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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  2001 Neon, I bought new - 2001 Dodge Neon
  By gtohrl - March 24 - 1:50 pm

  No major problems with this unit. Typical maintenance, tires and battery, really didnt need one yet but replaced for peace of mind, and that is about it. Replaced all four struts, added brace bars front and rear and added inserts to the motor mounts. Radio went bad after 6yrs. Easily replaced. Has paid for its self as far as I am concerned! The whole vehicle, I mean to say.

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  saved by my charger - 2008 Dodge Charger
  By debbie - March 24 - 8:28 am

  car was in accident hit front by an suv car took total impact and side door on drivers side hit and I walked out of the car without a scratch i was going about 15mph slowing to make turn in rain.AWD kicked in and i was untouched dash was totally in tack airbags went off would like to find another AWD Charger This car saved my life it was a beauty had leather interior/sunroof red with a black racing stripe I loved it Great gas mileage we drove from Allentown, PA to Scituate, RI on one tank of gas!!

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  great - 2008 Dodge Viper
  By fred - March 23 - 11:43 pm

  its is a good vehicle and great handling and stuff like that. gas mileage is ok but not the best of the best

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  Very impressed - 2008 Dodge Charger
  By EARROL - March 23 - 1:04 pm

  This is a great car! Was trying to get into Hemi, but with gas and price difference of 10 grand , I thought twice.This car has excellent power HO six is great and always a head turner, with a air intake and exhaust , pushing close to 300hp, but saving gas with a six cylinder!

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  I like mine! - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By NitroBilly - March 23 - 3:03 am

  Purchased November 2006, only been in for warranty service 2 times for TSB recalls. Other than that, I love it! Everybody just STARES AND COMPLIMENTS my BLACK Nitro. Mine is blinged out! Fuel economy is average, but I cant complain really. It has been absolutely reliable, and is strong as stone! Its a beautiful SUV for the dollar, I just hope DCX (Chrysler) doesnt stop manufacturing it. Get one!

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  by ted - 2007 Dodge Charger
  By ted garrett - March 22 - 6:04 pm

  have owned 1969 charger {383ci} and a 1973 charger {400ci} 1964 plymouth sport fury {383ci} a 2006 charger 5.7. every one of these were great. im 63 yrs and just bought the 6.1SRT. i put a $500.00 deposit at the police station just in case.

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  Very nice and priced great - 2008 Dodge Caliber
  By Dave - March 21 - 11:16 am

  We just got this car last weekend. We looked at a bunch of different cars. It impressed us with the room and comfort it offered. Plenty of power and rides great. Fuel mileage is very impressive.

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  transmission - 2002 Dodge Stratus
  By south carolina - March 20 - 8:43 am

  I bought the 4 dr 02 sedan Dodge Stratus just a little over a month ago. Now, the transmission has gone out. You all were right when posting about the transmission in this car. Glad I got to the two year warranty, Dont have to pay a dime. The car runs great, other than the transmission, everything is good.

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  The 300,000 Mile Beast - 1993 Dodge Shadow
  By Czarina - March 19 - 4:14 pm

  The title of my review says it all. I am a 22 yr old college student who inherited the car as a hs grad gift in 02. My dad bought the car brand new in 93. This car always started, never died, and felt like a tank (I hit my 53 yr old iron/stone based mailbox @ 30mph day I got my permit, blasted it to pieces, and only put a small dent on the front bumper .. keep in mind plows have hit the mailbox tons of times ...) I miss this car, orig. auto. transmission started to go at 274,283 miles, and continued to run until it reached 275,963, then it froze up. I replaced it with a used one, and drove the car to 300,000 original miles b4 the used tranny decided to die on me ....

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  Sound vehicle - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By bradleyk98 - March 19 - 11:08 am

  I had purchased this vehicle in 2002 and have never had a mechanical issue. I do my own maintenance and this vehicle is tough. The only thing we have done is tires brakes battery and shocks. These are expected things for a 120,000 mile vehicle. I am planning on this vehicle lasting our family of six (the third seat is great) at least until it has 200,000 plus on it. I would definitely recommend this product to anyone who wants a tough reliable vehicle capable of handling any of your needs.