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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  Favorite car Ive owned so far. - 2010 Dodge Journey
  By ender626 - March 18 - 12:39 pm

  I was shopping for a mid-size SUV and pretty much looked at what every major car company had to offer in the $25,000 dollar range. I love this car because its style is timeless, not too boxy and not too round. The SXT is also a V6, which is great. I test drove the SE model and found that the V4 wasnt powerful enough for the weight of the car. Test drive them both!

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  Quiet, very Quiet - 2010 Dodge Journey
  By sherian4746@yahoo.com - March 17 - 7:09 pm

  I just bought the Journey because it was the most reasonably priced cross-over out there and I have been nothing but pleasingly surprised at the quality. It is the most quiet ride I have had in any vehicle for a long time. It looks great and is a blast to drive. Only downside is that I cant find any aftermarket wheels to fit. Id buy it again in a heartbeat!

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  Power steering 2004 Dodge Dakota 2004 - 2004 Dodge Dakota
  By TAJL - March 17 - 1:56 pm

  At 53,000 miles the power steering has gone out, I have been told it will cost between $450.00 and $1500. If both p/s pump and rack are shot. I feel with only 53,000 miles and all the problems I have seen on the Internet this problem should be taken care of by the factory.

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  TANK! - 1999 Dodge Intrepid
  By smiley - March 17 - 7:12 am

  I have owned my 99 intrepid for about 6 months put it through hell and back. a week after i got it i smeared a deer. sat in the garage till Jan. got the new door and fender that was messed up from hitting the deer. yesterday i rear ended someone and totaled his car. only scratched my car. I hit him doing 40. and Im still driving it. no problems besides deployed airbags now. Love this car! Im getting another one!

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  Im in love! - 2008 Dodge Challenger
  By MiamiMike - March 16 - 10:54 am

  As a former BMW and Acura driver, I am accustomed to quality and reliability along with performance. I must say, this Dodge is the best car I have ever owned! Its comfortable, quiet and fast. It is also the best looking car on the road. The dealer service is also outstanding. Dodge has finally done it!

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  Great Car! - 2010 Dodge Caliber
  By Great Car! - March 16 - 10:18 am

  I love this car! It has performed so well, and has been a joy to drive. I love the smoothness of the transition and the quietness of the cabin. It has been everything I wanted!

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  srt8 - 2008 Dodge Charger
  By Dave Hicks - March 16 - 12:52 am

  My wife and I love this car. It turns heads everywhere we go. Dont buy this car if you dont like being approached by strangers. The engine is so damned powerful, I love getting on the expressway, youre doing over 80 before you realize it. the ride is pretty smooth for a lowered performance car, the 6 speaker Boston Acoustics sound system is great, the seats are perfect , its a race car when you floor the gas pedal, but smooth and quiet when you dont feel like playing nascar. Its the perfect car, good job Dodge, I LOVE IT!

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  Not bad, but explore the alternatives - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By kevinap2 - March 15 - 10:26 pm

  This is no doubt a fun car to drive, especially for a family sedan. However, Ive had to do a lot of work to it. New trans (I bought it at 53k, it now has 79k), new head gasket, new water pump, brake switch, all 4 power window regulators, an alternator, a weather strip on the top side of the windshield that came loose and flopped around, the blower motor resistor, and an intermittent rough idle that 3 new sets of plugs and two new sets of wires never fixed and is apparently unexplainable. I also have a control arm making noise right now. That said, I do enjoy driving this car... just not the frequent trips to the shop.

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  Horrible brakes - 2010 Dodge Nitro
  By tia - March 15 - 5:05 pm

  When brakes are applied and shift in reverse, it makes a horrible grinding sound. I took in to be looked at. I was informed it was normal due to metallic brake pads. I would not have bought it if I had known it.

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  Front end problems - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Bowtech71 - March 15 - 3:15 pm

  I bought the RT model in spring 2007. For the first 7 months, I could not have enough driving time with my car, it was great! lots of fun. But after 8 months, the 2 front shocks needed replacement. I couldnt believe it. Lucky, they where under warranty. I had them changed. Almost a year later, they needed changing again!! Then, afte the warranty ran out, the 2 front tables where finished, $300.00 each just for the parts! All this changed and know I think there is a rack and pinion problem, because it stills makes awful noises and one front shock is, for the 3rd time in need of replacement. I wish I could bring it back to the dealership and leave it there!! its everything but economic...