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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  Great Truck - 1997 Dodge Dakota
  By Richard - January 29 - 6:55 am

  I bought this truck with 200 miles on it and have loved putting every mile on it. This truck has never given me any problems. The only maintenance that I have ever done has been due to normal wear and tear. Replaced oil pump and water pump around 200,000 miles. I have taken this truck from SC to HI to WA and finally here to Va. I cant say enough how much I have enjoyed this truck. God has been so good to me with it. I would definitely buy another one as soon as I see fit to replace this one. Maybe at around 500,000 miles.

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  Would not recommend - 2005 Dodge Caravan
  By Ruth - January 28 - 5:52 pm

  I really needed a vehicle and preferred a van due to all the running around I had to do. However, buyer beware. Was not aware that Dodge still built 2.2L size engines. MY MISTAKE. What a piece of crap. Brakes have had to be replaced 3 times. The drums rotated, the shocks are bad (off the lot) the transmission modulator evidently doesnt last more than 28,000 miles and on our second one. Airbags didnt deploy when we hit a deer and had almost 6,000 dollars damage - otherwise we would have been able to total it. Heater doesnt work all the time. The dealer even sold me a bogus warranty. Again women... be aware when buying your own vehicle for the first time. Take someone who knows. Avoid DODGE

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  Gas Hog - 2006 Dodge Dakota
  By gonz2479 - January 28 - 4:34 pm

  All I can say is this vehicle gets 12 MPG on mostly highway while keeping it below 2,000 rpms. The window sticker is far from accurate. Buyer beware.

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  AWESOME - 2003 Dodge Viper
  By Joe - January 28 - 3:39 pm

  Ive had this car for almost 7 years, I still have goosebumps everytime I drive it...I LOVE THIS CAR!!!

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  Best Truck Ive ever owned! - 2006 Dodge Durango
  By cd493 - January 28 - 2:38 pm

  This truck is great. I just bought it about a month ago. It is has the Hemi engine which is the best preforming truck I have ever driven. It can tow like hell and it is so comfortable I wouldnt even know I am towing anything. If you are in the market for an suv This is a great option.

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  2004 Dodge Stratus - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By No More Chryslers - January 28 - 7:20 am

  Vehicle has constant over heating problem It cant be corrected for long even by the dealership(s) that it has been taken to. Constantly gets air bound and then the heater blows cold air. vehicle shuts off on its own without warning and techs reflash computer but it doesnt correct problem.Vehicle is going in for another front end alignment after a few thousand miles. Vehicle cannot be aligned as there are no possible adjustments (per the tech) without installing a front end alignment kit at a cost of 600 dollars. This was done by a certified Chrysler tech and as I stated it going in again for an alignment. Vehicle has 36,000 miles and wouldnt think you would run into these problems.

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  dodge caliber 07 r/t 5 speed - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By angelina - January 28 - 5:19 am

  I have had my car for almost 2 years I have only had 1 problem which was 1 of my ball joints might have to go get the other 1 checked on just in case but other then that I love my car as well as interior and exterior it runs great I have took it on the road for more then 3 hr drives at a time at a time and I have had no problems with it other then the ball joint not with any of the problems people have put on there reports with this car I have only put about 19,000 miles on it as of now.

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  Seduced by style.... - 2008 Dodge Magnum
  By Waggineer - January 27 - 10:51 am

  I purchased an 8 month old Magnum SXT with well less than 10K on the clock. I fell in love with the looks of the car and the roominess and cargo hauling capability. The car has a good, solid highway ride and decent handling for a large car. The downside has been very spotty quality. Issues have included a new torque converter at 9K, leaky rear diff at 12K, an annoying squeak in the rear of the cabin that the dealer has "fixed" 3 times, and a very "clunky" 4 speed tranny. The visibility is really annoying as well. While I really like the car Im wondering about the long term reliability given the big ticket warranty repairs Ive needed.

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  Well refined Hot Rod... - 2007 Dodge Charger
  By nealuss - January 26 - 10:20 pm

  I have owned this car for about 2 years now and so far no regrets. I spend a lot of time in it driving 40+ miles to work almost every day. So far I have no real complaints. Its a comfortable commuter with a more than adequate passing gear and a well equipped sports car at the same time. I would recommend the 3.5L to those who arent concerned with performance, but if you are a car nut like me you should go no lower than the R/T.

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  Good.. For the most part. - 2004 Dodge Stratus
  By ZachJ - January 26 - 11:54 am

  My strat was my first car. I got it a few months ago. Ive only put about three thousand miles on it and I have to say I love it. I wasnt planning on buying a Stratus to begin with. But it was there, in my price range, looked nice, so I sat in it. Sold. Loved the inside. I took it for a test drive and fell in love with it for a second time. There are a couple flaws, but all cars have some.