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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  Attitude of its own - 2011 Dodge Journey
  By badcarday1 - February 21 - 1:28 pm

  The car in general is the perfect car for my family. Unfoutunatly the last month, the Front passenger door refuses to close. I believe it is the cold weather causing something to freeze up and cause a died door syndrom. After about 20-30 minutes the door "resets" itself. It has been to the dealer four times now and they dont understand what is wrong. They have contacted a Dodge engineer, they did what he instructed and it agian is acting up. Just about feed up, rather riduculous that I have to have my seven year old hold the door as I hold him to get this thing to the shop 20 miles away, for no one to know what the problem is. I can not be alone on this one, am I?

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  I just got it. 1.4L turbo - 2013 Dodge Dart
  By kendaddy - February 21 - 12:04 pm

  This is a nice car, and the lease they have now is great. I got the 1.4L turbo. It is a little sluggish of the line, but has plenty of power. Ive been averaging 33-34mpg in it. I got the automatic. It takes some getting use to, but is fun to drive once you get the hang of it. I have no idea really about Reliability, I have 300 miles on it.

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  1.4 liter turbo Rallye with 6-speed manual - 2013 Dodge Dart
  By helilog - February 20 - 2:29 am

  Have owned for 6000 miles, averaging mid 30s mpg overall after accounting for the dash readout error. Turbo engine is gutsy and quick to rev when on boost. Turbo lag is a one-count by the time you count to two the lag is gone. Car has a couple of mild interior buzzes that come and go according to road texture. An exterior trim piece or two are slightly misaligned. Car is good for us for a 500 mile day but the comfy seat cushions could be a bit longer in length to be perfect. Quiet interior, smooth ride, great handling, strong easily modulated brakes, quick and tactile steering. Roomy back seat. Big trunk and the back seat folds down. No maintenance issues.

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  A Great Purchase - 2005 Dodge Stratus
  By mason_mm - February 10 - 8:11 pm

  This is my 5th car in 3 years needless to say, I have terrible luck with cars. However, this puppy was the best decision Ive ever made with cars. The engine has good get up and go, the clutch is pleasantly shallow and the performance overall is great for a 4-cyl. The interior is great- the special edition with 2-tone leather is a great touch. The exterior design is the best Dodge/Chrysler had done in a long time, and I dont think any of their newer vehicles even look as good. If they still made these, I would buy one again and again.

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  Love this car! - 1994 Dodge Caravan
  By jeffrm - January 23 - 12:51 am

  Ive put 230,000 miles on this van since I bought it new. Its been fantastic. As a geophysicist I carry lots of heavy equipment in place of the middle seat. I can easily work at a small desk I velcroed in. It has been super reliable. The only repairs have been the usual tranny problem, a water pump and starter (rebuilt). I still prefer driving it over our newer Outback wagon. I like sitting jp higher than in a regiular car. Its a good size, too. Our dogs like it. Canoes and sheets of plywood fit on the roof.

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  SuperFunCar - 2012 Dodge Challenger
  By lawnman24 - January 12 - 9:39 pm

  I traded a 2012 Ford Fusion for this car and I am extremely pleased with my decision. The MSRP was a little over 30K and I was able to purchase for 27K which is very reasonable for the features the Challenger has. I currently have 4000 miles on the car and have enjoyed every mile! It is black with chrome 20s which make it look great! The car is very comfortable as long as you are in the front. I normally drive on a 150 mile round trip and average around 30 mpg. I drive up many hills and there is always power to spare. The car handles great around curves. I have Sirius radio and really enjoy that. This is a Great college car! I have to hide keys from my mom.

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  Challenger 2013 SXT Rally Redline - 2013 Dodge Challenger
  By 1publicservant - January 9 - 1:39 pm

  I traded in my 2010 Mustang Premium coupe for a 2013 SXT Challenger due to a defect discovered in the Mustang after my warranty conveniently expired. Its a very different ride. I got the rally redline package with all of the bells and whistles. Black with over the top red stripes and 20" tires with red rims. Leather, heated seats, navigation, BA speakers in the trunk, sun roof, reverse sensor to compensate for the blind spot when backing up, proximity keys and touch to start. Very comfortable ride, good pick-up in a straight line. Its got chunky handling around corners at higher speeds- my mustang really gripped the road. Handles much better than the ford in inclement weather. Im happy.

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  FRONT END FACTORY TOLERANCE AT LIMIT - 2004 Dodge Caravan
  By kwethington1 - December 13 - 7:39 pm

  This is our second Plymouth/Dodge van. We bought both new. The 98 was great. This van will not align without changing the toe-in to make up for the left veering. The front right side of the axle, is at the factory limit of degrees forward of ideal, the the front left side axle is at the factory limit for back of ideal. Consequently, when aligned, properly, the car is 3 or 4 degrees out of straight and veers left, a lot. The dealership kept it running straight when it was under warranty. It left the factory, driving straight. Both had to set the toe-in off to do this.

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  2.4l l4 sxt - 2010 Dodge Avenger
  By fletchums - December 13 - 4:10 pm

  well, for starters, i have an 09 rio lx and an 04 explorer eddie bauer ed....compared to those vehicles, i wouldnt hate...i love my avenger, its a good reliable vehicle. i understand that its transmission is out of date and the engine is low powered but for the price i got it and the reason i picked it, its great...its one of those cars where you like it for the ride and not the power, like someone said already, if you wanted something fast you wouldnt have looked a 4 banger...the vehicle is a one of a kind beast, i have had no problems with the A/C or the brake lights, i did though buy it after it came out by 2 years, all i can say is it was worth the money i spent on it.

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  Dodge Dart wish it was better - 2013 Dodge Dart
  By savageman - December 12 - 8:01 pm

  Bought the Dart rallye with a 1.4l turbo. From the time we bought the vehicle, it has turbo lag. The engine is not smooth in torque or horsepower and in cold weather running cold is the worst. In order to function at all, it needs to warm up. Ive had my dart in three times for the same problem. It is getting ridiculous and am not happy with Dodge Engineers ignoring this obvious problem that everyone is talking about on the forums.