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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  Mommy Mistakes - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Sarah23 - January 25 - 8:52 pm

  I bought this car thinking it would be fantastic for when I had a baby, boy was I WRONG. The infant car seat made the front seats sit so close to the dash I could barely drive, now with the upright her feet have to squish between seats. Ive had to replace the tires the defrost makes an awful smell the brakes have been replaced twice. I went to start my car,lights and radio came on but it just clicked. To no surprise, this happens to calibers and now I have to buy a new battery for a three year old vehicle. Its awful in the snow, I slid of the road with my newborn several times with brand new tires! DONT BUY THIS CAR!!!!! Biggest mistake Ive ever made! P.S. the "cooler" doesnt cool.

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  MY SOUL MATE - 2009 Dodge Charger
  By Jeylo2 - January 25 - 5:19 pm

  I scoped this car out for months, read all the reviews, drove several models, but Im absolutely thrilled over my "CHARGER". So far it has been everything I anticipated it to be and more. Im not a drag racer and I know a little something about cars to go with the 3.5 V-6 HIGH-OUTPUT at least. All around the board this is the car for me. My kids will get this car and still be cool and safe. I was a little hesitant about the rear wheel thingy, but I found that if I just respect the vehicle, it will definitely return the favor. This is definitely my soul mate.

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  Never had any trouble - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Steven Graham - January 25 - 5:09 pm

  The Calibur SXT with 2.0 L engine has been a good buy. I have never had any trouble in 45,000 miles. Replaced front tires 5,000 miles ago with the rear still with plenty of tread. Love the sun roof. The cooler in the glove box is a joke. Just normal maintenance like oil and filter every 3,000 miles and one air filter. One poor quality is limited rear vision with blind spots. Otherwise I love it and would buy again. If you are looking for get up and go, look elsewhere.

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  one complaint - 2009 Dodge Challenger
  By Bill - January 25 - 2:19 pm

  I could not afford the RT so I bought the SE cause I had to have it. It is a beautiful car in every respect. I will soon be installing some upgrades, duals, air charger. V chip. It will then sound as good as it looks and go a little better. This car has the 18 inch aluminum wheels and I have no plans to change them.

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  Bad choice/ waste of money - 2004 Dodge Intrepid
  By Southern32 - January 25 - 1:37 pm

  I purchased this vechile thinking I was getting my money worth, bad choice. I have spent much more $$ then its worth, problem after problem this car is always in and out of the shop. I wish I had just purchased and old car for cash. The transmission goes into 1st gear causing me to pull over, shut the car off and then re-starting it, nothing but a hassle. So ready to get raid of it.

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  2009 Challenger R/T - 2010 Dodge Challenger
  By Ralph Medlin - January 25 - 11:42 am

  I purchased my Challenger in January of 2009. Chrysler nailed the look of the 1970 model. Shortly after I took the car home, the windows would drop down after the door was opened, but would not roll back up. It did this several times. The dealership was unable to duplicate the problem. The rear taillight panel had a two inch crack in it which had to be replaced. Some of the body panels and rear taillights did not line up. The lights could not be adjusted. I enjoyed driving the car, although I did not like the feel of the engine when cruising at low speeds. It felt like the engine was holding back. This particular car would spin the back tires, but not for long. I sold the car 6 mths later

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  Dodge all the way - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By Joe - January 25 - 9:14 am

  My 02 Mustang died the last month of my 5 year loan. I was never happy with Ford products and will never buy another Ford as long as I live. This is the third Dodge vehicle Ive owned and I could not be happier. I bought it used with 1700 miles. I now have over 72k and have not had one major problem. I noticed a lag in acceleration initially and read on some Dodge forums that the car needed a flash upgrade. Once that was done (Free from the dealer) the car handled much better. The original Firestones are very loud. I replaced them at 70k with Yokohamas and am amazed at the difference.

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  good van - 2002 Dodge Caravan
  By Bill - January 24 - 12:51 am

  I have had very good luck with this van. So far 11000 no major problems

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  The review of the SRT8 Hemi - 2009 Dodge Charger
  By Carman - January 22 - 10:19 pm

  I have test drove the 2009 Dodge Charger(sxt)250hp it was very nice, but it didn`t have enough horsepower too it so my dealer introduce me to the 6.1 hemi V8(SRT8)425 horsepower. I test drove it and the same day it was park in my back yard.

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  Loved this minivan - 1996 Dodge Caravan
  By Suzie - January 22 - 7:34 pm

  My uncle loved his 1996 Dodge Caravan and gave it to me when he bought a brand new one the year before last. This minivan has been great. It drives itself and has been as reliable as any older car would be. I regularly got 27 mpg and the seats are really comfortable. This car was old enough to have personality, but if you dont mind windsheild wipers turning themselves on now and again and the loud knocking noise coming from the glove box, then this could be the car for you. Ours, unfortunately, just hit the end of its road. But while I was reading reviews about new vans, I thought Id write a good review for our old one.