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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  Built Tough as Nails - 2007 Dodge Durango
  By nubnub - February 27 - 5:17 pm

  We bought the Durango especially for its build inside & out. Had no idea it also came with the Flex Fuel. What a great addition for us. I love the power & it has excelent turning radius. I do think the storage however, is very small in the console & the glove box for such a big SUV.

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  Great car - 1997 Dodge Avenger
  By kay - February 25 - 6:11 pm

  I purchased this car in 98 when it had 3000 mi on it. It is currently 2008 and I now have 81000. This has been a great, reliable car! I cant say enough about the car. I have never had any mechanical issues and have always kept up with routine maintenance. The car is still peppy when accelerating, gets good gas mileage, and the exterior style turns heads. Not many of these cars around, but after 11 years, it still turns heads!

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  Love the Magnum - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By garbroo - February 25 - 9:53 am

  What a pleasure to drive. This baby just wants to run, and if you let it the fun doubles. Great handling and the ride is superb. After driving a 2001 Intrepid RT driving this is more that double the fun.

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  I love my Nitro - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By bignchuy - February 24 - 11:25 am

  I absolutely love the SUV. Fun to drive, comfortable for my legs. Ive been looking for an SUV with comfort for about a year and this is the car for anyone with a problem with leg room for the driver

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  And They Quit Making Them - 2005 Dodge Magnum
  By pmedic - February 23 - 10:20 am

  I have throughly enjoyed this car. I added a K&N FIPK and Magnaflow mufflers and have been completely satisfied. I cant believe that Dodge quit making them. Im trying to find a 2008. Wake up Dodge, no wonder you are having problems. MPG is not bad, I can get 26 MPG if I keep my foot out of it. It has a good carrying capacity and also looks good. They have no other vehicle that can compete on this level. If I cant get a 2008 I only know that my next vehicle will not be a Dodge. Get one if you can an enjoy both worlds.

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  Best SUV ever - 2005 Dodge Durango
  By Best Ever - February 21 - 7:31 pm

  This suv is the best SUV I have ever owned. I have driven a Chevy Suburban, Jeep Liberty and other sedans. Those were good, but this Durango has an extrememly smooth drive, powerful engine (without hemi), comfortable seats and good sound system. I love that the back doors open so wide which makes for easy storage and entrance. I have never had a single problem with this vehicle. A month after I bought the durango, my wife drove it and she bought one! Good to travel in and has great pick up. Also great in the Cleveland snow! Love it!

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  Good at everything, master of none! - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By 2KR/T - February 20 - 1:53 pm

  Ive owned this Durango for quite some time. Its given me no problems outside of regular maintenance. I tow occasionally and haul quite a bit of goods. Just passed 80,000miles and still going strong. I get 18.3mpg at 55mph and 16mpg at 65mph! Not bad for a beast thats rated at 12mpg city and 16mpg highway. Keep in mind the EPA, at the time, rated vehicles on the highway at 55mph! Only problem that is annoying is that in colder weather the mechanism inside the rear hatch that controls the lock rusts and sticks. I have to spray it with lube every few months. Takes about 20min, so its not too bad.

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  Bold Statement - 2007 Dodge Nitro
  By J. L. Griffin - February 20 - 12:24 pm

  I purchased the 2007 Dodge Nitro in May of 2007 and love it! I gave the Nitro a 10 on everything but gas mileage. This is the first new vehicle that I have purchased and I could not be happier with my decision. I kept my 2000 BMW 323 Ci but drive the Nitro 90% of the time. Dodge has given the Nitro a bold design, inside and out. Excellent performance/handling and its so fun to drive. You wont be disapointed with this purchase!

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  Fast and Furious killer foundation - 2003 Dodge Neon
  By celsius - February 20 - 10:00 am

  The sole point of buying this car was to get the fastest stock vehicle for my money (limit $30,000). The looking started a couple of years ago, and covered the RSX, RSX Type-S, WRX, WRX STi, and the new Z. With 0-60 from 5.4 - 5.9, and 14 sec 1/4 mi @ 102, the SRT-4 blew everything else away in its price range ($19,500), let alone $10000 above. Now I can have the dealership install the future stage 3 Mopar kit which will take it over 400hp and it will still be under the 7yr/70,000 warranty. Warning: this car cruises at 100mph like it was 60, and doesnt even strain at 140. Rock on Dodge!

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  A great SUV - 2000 Dodge Durango
  By How-Buds - February 17 - 12:59 am

  Bought the truck with 15000 miles when she was exactly three years old! I have owned her for three years and eleven months. Truck has been awesome, only issue is the A/C unit is too small for the inside cab. The unit only holds 1.6 pounds of refrigerant. Other then that issue, I would buy again!