it. Some get confused if it is a 1970s restored car or a new car. It is that similar to a 70s car. The car definitely looks better in person than the pictures. Way to go Dodge. Be proud of building a real American car. Would love to see a "CUDA