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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  SXT AWD 3.5, best car I have ever owned! - 2008 Dodge Magnum
  By JN - June 11 - 2:29 pm

  I went to the dealership thinking I wanted to charger. I started looking at the Magnums, but I did not like the headlights. I went home and was reading a magazine that the 2008 model will be the last year, but will come with a completely new front end. The 08 front end looks better than the Charger or the 300. I ordered one immediately. This is the coolest looking car I have ever owned. It is built well, rides great, and performs great! I usually get a new car every year because I put on about 50k a year, but I think I will keep this one at least 2 years. This will probably be a classic as only one year for the new design and the last year, with few made! Absolutely awesome car!

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  Move from Jeep to Durango - 2004 Dodge Durango
  By pcc122 - June 11 - 10:00 am

  I had a Jeep 2001 Grand Cherokee, and i did love it expect it was to small in lodging. I was always lowering the seats to get more storage inside. I deciueded to trade it in for something bigger. I did check all the other suv on the market and thats the one i decieded to get. I have now 40 miles on it and i realy love the way it handles the road and espacialy in cornering. Now i have a seven seatter compare to 5 i had before. Now all my grandkids can fit in and no one is left behind.

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  Lots of Compliments - 2008 Dodge Charger
  By Chargerking - June 10 - 9:14 pm

  I love this car so far. I have only driven it 700 miles so far. Be prepared to get compliments daily about the style. I got the se plus with the 3.5 L. O. V-6 that supplies surprising performance and fair gas mileage. The 18 inch aluminum rims and brilliant black metallic makes it look stunning. Tons of interior room, very comfortable and is a pleasant choice from the boring cookie cutter cars. Highly recommend!

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  Grand Dads Hot Rod - 2006 Dodge Magnum
  By Dandeman - June 10 - 10:27 am

  This Inferno Red number turns the heads of young and old. This is not your ordinary grandads wagon.

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  My best vehicle ever - 2003 Dodge Caravan
  By Marcel - June 8 - 7:32 pm

  Drives with great comfort with ease. Not really much more to say. I love it. My wife has a Sebring and we love it too.

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  Great Van, Better than Honda & Toyota - 2003 Dodge Caravan
  By Tim Jessup - June 8 - 3:50 pm

  Have 45,000 miles of trouble-free miles on this van. Own a 1985 Voyager with 199,000 miles (still have original alternator and most other original components in the 2.2 L engine) and a 1995 Caravan with 140,000 miles (only replaced AC compressor in 12 years). Get over 27 mpg on trips (using Mobil I motor oil. Get 18-20 mpg around town. Gotten better service than coworker who has a 2002 Honda Oddysey and has had transmission, breaks, and AC problems, already with barely 50,000 miles (so much for Honda quality!). Acceleration is smooth and runs well and regular grade gas, unlike many imports. Our van also runs on E85 fuel, though this is not available in our area. I recommend highly for you

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  1995 Doge Caravan (3.3L) - 1995 Dodge Caravan
  By Tim Jessup - June 8 - 3:35 pm

  140,000+ miles, & perfectly pleased with ours. We own 2 others, one a 1985 with 199,000 miles and the other is a 2003 with 45,000 miles. With the 1995, we have only replaced the AC compressor in 12+ years (not counting a recall for the rear window wiper). Get 27 miles on hwy (2 less in summer with AC) 19-20 around town. Acceleration is strong and smooth for a van. I laugh at buyers of Honda and Toyota vans when Dodge invented and continues to perfect theirs. My nephew had a Honda Odyssey and replaced the tranny twice at 100,000 not to mention sliding door, brake and other probs. Encouraged friend at work to trade his Ody for a Caravan due to too many expensive repairs.

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  Such a great car for fun and commuting! - 2017 Dodge Challenger
  By Lucas - June 8 - 4:06 am

  I traded in my 2015 Tacoma TRD Off Road for a 2017 SXT Plus. I LOVE IT!!! It handles amazingly and has such great acceleration. Throw it into sport mode and have even more fun with the paddle shifters. I have never been a fan of paddle shifters, but with this car, I make do! The ONLY complaint I have and thing I would change is the brakes feel much softer than I would like for such a high performance car. The only negative I have so far.

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  Highly recommended - but hard to find - 2002 Dodge Intrepid
  By Moparz3X - June 7 - 4:11 pm

  I purchased this car after my 2001 Chrysler Concorde was hit by an off-duty cop. The 3.5 L motor is the best. Great power, high MPG (25 MPG in Denver, 30 MPG on highway). Highly reliable and extremely comfortable. I wish Dodge/Chrysler hadnt quit making this car - it is much roomier than the Charger/300 replacement. I put 18K on the car each year and not problems whatsoever. If you find one that has been maintained (Im a mechanic) youll be pleased.

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  Dodge Caliber - 2008 Dodge Caliber
  By Jobs Beno - June 5 - 12:57 pm

  I took delivery of my 2008 Caliber SXT on 5/24/08 - I ordered it as it was the only way for me to get the 1.8L/5- Sp Manual configuration. The black paint is awesome! I love the car. Ride and handling are great - the 17" wheel/tire combo works well. The manual tranny allows me a great range of driving styles and the 1.8 L I4 has plenty of power as far as Im concerned. The seats are comfortable and the rear legroom is more than satisfactory. Fit and finish are tops and the car is absolutely solid all the way around. I have no complaints about build materials - its all top notch! Chicks dig it too.