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 - 2005 Dodge Stratus
  By Taylor - August 5 - 8:44 pm

  I love my Dodge Stratus. I have owned my stratus for 3 years now. Not that it really matters, but mine is white. I purchased it with 150k miles and have put 30.5k on it in my time driving it. It drives very smooth, and handles nicely. My interior is all black, only cloth, but still very nice. I am very particular about keeping it clean so mine is spotless. It always feels comfortable. The only issue I have with my stratus is that it accelerates slowly. Other than that, this car has been perfect for me. I do not look forward to the fact that mine has so many miles, Im worried itll start to go out soon. This worries me because I dont want to have to get another car, because I love mine!

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  Great commuter with a fun ride - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By EF - August 5 - 6:16 pm

  I bought this vehicle used in 2011 with 89k miles and still currently drive it at 130k. This car has been my favorite to drive out of what Ive had. The 2.7 v6 does a great job and gives you plenty of acceleration. Handling is wonderful handles sharp on winding roads with minimal body lean. it handled exceptional over the Ohio roads in winter for a front wheel drive. The seats became a little uncomfortable on longer rides but not enough to be a major nuisance. No major mechanical work done other than regular maintenance. Had a brake line replaced a year or so ago.

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  4door awd. rtf okay car - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By logan - August 5 - 4:52 pm

  I have a 2007 dodge caliber rt for 4years now and needless to say its been a dependable vehicle love the style and how it rides.. but im at 99400 miles and beginning to run into issues. I have replaced the throttle body ball joint front and back struts and springs/coils exhaust cap. Other then other maintenance thats everything Ive dealt with. I will say though I do not like driving it in winter at all. Just doesnt seem to do as well as Id hope.

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  BIG LET DOWN - 2015 Dodge Challenger
  By Brois - August 5 - 11:21 am

  I special Ordered this unit and it came in with cloth seats next to Zero Options and I paid top Dollar and I am very, very Disappointed. So much as if I wish I never purchased it yes it has 700 HP but thats it! Big , Hard to Handle , Ugly. Not much of finishes or paint Burns Gas like you have a hole in the tank, Even if you tried a HUMMER is like a econo car compared to this one, So far 155 MPH it can do 200 if you have the Balls ! Im staying with Chevy My SS can run rings around this Beast and its fun to drive the Hellcat is like driving a Truck Yep thats it like driving a truck. The dealer was in Larchmont NY they were nice until I signed the paper then it was get lost. My Chevy Dealer in Waterbury CT Vin is the best and treats you right. DODGE is

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  She is My Lady - 2010 Dodge Charger
  By Frank - August 4 - 10:36 pm

  I bought my 2010 Charger SXT used from a family friends dealership. She had 11,900 on her and was a former rental car. That was back in Jan 2011. Nearly five years later, I am so sad that I have begun looking at new cars. But its not due to poor aging. This car is as magnificent as the day I got her. I love my Midnight with all my heart. Maintaining her has been childs play. Oil and fluids on schedule and only had to replace the brakes, rotors, and tires once. Everything else is original equipment. There have been no major problems. After almost five years and 70,000 miles on the odometer, Midnight still thrills me every time I drive her. Gas mileage has been great. Highway driving was smooth. And she is tough. A traffic cone caught her on the nose and there was only a minor crack to her bumper. The only reason I am trading her in at the end of the year is I finally have a good enough credit rating to afford a brand new car. I can say without a doubt, I will be getting a new Charger. Dodge gave me a great product and I will remain loyal, possibly for life. I hate to see Midnight go. But after seeing one in deep blue, I fell in love with the Charger all over again. Only a Challenger could possibly change my mind. I think Ill call my new car...Luna.

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  10 Days Experiance Rental in California Mountians - 2015 Dodge Journey
  By Dave P - August 4 - 8:35 pm

  Recently rented a 2015 Journey LTD with V-6 for a 10 day vacation to the Sierra Nevada area of California Sequoia/Yosemite/Tahoe. Traveled one-half of the trip on inter-state or four-lane highways and the other on winding mountain roads with 35 MPH speed limits and grades of 6 to 12%. In total, we traveled 1,301 miles and averaged 21.02 MPG. The car was slightly over-powered on the freeway and slightly under-powered in the mountains no complaints. Shifting was smooth and concise. The seating was very comfortable. Handling was better than expected almost a good as a sedan. Overall, pleasantly surprised. I drive a Toyota now, and would seriously considered - depending upon the reliability rating.

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  dodge magnum 05 de junk - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By terry fart - August 4 - 8:01 am

  05 dodge magnum shifter gets stuck in park due to cheap you plastic in shift assembly. Had it repaired at dealer for 390 but still pump brakes to get it in gear. Engine rebuilt at 60,000 miles due to lifter failure and I use synthetic 05w20 oil. This is my 3rd dodge product, never buy another. I see why they got fined 105 million

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  Most Ridiculous Car Ever Made - 2008 Dodge Caliber
  By Neal Buck - August 3 - 2:10 pm

  I cant believe this car was ever made. Its utterly ridiculous. First and foremost, the acceleration is practically non existent. The harder you push down the acceleration pedal, the slower the car accelerates. I think the issue is more with the automatic transmission than the actual torque, though, because it often feels like the car is starting from second gear and then realizes its not supposed to do that and jerkily downshifts to first. The suspension is a sort of princess and the pea situation with every little bump in the road translating into a spleen-rattling affair. From the outside, the Caliber looks like a spacious family car, but the inside is fully taken up with the dashboard, which is roughly the size of an eight-seat dining room table. The front seats have a fair amount of leg room underneath the dashboard, but any backseat passengers dont fare as well. And good luck fitting more than one kids car seat back there. You would think they could have taken a couple of feet out of the dash to provide more room for the back seats. I can only assume the engineer responsible for the Calibers design envisioned serving a large meal on the dashboard. There can be no other reason for that design. I have only two good things to say about this car. First, we have had to do no major repairs on it since we got it. But I think thats about to change. I believe the suspension and transmission will be requiring repairs before long. Second, the storage space is pretty decent, especially when you lay down the back seats. Overall, I wouldnt wish this car on anyone. Its two small perks do not compensate for a host of design failures and automotive mishaps. This car is actually really funny when you give it much thought. Its like the engineers planned it as a practical joke.

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  Better than the competition - 2015 Dodge Durango
  By Patrick Williams - August 3 - 11:29 am

  Dodge has come a long way during the last 15 years. A quality product with technological advances putting them on a par and in allot of cases ahead of the competition. They are listening to the consumers in what they want in a SUV. We get numerous comments on how nice the Durango looks and when people ride with us they cant believe its a Dodge. Kudos to Dodge and their improvements over the years.

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  2015 Dodge Charger rt road&track package - 2015 Dodge Charger
  By Guadalupe cisneros - August 2 - 12:46 am

  Im having a lot of problems with suspension noise and braking car just have 2k miles I need to take back too dealer ship Im pissed off never thought that I would have this problems with a brand new car and also a lot of brake dust