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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  tire problems - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By 2puglvr - January 16 - 3:35 pm

  I love my 07 Caliber but the tires that came on the car are awful and seem to be very noisy. I have been rotating them every 5000 miles when i get the oil changed and they are getting worse. I took it back to the dealer after 3000 miles to have the front end looked at and all checked out fine. It didnt need an alignment and all lubricants were fine also. My friend got an S/T model after i bought mine and raved how wonderful my car was. She has also had the same problems.

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  THIS CAR IS BAD - 2004 Dodge Neon
  By kate - January 16 - 11:52 am

  Lets put it this way... the value depreciation on this car is a joke.... I bought the car a year ago for 10 grand.... now... its worth 4 at the most IF its in excellent condition... which ofcourse its not because these cars fall apart easily. And now im stuck paying 215 bucks a month for a car that I hate. I cant get rid of it.... id be throwing away 6 grand. My last car was a 1998 honda civic coupe and i hardly had to fix anything on that car. AND it was 6 years older then my neon... But somehow i am constantly throwing down more money just to keep this p.o.s. running. NEVER BUY THIS CAR!!!! I WISH SOMEONE WOULD HAVE TOLD ME THIS A YEAR AGO!!! I OFFICIALLY HATE DODGE!

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  Its been good, but.... - 2001 Dodge Caravan
  By Bob - January 16 - 8:22 am

  Purchased a mini-van because of growing family. Had an 85 Caravan and loved it so I came back. Ive enjoyed driving it but over the years it seems that something always needs a fix. Dealership pricing is outrageous! Two tie bars $400 vs $200 at local shop. Brakes close to $300.00.

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  Horrible rental!!! - 2009 Dodge Caliber
  By BunyLuvr - January 15 - 4:58 pm

  UGH! I rented this car on a trip recently and chose it because I love small hatchbacks I drive a 2008 VW Rabbit at home. My college-age son, who couldnt care less about cars, immediately noticed the poor quality interior compared to our Rabbit. "Is this an American car?" he asked - and I doubt he would not say that about a newer Ford. Driving this thing is not pleasurable after driving German cars, either. Its just adequately powered, and the steering is not responsive at all. The car gets points for exterior styling, and I assume its fairly reliable, but if youre looking for a small hatch, check out the Mazda3, new Golfs, Honda Fit, etc. before saddling yourself with this blah-burger

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  better looking than any mini-van - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By graham - January 15 - 3:29 pm

  I had wanted one for years and finally bought it after selling my Durango. great looks and a great ride to boot. Tons of room for a family of 4 which saved me from the soul sucking mini- van option. I had tested a 2.7L v6, but it was not powerful enough for that big of a car. The 3.5L has plenty of power. The RWD was a concern in the snow, but the first big snow this year disproved that concern. the car did great with common sense driving. Too bad Dodge decided to drop the Magnum. At least they should have replaced it with the 300C wagon thats available in Europe.

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  best truck ever!!!! - 1998 Dodge Dakota
  By 72 340 demon - January 15 - 2:55 pm

  ive owned this truck since 2001, with 24000 miles on it, since then ive only had to change the front break pads once. and a tune up. im currently at 123,000 miles runs and drives like the day i got it, i get 24 miles to the gallon, with the help of a tonneau cover, 3.9 magnum never lets me down on power. s-10s and rangers cant compare to the power.

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  Took My Abuse - 1996 Dodge Neon
  By Cranky Teen - January 15 - 2:44 pm

  My cranky teen just went past 125,000 miles. It lasted through 11 years of spotty oil changes and benign neglect, but I may have to finally let it go. Had 2 major repairs in that time: Electronics replaced (controlling gauges, radio, etc.) and head gasket repair. Had to rig a fix when the plastic shifter connections broke. Now the transmission/clutch is slowly going, and it stalled on the highway last week. Air conditioner has to be refilled each year and does not last long. Struts gone last year. Paint, 3 speakers, wheel covers, and outside plastic door trim went long ago. She was ugly but got me where I was going now its just not worth the cost to fix.

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  Lets be Honest. - 2010 Dodge Challenger
  By BootCamp - January 15 - 6:35 am

  No one buys an SRT8 Challenger for fuel mileage. This is a niche car for a specific customer base. This car is about image and performance, and it doesnt disappoint. Incredible exterior styling, functional (read - not cramped) interior, excellent fit and finish, great ride and handling, and heavily bolstered seats. 425 factory HP and still 23 mpg overall average with the 6 speed - less if you use all 425 ponies more often than "on occasion" - which it begs you to do whenever you get the opportunity. This car benefits from its Mercedes designed underpinnings. It looks like a 1970 Challenger, but handling and acceleration far exceed the classics. A true American Modern Muscle Car.

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  decent truck - 2005 Dodge Dakota
  By chris - January 14 - 9:55 pm

  over all its been a good truck it is what i expected from a mid size truck i have had it 5 years only one problem at 20000 miles the tie rods went bad that was a little disappointing to have that happen so soon especially when i never use it off road and the paint jobs are very poorly done scratches easily

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  Transmission Unreliable - 2007 Dodge Caliber
  By cheevo - January 14 - 10:53 am

  This car ran just fine for the first 2 years of ownership. then suddenly the automatic transaxle overheat light came on and the car was forced into "limp mode" which doesnt allow the car to go any faster than 10-15mph. ive read a lot of reviews saying people have to get the trans replaced at a cost of approx $4000. i personally dont have money for that. BAD CAR with HORRIBLY depreciated value. would NEVER buy again